University of Connecticut
PAE-4: Sustainability Plan

The University's Climate Action Plan goes beyond emission reduction strategies to provide guidance on long-term climate change framework that encompasses Impact, Mitigation, and Adaptation goals. Over 250 individuals from interdisciplinary UConn departments and the surrounding community were involved in the creation of, and updates to, the Climate Action Plan, which is treated as a living guidance document.

Between 2007 and 2008, The University adopts its first Sustainable Design & Construction Policy, establishing the LEED Silver rating as a minimum performance requirement for all new construction projects exceeding $5 million in costs, and major renovations. Major improvements are made to the University’s recycling program, including the investment of $100,000 towards new containers, postering and campus-wide outreach and education efforts. The School of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the UConn Biofuel Consortium host a two day sustainable energy symposium, bringing state and federal policy makers, businesses, and research groups together to discuss alternative energy. The Office of Environmental Policy and the Vice-Provost's office work together to participate in the national Focus the Nation event. More than 3,000 UConn students as well as staff, faculty and community members participate. The event includes a two-day global warming teach-in with classes from a variety of academic disciplines devoted to discussing climate change. Other events include a free showing of the movie, The 11th Hour, a webcast of The 2% Solution, and a faculty panel discussion. UConn students take their concerns to Congress. Students from the EcoHusky student group and ConnPIRG join over 5,000 other youth in Washington D.C. for Power Shift, a conference which empowers youth to take action against climate change. Students attend three days of conferences and events which culminate with a trip to the United States Capitol Building to speak directly with legislators and rally in the front mall. The Office of Environmental Policy and the Town of Mansfield partner to host a conference on climate change. The conference features faculty experts, as well as state and town officials, who discussed the science and policy of climate change. On March 25, 2008, President Michael Hogan signs the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment committing the university to establishing an action plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. An eight-member Climate Action Task Force is appointed to oversee the development of a campus Climate Action Plan. UConn Dining Services initiates campus-wide “trayless” dining and begins producing local honey from a campus apiary. The Office of Environmental Policy and EcoHusky partner with the Dining Services Local Routes Program for the first combined “Spring Fling,” the University’s annual Earth Day celebration. The event draws thousands throughout the day to Fairfield Way in the campus center. UConn hires a Climate Action Plan Project Manager to assist in its climate planning efforts. The Climate Action Task Force and associated workgroups meet regularly to develop a campus Climate Action Plan. Student interns in the Office of Environmental Policy develop a set of Sustainable Office Guidelines to encourage students, faculty and staff to incorporate principles of sustainability into all aspects of their daily work environments. To complement this effort the OEP begins offering an in-person training program for interested offices and departments. EcoMadness, the University’s annual inter-residence hall energy and water conservation contest, occurs during September and October. First launched in 2006, the contest now includes all freshman-dominated residence halls. As part of the competition, student volunteers hand out free CFL light bulbs and go door-to-door to talk with their peers about their carbon footprint. The EcoHusky Student Group organizes a "GreenWeek" during November 2011 to raise campus environmental awareness. To complement the Climate Action Plan drafting process, each day is themed to match a particular CATF workgroup's initiatives. A Student Climate Action Summit is held to educate students about the University's ACUPCC efforts and to solicit their input, and is repeated again as part of the Campus Sustainability Day celebration in the fall of 2012.This peer-to-peer event included student-led brainstorming activities and discussions. UConn further integrates sustainability into the curriculum and educational experience through the development and release of the University’s 2009-2014 academic plan, Our World, Our People, Our Future, which identifies the environment as one of three focus areas of excellence. As of March 2012, the University of Connecticut renewed its commitment to campus sustainability and climate action through impact assessment, mitigation and adaptation. The University signed The American College & University’s 2010 Climate Action Plan, specific to the 2012 Climate Adaptation Amendment to the University’s Climate Action Plan. Through this commitment, the University sponsors “CIMA” (Climate Impact Mitigation & Adaptation), as part of its ongoing effort to bring issues of sustainability and climate change into focus as UConn. CIMA (2012): The first time the University hosted the week-long event to renew its commitment to climate change and adaptation. The President of the University signed an updated adaptability commitment expanding on UConn’s existing Climate Action Plan. CIMA 2 (2013): This year’s focus of Climate Impact Mitigation and Adaptation has been to incorporate a theme “Our Environment: A Dialogue on Change,” with a focus on teach-ins across all academic departments. In order to reach a larger audience and engage a wider discussion, faculty are provided with pertinent instructional materials that can be incorporated into their class during the teach-in for students with topics of climate change and how it relates to their academic discipline. Other major developments related to the University’s infrastructure include the recently constructed buildings/additions that have achieved LEED certification standards. LEED Gold Certification: Laurel Hall (67,000 sq. ft. classroom building opened in 2011 including a 6,500 sq. ft. green roof); McMahon Dining Hall (Expansion and renovation with 14,000 sq. ft.) and Oak Hall (132,000 sq. ft.) is waiting final approval for Gold certification but should be achieved by year end 2013. Other infrastructure improvements include microgrid proposals for the Depot Campus at the University. Currently the Depot Campus houses a 500kW fuel cell and a solar array to power various “critical needs” facilities in the event of an extended grid power outage. UConn research faculty and staff interested in clean energy and climate adaptation are teaming with the CT Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) and various corporate partners in applying for state funding to establish a clean energy microgrid. This microgrid would have the ability to “island” or function autonomously from the grid – an important climate adaptation strategy for resiliency and emergency services needed after more frequent and severe weather events, like Superstorm Sandy.

Annual review of goals and progress by the Environmental Policy Advisory Council (EPAC)

The University's Climate Action Plan serves as the guide for long-term sustainability iniitiatives. The CAP was drafted in 2007, and was last amended in 2012 to add a new Adaptation section.