University of Georgia
PAE-4: Sustainability Plan

19 faculty and staff members were a part of the "Working Group on Sustainability," the group responsible for the outlining and development of the 2009 Campus Sustainability Plan. Departments including Grounds, Energy Services, Food Services, University Architects, Office of the Vice President, and more were involved in an open collaboration with faculty from a number of different colleges within the University including Ecology, Journalism, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Forestry, and more. The stakeholders involved with the creation of this plan were purposely selected across the University in order to create a diverse group who could successfully establish a plan that would encompass all of the University's operations.

The Office of Sustainability Strategic Plan has a number of short and long term goals. 1-Year Plans include the following: WATER  Continue water conservation efforts and develop a standard for rainwater harvesting systems through coordination with the Office of University Architects, PPD Energy Services and PPD Operations & Maintenance.  Enhance on-campus research opportunities in the area water resource conservation and improvement. ENERGY & CLIMATE  Partner with Physical Plant divisions and departments across campus to target reduction in electrical energy use through facility improvements, education and behavior modification.  Work with academic and operational departments to inventory UGA greenhouse gas emissions and develop a plan for reduction. WASTE REDUCTION  Collaborate with PPD Services Department and others to minimize landfilled waste and increase the campus recycling rate to 50%.  Partner with UGA Athletic Association, student groups and others to enhance the Gameday Recycling program.  Collaborate with UGA Food Services, PPD Services and Grounds Departments to implement a pilot food waste composting program.  Collaborate with University Architects and PPD to coordinate and enhance construction demolition and debris recycling. GREEN BUILDING  Collaborate with University Architects and the Physical Plant Division to continue to enhance and implement cost-effective and sustainable design guidelines for new construction and building renovation projects. PURCHASING  Work with UGA Procurement and others to develop environmentally sensitive purchasing standards that promote the use of regional, energy-efficient and environmentally responsible products, materials and equipment. TRANSPORTATION  Collaborate with Parking Services and others to enhance commuting options that reduce carbon emissions on campus, including campus bicycle and rideshare programs.  Partner with ACC Leisure Services, PPD Grounds Department, University Architects, and others to further enhance the Greenway Network. FOOD  Collaborate with students, academic and operational departments to plan and implement a campus demonstration garden.  Partner with UGA Food Services to continue and enhance water, energy and waste conservation efforts.  Engage with UGA Food Services, students, and academic departments to research and communicate benefits of local and sustainable food systems. EDUCATION  Implement a Green Labs and Offices program in collaboration with the Odum School of Ecology, PPD Services and others to minimize water and electricity consumption and reduce waste.  Partner with University Housing to develop and implement educational and incentive programs to encourage sustainable living practices among campus housing residents.  Collaborate with academic departments and the Office of Service Learning to enhance and develop sustainability-related and service learning courses and programs.  Collaborate with University Architects and PPD Grounds Department to develop and begin to implement a standard for sustainability signage in campus buildings and grounds.  Develop and host an annual sustainability symposium.  Provide an annual report to track progress of campus sustainability initiatives.

The Sustainability Plan will be measured by the following illustrative benchmarks: 1) Reduce university consumption of energy by 20 percent, potable water by 40 percent, and divert waste stream from landfills by 65 percent. 2) Establish a coordinating body to oversee sustainability efforts and maximize awareness of the university’s activities to both external and internal efforts. 3) Reduce the number of automobiles on campus by 20 percent, and increase by 20 percent the number of faculty, staff, and students who commute to campus using alternate modes of transportation such as mass transit, bicycles, or walking. 4) Calculate the university's carbon footprint, develop attainable goals for improvement, and implement strategies to significantly reduce carbon emissions. 5) Annually evaluate and update the university’s sustainability performance in instruction, research, public service, campus development, and operations activities. 6) Increase the endowment through a more proactive interaction with alumni and other constituencies.

The UGA 2020 Strategic Plan also incorporates sustianability throughout and specifically in Strategic Direction VII: Improving Stewardship of Natural Resources and Advancing Campus Sustainability, http://oap.uga.edu/uploads/sp/UGA_Strategic_Plan_2020_October_30_2012.pdf.