| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.14 |
| Liaison | Olivia Wiebe |
| Submission Date | Dec. 28, 2023 |
University of Idaho
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 4.00 |
Olivia
Wiebe Sustainability Manager Office of the President |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1. Measurable sustainability objectives
Academics
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
In the Presidential Sustainability White Paper, a document that aimed to make our university known for sustainability in academics, operations and engagement, established the following principle:
"An underlying principle adopted by the Sustainable Working Group is that every student at the University of Idaho shall have access to sustainability credentials. These credentials, which could be in the form of certificates, degrees or experiential opportunities, allow students to engage in meaningful training and to promote their skills to eventual employers. These credentials may be voluntarily acquired through programs already available at the university or new ones to be developed. The most important aspect of these opportunities, however, is that they be available through every college and potentially every degree program at the University of Idaho, and offered in a manner that students could mix and match courses tailored to their interests and career ambitions."
"An underlying principle adopted by the Sustainable Working Group is that every student at the University of Idaho shall have access to sustainability credentials. These credentials, which could be in the form of certificates, degrees or experiential opportunities, allow students to engage in meaningful training and to promote their skills to eventual employers. These credentials may be voluntarily acquired through programs already available at the university or new ones to be developed. The most important aspect of these opportunities, however, is that they be available through every college and potentially every degree program at the University of Idaho, and offered in a manner that students could mix and match courses tailored to their interests and career ambitions."
Engagement
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO STRATEGIC PLAN 2016-2025
Measurable sustainability Campus Engagement objectives (p.10-11)
ENGAGE: Outreach that inspires innovation and culture
Objective A: Inventory and continuously assess engagement programs and select new opportunities and methods that provide solutions for societal or global issues, support economic drivers and/or promote the advancement of culture.
Indicators: Number of University of Idaho Extension direct contacts with communities.
Objective B: Develop community, regional, national and/or international collaborations which promote innovation and use University of Idaho research and creative expertise to address emerging issues.
Indicators: Number of active responses/programs in progress that seek to address the identified societal issues or collaborate with communities on research, the arts or cultural enhancement as reflected by the percentage of faculty collaboration with communities (reported in HERI survey) as well as total economic impact assessment
(EMSI).
Objective C: Engage individuals (alumni, friends, stakeholders and collaborators), businesses, industry, agencies and communities in meaningful and beneficial ways that support the University of Idaho’s mission.
Indicators: National Survey on Student Engagement (NSSE) service learning metric, alumni participation rate, and dual credit engagement.
Goal 2:
Suggest and influence change that addresses societal needs and global issues, and advances economic development and culture.
Additional, specific, measurable Campus Engagement objectives are on page 11 of the Strategic Plan.
Measurable sustainability Campus Engagement objectives (p.10-11)
ENGAGE: Outreach that inspires innovation and culture
Objective A: Inventory and continuously assess engagement programs and select new opportunities and methods that provide solutions for societal or global issues, support economic drivers and/or promote the advancement of culture.
Indicators: Number of University of Idaho Extension direct contacts with communities.
Objective B: Develop community, regional, national and/or international collaborations which promote innovation and use University of Idaho research and creative expertise to address emerging issues.
Indicators: Number of active responses/programs in progress that seek to address the identified societal issues or collaborate with communities on research, the arts or cultural enhancement as reflected by the percentage of faculty collaboration with communities (reported in HERI survey) as well as total economic impact assessment
(EMSI).
Objective C: Engage individuals (alumni, friends, stakeholders and collaborators), businesses, industry, agencies and communities in meaningful and beneficial ways that support the University of Idaho’s mission.
Indicators: National Survey on Student Engagement (NSSE) service learning metric, alumni participation rate, and dual credit engagement.
Goal 2:
Suggest and influence change that addresses societal needs and global issues, and advances economic development and culture.
Additional, specific, measurable Campus Engagement objectives are on page 11 of the Strategic Plan.
Operations
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
In Spring 2009, the University of Idaho Sustainability Committee set 2030 as University's target date for climate neutrality. To keep the University on pace for this goal, the committee also set the following intermediate targets: 25% reduction in emissions by 2012, 50% reduction in emissions by 2016, and 82% reduction in emissions by 2023.
In order to achieve these goals, projects were outlined for improvements in energy, transportation, and solid waste management.
An example of projects that were detailed in our 2010 Climate Action Plan that relate to operations can be found in the energy section under campus-wide projects:
"The central steam system which supports heating and cooling for 75% of campus buildings is more efficient than individual building‐level heating and cooling systems. A number of projects are being evaluated or are underway to expand and improve this system:
1. Connect more buildings to the central steam system to eliminate electricity and natural gas use for heating and cooling isolated buildings. As part of the ESCO process, the Menard Law building will be connected to the steam tunnel system, thereby eliminating the current electrical heat system. The challenge with extending the steam system is cost, which is roughly $5,000 per linear foot.
