| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 72.29 |
| Liaison | Jonna Korpi |
| Submission Date | Sept. 11, 2024 |
University of Minnesota, Duluth
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Jonna
Korpi Sustainability Director UMD Sustainability |
Part 1. Measurable sustainability objectives
Academics
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The University's Strategic Plan, MPact 2025, established a goal to "Build a Fully Sustainable Future" and identified three supporting action items to advance this goal. One of the actions is to "Demonstrate state and worldwide leadership in sustainability and environmental teaching, research, and convening power." Progress on this goal will be measured by completing STARS for each University campus and achieving a rating of Gold or higher by improving outcomes and impact on the actions identified by the STARS credits, including those related to curriculum and research.
Engagement
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The University's Strategic Plan, MPact 2025, established a goal to "Build a Fully Sustainable Future" and identified three supporting action items to advance this goal. One of the actions is to "Demonstrate state and worldwide leadership in sustainability and environmental teaching, research, and convening power." Progress on this goal will be measured by completing STARS for each University campus and achieving a rating of Gold or higher by improving outcomes and impact on the actions identified by the STARS credits, including those related to engagement.
The Strategic Plan also outlines MNTersections Goal 3 - Advance natural resources and agro-food systems to elevate human security and potential. This goal will be achieved through actions including: Develop and deploy new techniques and partnerships for smart farming and sustainable food supplies, and natural resources.
Operations
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The University's Strategic Plan, MPact 2025, established a goal to "Build a Fully Sustainable Future" and identified three supporting action items to advance this goal.
One of the actions is to "Demonstrate state and worldwide leadership in sustainability and environmental teaching, research, and convening power." Progress on this goal will be measured by completing STARS for each University campus and achieving a rating of Gold or higher by improving outcomes and impact on the actions identified by the STARS credits, including those related to operations.
Another action is to "Establish next-generation systemwide
Climate Action Plan for 2030." The Duluth campus recently completed a Climate Action Plan to achieve net zero by 2050 or earlier.
Administration
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
| The University's Strategic Plan, MPact 2025, established a goal to "Build a Fully Sustainable Future" and identified three supporting action items to advance this goal. One of the actions is to "Demonstrate state and worldwide leadership in sustainability and environmental teaching, research, and convening power." Progress on this goal will be measured by completing STARS for each University campus and achieving a rating of Gold or higher by improving outcomes and impact on the actions identified by the STARS credits, including those related to administration. MPact 2025 also outlines goals around equity and diversity. One of the 5 Commitments is "Fostering a welcoming community that values belonging, equity, diversity, and dignity in people and ideas." Student Success Goal 1 outlines a plan to "Attract, educate, and graduate students who represent the diversity, talent, workforce, and citizenship needs of the future." |
Part 2. Sustainability in institution’s highest guiding document
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?:
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?:
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
The University of Minnesota Board of Regents passed a policy on sustainability in 2004. There have been subsequent sustainability planning initiatives since then.
https://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Sustain_Energy_Efficiency.pdf
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Sustainability means finding or creating solutions that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. A sustainable perspective recognizes the conflicts and trade-offs of balancing economic growth, social equity and environmental integrity.
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 | No |
| SDG Accord | No |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | Yes |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | No |
| UN Global Compact | No |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | Yes |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
MPACT 2025 commits all campuses to contributing to implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and tracking the institution's contribution through the Times Higher Ed portal.
https://president.umn.edu/systemwide-strategic-plan-mpact2025
https://sdg.umn.edu/umn-sdg-initiative-2022-report
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/university-minnesota
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:
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.