University of Virginia
IN-3: Innovation 3

Funding is among the most frequent barriers to advancing sustainability initiatives. To develop support for sustainability improvements or incentivize sustainable behavior, the University has developed a suite of distinct funding mechanisms to support sustainability initiatives. These include: The Grounds Improvement Fund: The Grounds Improvement Fund (GIF) is a funding program for projects and programs that promote improvements to the University’s environs that benefit the general University community. As the Lawn served as the focus of community life in Jefferson’s Academical Village, the larger University landscape provides the connective tissue that links individual schools, departments and buildings, providing opportunities for circulation, community gatherings, events and recreation. Schools and Departments recommend projects, which are then evaluated based on six criteria: 1) public health and safety, 2) Supports campus planning and sustainability objectives, 3) Exterior infrastructure improvement, 4) Satisfies a particular academic or auxiliary program need, 5) Landscape and/or Aesthetic Quality, and 6) Impact on University’s Operating Budget. Since its creation in 2008, the GIF program has funded dozens of projects, and about half of these projects have directly supported campus sustainability efforts. Examples include new bicycle parking areas, stream bank restoration efforts, trash and recycling container prototypes, in-ground LED crosswalk installations to promote pedestrian safety, and bus stop improvements. http://www.virginia.edu/architectoffice/GIF.html Shared Energy Savings Pilot: In 2011, the Energy and Utilities Department at Facilities Management developed a pilot program to incentivize energy conservation behavior. The pilot, involving two academic buildings and one administrative building, offers to split any reduction in energy costs, with the building occupants (who do not pay directly for energy) receiving half of the savings. http://utilities.fm.virginia.edu/sustainability/Pages/Home.aspx Appalachia Star Farm Produce Purchase Agreement: In February 2011, Darden School of Business Hospitality provided interest-free capital to construct a 2,600 square foot hoop house at Appalachia Star Farm in Nelson County. The hoop house will enable Appalachia Star Farm to extend the availability of produce they sell to Darden and other customers into the winter months. In a funding structure similar to renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs), Darden's investment in the hoop house will be repaid over time via a discount on produce purchased by Darden. http://www.darden.virginia.edu/web/About/Business-Perspective/Sustainability/Metrics/