2. Compare steam pressure supply to actual pressure needed at buildings serviced by steam. If the current delivery pressure is excessive, decrease the pressure to the lowest level required for the delivery of needed downstream pressure. This project is currently underway.
3. Determine if any independent air compressors are still operating in university buildings. If so, remove these compressors and connect the buildings to the central steam system whenever possible. Connecting these air systems to the central air system will allow the one main compressor at the steam plant to handle all air needs more efficiently, using less electricity than small
compressors scattered all over campus.
4. Add an additional wood‐fired boiler to the steam plant facility. This will eliminate most natural gas use at the steam plant (emergencies or major breakdown backup only).
a. Estimated cost of $26,000,000.
b. Yearly Emissions Reduction of 3,412 Metric Tons CO2e."
The complete plan with all proposed projects can be found here:
https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/current-students/sustainability-center/resources/Reports/UI-CLIMATE-ACTION-PLAN-JAN-15-2010.pdf?la=en&hash=70C356F71853C318EEB5CC4FB608E32CDDE6BA74
In Spring 2009, the University of Idaho Sustainability Committee set 2030 as University's target date for climate neutrality. To keep the University on pace for this goal, the committee also set the following intermediate targets: 25% reduction in emissions by 2012, 50% reduction in emissions by 2016, and 82% reduction in emissions by 2023.
In order to achieve these goals, projects were outlined for improvements in energy, transportation, and solid waste management.
An example of projects that were detailed in our 2010 Climate Action Plan that relate to operations can be found in the energy section under campus-wide projects:
"The central steam system which supports heating and cooling for 75% of campus buildings is more efficient than individual building‐level heating and cooling systems. A number of projects are being evaluated or are underway to expand and improve this system:
1. Connect more buildings to the central steam system to eliminate electricity and natural gas use for heating and cooling isolated buildings. As part of the ESCO process, the Menard Law building will be connected to the steam tunnel system, thereby eliminating the current electrical heat system. The challenge with extending the steam system is cost, which is roughly $5,000 per linear foot.
2. Compare steam pressure supply to actual pressure needed at buildings serviced by steam. If the current delivery pressure is excessive, decrease the pressure to the lowest level required for the delivery of needed downstream pressure. This project is currently underway.
3. Determine if any independent air compressors are still operating in university buildings. If so, remove these compressors and connect the buildings to the central steam system whenever possible. Connecting these air systems to the central air system will allow the one main compressor at the steam plant to handle all air needs more efficiently, using less electricity than small
compressors scattered all over campus.
4. Add an additional wood‐fired boiler to the steam plant facility. This will eliminate most natural gas use at the steam plant (emergencies or major breakdown backup only).
a. Estimated cost of $26,000,000.
b. Yearly Emissions Reduction of 3,412 Metric Tons CO2e."
The complete plan with all proposed projects can be found here:
https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/current-students/sustainability-center/resources/Reports/UI-CLIMATE-ACTION-PLAN-JAN-15-2010.pdf?la=en&hash=70C356F71853C318EEB5CC4FB608E32CDDE6BA74
Administration
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
In the 2021 Annual Report, Goal #4 is Cultivate a Valued and Diverse Community. Goal #4 aims to foster an inclusive, diverse community of students, faculty and staff and improve cohesion and morale.
Objective A:
Build an inclusive, diverse community that welcomes multicultural and
international perspectives.
Indicators: Increased multicultural student enrollment, international student
enrollment, percent of multicultural faculty and staff.
Objective B:
Enhance the University of Idaho’s ability to compete for and retain
outstanding scholars and skilled staff.
Indicators: Improved job satisfaction scores and reduced staff turnover rate.
Objective C:
Improve efficiency, transparency and communication.
Indicators: Invest resources wisely to enhance end-user experiences (e.g. more
customer service-oriented) and maintain affordability for students (cost per
credit hour and SBOE efficiency measure).
This annual report has set targets to be achieved by 2025 in various areas such as multi-cultural student enrollment, international student enrollment, full-time staff turn over rate, percent multicultural faculty and staff, cost per credit hour, and efficiency (graduates per 100k).
Objective A:
Build an inclusive, diverse community that welcomes multicultural and
international perspectives.
Indicators: Increased multicultural student enrollment, international student
enrollment, percent of multicultural faculty and staff.
Objective B:
Enhance the University of Idaho’s ability to compete for and retain
outstanding scholars and skilled staff.
Indicators: Improved job satisfaction scores and reduced staff turnover rate.
Objective C:
Improve efficiency, transparency and communication.
