Williams College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 4.00 |
Mike
Evans Assistant Director Zilkha Center |
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The college's Climate Action Plan (CAP) came out of the high level sustainability goals set in the college's strategic planning process.
The CAP can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rbF3knDxPEw-2yPk4AetG3urH1HSvTh8HBPmXtgTJYQ/edit?usp=sharing
A few specific actions from the CAP include:
--Sharply reduce emissions from campus combustion through energy conservation measures and shifting to renewable energy sources 8
--Secure 100% renewable purchased electricity and continue to increase on-campus solar generation
--Maintain carbon neutrality with a view towards achieving net-zero emissions through investment in high-quality, verified carbon offsets and carbon removal
The Strategic Plan can be found here: https://www.williams.edu/strategic-planning/strategic-plan-2021/
The Report of the Working Group on Sustainability, which informed the sustainability section of the strategic plan, can be found at the top of this strategic planning page: https://www.williams.edu/strategic-planning/working-group-8-expand-our-sustainability-commitments/
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; or wellbeing?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
"Establish diversity, equity and inclusion plans across all units on campus to align each area’s approach with the college’s aforementioned goals in this area."
https://www.williams.edu/strategic-planning/strategic-plan-2021/
Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
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?:
The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
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:
From the college's strategic plan, which was finalized in 2021:
Substantially increasing our commitments to Sustainability and to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility as fundamental societal challenges: Transforming our values into shared commitments by weaving them throughout all aspects of the college’s program and operations.
https://www.williams.edu/strategic-planning/strategic-plan-2021/
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 | No |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | No |
| 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:
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.