Villanova University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

In 2020, the University president approved the first campus sustainability. The plan is built using the UN SDG framework. More information about the plan can be found here: https://www1.villanova.edu/university/president/sustainability-plan.html

the plan includes multiple objectives related to academics, including:
An interdisciplinary university institute will be the academic home for research, curricula, and community outreach with focus on climate, environmental justice, health, and sustainability. with additional related goals around Inventory of Courses on Climate, Sustainability, and Justice, Integration of Sustainability into Courses, and Sustainability Research Fund among others.

In 2020, the University president approved the first campus sustainability. The plan is built using the UN SDG framework. More information about the plan can be found here: https://www1.villanova.edu/university/president/sustainability-plan.html

the plan includes multiple objectives related to engagement, including:
Augustinian Local and Global Outreach, which aims to integrate outreach, advocacy, education and research with our shared Augustinian values and will utilize our vast Augustinian and Catholic network to provide education and advocacy as well as perform collaborative research on climate, justice and sustainability with local and global partners.
Community Partnership Initiative: Villanova is surrounded by local governments that are making new and serious commitments to sustainability. Most notably, 21 local PA municipalities – including Radnor, Haverford, and Tredyffrin -- have signed on to the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100% Renewable Energy Campaign and pledged to transition to renewable electricity by 2035. Villanova can engage with and learn from these communities as they develop and execute their sustainability projects. By fostering communication and collaboration between community organizations and faculty, students, and staff, Villanova can offer expertise, consultation, and project support, while also serving as a regional convener of communities, municipalities, industry, and policy makers.
Green Office and Lab Program: to expand the existing green labs program and develop a green office program that focuses on participant edification and engagement around a variety of sustainability topics

In 2020, the University president approved the first campus sustainability. The plan is built using the UN SDG framework. More information about the plan can be found here: https://www1.villanova.edu/university/president/sustainability-plan.html

the plan includes multiple objectives related to operations, including:
Renewable Power Purchase Agreement:Producing electricity is responsible for 27.5% of the United States greenhouse gas emissions. These greenhouse gases come specifically from burning fossil fuels for power. Reducing Villanova's fossil fuel consumption will significantly reduce
the greenhouse gas emissions from electricity production. Villanova will begin to draw at least 25% of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2021, and 100% by 2030. This will help reduce energy impact and Scope 2 emissions.
Campus-Wide Energy Efficiency: The United States uses more energy per capita than any other country in the world. This problem cannot only be solved by switching to renewable energy but must also be addressed by reducing Villanova's energy impact. An energy audit will be conducted on campus and adjustments will be made to decrease energy intensity. All campus lighting will be updated to LEDs and occupancy sensors will be installed to further reduce lighting loads. HVAC and building envelopes will be evaluated and requisite improvements will be completed. These improvements will save the university money by reducing energy needed and decrease energy impact and greenhouse gas emissions.

Waste Audit and Action Plan: Everyday items that could be recycled or composted are being thrown in the trash. This greatly increases the volume of waste going to landfills. When landfills fill up, additional land is used that could otherwise be utilized for different purposes. Villanova strives to lessen its contribution to the local landfills by conducting a waste audit to calculate how much recyclable material is misplaced, how much total waste is in each stream, and the amount of post-consumer organic waste is going to the landfill. Auditing waste also helps identify other problem areas and could help avoid hindering the health of marine ecosystems and promote better food management.

In 2020, the University president approved the first campus sustainability. The plan is built using the UN SDG framework. More information about the plan can be found here: https://www1.villanova.edu/university/president/sustainability-plan.html

the plan includes multiple objectives related to DEI, including:
Hiring for Villanova's Future: Implement “Hiring for Villanova’s Future” training to all hiring personnel across departments and colleges at Villanova. The training provides information and tools on how to ensure that the hiring process is reaching diverse audiences and managing unconscious bias across university departments. This creates more opportunities to increase diversity of faculty and staff on the Villanova campus.
Graduate Student Health Care: At Villanova, the establishment of an ethos of sustainable living requires that students do not have to sacrifice their health as a condition of pursuing an education. To achieve this the university should expand comprehensive, affordable health coverage to all Villanova graduate students.

St. Francis Pledge http://www.catholicclimatecovenant.org/pledge