Indicators: Invest resources wisely to enhance end-user experiences (e.g. more
customer service-oriented) and maintain affordability for students (cost per
credit hour and SBOE efficiency measure).
This annual report has set targets to be achieved by 2025 in various areas such as multi-cultural student enrollment, international student enrollment, full-time staff turn over rate, percent multicultural faculty and staff, cost per credit hour, and efficiency (graduates per 100k).
Part 2. Sustainability in institution’s highest guiding document
Yes
The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
Minor theme
Optional Fields
Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
Yes
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
The University of Idaho’s strategic plan addresses sustainability in a number of areas, most notably within the mission, and the principals and values sections of the document, "We embrace our personal and social obligation to ensure the sustainability of our future. For this community, ensuring a sustainable healthy lifestyle is part of a comprehensive desire to acknowledge stewardship of the natural environment to human interactions and well-being."
The university continues to be a signatory of two climate agreements, the Talloires Declaration (2005), and the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (2007). The University of Idaho is committed to incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy in teaching, research, operations, and outreach. Comprehensive plans in pursuit of climate neutrality, the Climate Action Plan (2010), and several iterations of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory (2008, 2011, 2019, 2020) set institutional goals and measure progress. A wide array of sustainable practices are currently in place, with ongoing efforts to expand and improve.
1.TALLOIRES DECLARATION: University Presidents for a Sustainable Future
We, the presidents, rectors, and vice chancellors of universities from all regions of the world are deeply concerned about the unprecedented scale and speed of environmental pollution and degradation, and the depletion of natural resources. Local, regional, and global air pollution; accumulation and distribution of toxic wastes; destruction and depletion of forests, soil, and water; depletion of the ozone layer and emission of "greenhouse" gases threaten the survival of humans and thousands of other living species, the integrity of the earth and its biodiversity, the security of nations, and the heritage of future generations. These environmental changes are caused by inequitable and unsustainable production and consumption patterns that aggravate poverty in many regions of the world.
We believe that urgent actions are needed to address these fundamental problems and reverse the trends. Stabilization of human population, adoption of environmentally sound industrial and agricultural technologies, reforestation, and ecological restoration are crucial elements in creating an equitable and sustainable future for all humankind in harmony with nature. Universities have a major role in the education, research, policy formation, and information exchange necessary to make these goals possible. The university heads must provide the leadership and support to mobilize internal and external resources so that their institutions respond to this urgent challenge. We, therefore, agree to take the following actions:
1. Use every opportunity to raise public, government, industry, foundation, and university awareness by publicly addressing the urgent need to move toward an environmentally sustainable future.
2. Encourage all universities to engage in education, research, policy formation, and information exchange on population, environment, and development to move toward a sustainable future.
3. Establish programs to produce expertise in environmental management, sustainable economic development, population, and related fields to ensure that all university graduates are environmentally literate and responsible citizens.
4. Create programs to develop the capability of university faculty to teach environmental literacy to all undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students.
5. Set an example of environmental responsibility by establishing programs of resource conservation, recycling, and waste reduction at the universities.
6. Encourage the involvement of government (at all levels), foundations, and industry in supporting university research, education, policy formation, and information exchange in environmentally sustainable development. Expand work with nongovernmental organizations to assist in finding solutions to environmental problems.
7. Convene school deans and environmental practitioners to develop research, policy, information exchange programs, and curricula for an environmentally sustainable future.
8. Establish partnerships with primary and secondary schools to help develop the capability of their faculty to teach about population, environment, and sustainable development issues.
9. Work with the UN Conference on Environmental and Development, the UN Environment Programme, and other national and international organizations to promote a worldwide university effort toward a sustainable future.
10. Establish a steering committee and a secretariat to continue this momentum and inform and support each other's efforts in carrying out this declaration.
http://ulsf.org/talloires-declaration/
______________________________________
2. The American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) is a “high-visibility effort” to address global warming (global climate disruption) by creating a network of colleges and universities that have committed to neutralize their greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.
The ACUPCC seeks to create connections with higher educational institutions in order to carry out two goals: The first is to make an agreement with these colleges and universities that they will commit to eliminate their net greenhouse gas emissions from specified campus operations. The second focuses on education and the institutions’ ability to promote research of sustainability programs and empower the "higher education sector to educate students, create solutions, and provide leadership-by-example for the rest of society." ACUPCC provides “a framework and support” for America’s colleges and universities. The ACUPCC relies on institutions of higher education to be role models for their communities as well as students, and to educate people who will contribute to fighting to reverse global warming and create a sustainable society.
https://secondnature.org/signatory-handbook/the-commitments/
The university continues to be a signatory of two climate agreements, the Talloires Declaration (2005), and the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (2007). The University of Idaho is committed to incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy in teaching, research, operations, and outreach. Comprehensive plans in pursuit of climate neutrality, the Climate Action Plan (2010), and several iterations of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory (2008, 2011, 2019, 2020) set institutional goals and measure progress. A wide array of sustainable practices are currently in place, with ongoing efforts to expand and improve.
1.TALLOIRES DECLARATION: University Presidents for a Sustainable Future
We, the presidents, rectors, and vice chancellors of universities from all regions of the world are deeply concerned about the unprecedented scale and speed of environmental pollution and degradation, and the depletion of natural resources. Local, regional, and global air pollution; accumulation and distribution of toxic wastes; destruction and depletion of forests, soil, and water; depletion of the ozone layer and emission of "greenhouse" gases threaten the survival of humans and thousands of other living species, the integrity of the earth and its biodiversity, the security of nations, and the heritage of future generations. These environmental changes are caused by inequitable and unsustainable production and consumption patterns that aggravate poverty in many regions of the world.
We believe that urgent actions are needed to address these fundamental problems and reverse the trends. Stabilization of human population, adoption of environmentally sound industrial and agricultural technologies, reforestation, and ecological restoration are crucial elements in creating an equitable and sustainable future for all humankind in harmony with nature. Universities have a major role in the education, research, policy formation, and information exchange necessary to make these goals possible. The university heads must provide the leadership and support to mobilize internal and external resources so that their institutions respond to this urgent challenge. We, therefore, agree to take the following actions:
1. Use every opportunity to raise public, government, industry, foundation, and university awareness by publicly addressing the urgent need to move toward an environmentally sustainable future.
2. Encourage all universities to engage in education, research, policy formation, and information exchange on population, environment, and development to move toward a sustainable future.
3. Establish programs to produce expertise in environmental management, sustainable economic development, population, and related fields to ensure that all university graduates are environmentally literate and responsible citizens.
4. Create programs to develop the capability of university faculty to teach environmental literacy to all undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students.
5. Set an example of environmental responsibility by establishing programs of resource conservation, recycling, and waste reduction at the universities.
6. Encourage the involvement of government (at all levels), foundations, and industry in supporting university research, education, policy formation, and information exchange in environmentally sustainable development. Expand work with nongovernmental organizations to assist in finding solutions to environmental problems.
7. Convene school deans and environmental practitioners to develop research, policy, information exchange programs, and curricula for an environmentally sustainable future.
8. Establish partnerships with primary and secondary schools to help develop the capability of their faculty to teach about population, environment, and sustainable development issues.
9. Work with the UN Conference on Environmental and Development, the UN Environment Programme, and other national and international organizations to promote a worldwide university effort toward a sustainable future.
10. Establish a steering committee and a secretariat to continue this momentum and inform and support each other's efforts in carrying out this declaration.
http://ulsf.org/talloires-declaration/
______________________________________
2. The American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) is a “high-visibility effort” to address global warming (global climate disruption) by creating a network of colleges and universities that have committed to neutralize their greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.
The ACUPCC seeks to create connections with higher educational institutions in order to carry out two goals: The first is to make an agreement with these colleges and universities that they will commit to eliminate their net greenhouse gas emissions from specified campus operations. The second focuses on education and the institutions’ ability to promote research of sustainability programs and empower the "higher education sector to educate students, create solutions, and provide leadership-by-example for the rest of society." ACUPCC provides “a framework and support” for America’s colleges and universities. The ACUPCC relies on institutions of higher education to be role models for their communities as well as students, and to educate people who will contribute to fighting to reverse global warming and create a sustainable society.
https://secondnature.org/signatory-handbook/the-commitments/
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
---
Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
| Yes or No | |
| The Earth Charter | No |
| The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) | No |
| ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter | No |
| Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability | --- |
| SDG Accord | --- |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | Yes |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | Yes |
| UN Global Compact | No |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | No |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
The university continues to be a signatory of two climate agreements, the Talloires Declaration (2005), and the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (2007). The University of Idaho is committed to incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy in teaching, research, operations, and outreach.
Comprehensive plans in pursuit of climate neutrality, the Climate Action Plan (2010), and several iterations of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory (2008, 2011, 2019, 2020) set institutional goals and measure progress. A wide array of sustainable practices are currently in place, with ongoing efforts to expand and improve, including a forthcoming CAP update.
Comprehensive plans in pursuit of climate neutrality, the Climate Action Plan (2010), and several iterations of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory (2008, 2011, 2019, 2020) set institutional goals and measure progress. A wide array of sustainable practices are currently in place, with ongoing efforts to expand and improve, including a forthcoming CAP update.
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
2021 Annual Report: https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/president/Communications/2021-annual-report.pdf
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.