Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 62.54
Liaison Lisa Noriega
Submission Date Sept. 21, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Yale University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.25 / 4.00 Lindsay Toland
Metrics & Program Manager
Yale Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Published Plans That Address Sustainability 

Strategic Plan

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
No

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
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A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
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Sustainability Plan 

Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the sustainability plan:
Yale Sustainability Strategic Plan 2013-16.pdf

The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
http://sustainability.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/sustainabilitystrategicplan2013-16_20131029.pdf

Climate Action Plan 

Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
No

A copy of the climate action plan:
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The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
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Other Published Plans 

Does the institution have other published plans that address sustainability or include measurable sustainability objectives (e.g. campus master plan, physical campus plan, diversity plan, human resources plan)? :
Yes

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
Stormwater Management Plan: http://sustainability.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Sustainable%20Stormwater%20Management%20Plan.pdf Water Management Plan: http://sustainability.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Water%20Management%20Plan.pdf Framework for Campus Planning Sustainability Supplement: http://facilities.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Design%20Standards/YALEFRMW%20SUST%20SUPP.pdf Departmental Sustainability Action Plans (Finance and Business Operations; Athletics; Divinity School; School of Forestry & Environmental Studies; Law School; School of Management; School of Medicine; School of Music; School of Nursing; School of Public Health; Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage; University Library; Peabody Museum of Natural History; University Art Gallery): http://sustainability.yale.edu/planning-progress/department-level-plans

Measurable Sustainability Objectives 

Curriculum

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Research 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Campus Engagement 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Sustainability Strategic Plan, 2013-2016, includes a goal to establish a portfolio of sustainability action plans for various schools and departments. These plans are tailored to the department level so that the Yale community can engage in action more directly.

Public Engagement 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Stormwater Management Plan highlights the importance of working with the City of New Haven: Because Yale University operates through the work of many individuals and departments and interacts with an assortment of students, faculty, staff, and visitors as well as the City of New Haven and its residents, it is important to consider the need to engage stakeholders as this program moves forward. Many of these individuals and groups may need to participate in the maintenance and monitoring of these projects.

Air & Climate 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Sustainability Strategic Plan, 2013-2016 includes a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 5% below 2013 levels. All of the Departmental Sustainability Action Plans that include goals around GHG emissions are intended to support this larger goal.

Buildings 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Sustainability Strategic Plan, 2013-2016 includes the following goals: >Earn a minimum of LEED Gold certification and achieve Yale-specific required credits on all new construction and approved comprehensive renovations; and ensure that all other construction adheres to Yale’s sustainable design requirements. >Plan campus development in alignment with recommendations of the Sustainability Supplement to the Framework for Campus Planning.

Energy 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Sustainability Strategic Plan, 2013-2016 includes a goal to reduce energy consumption 5% below 2013 levels. All of the Departmental Sustainability Action Plans that include goals around energy are intended to support this larger goal.

Food & Dining 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Sustainability Strategic Plan, 2013-2016 includes the following goals: >Ensure that 37% of the food purchased and served by Yale meets one or more of the following sustainability criteria: local, eco-sensitive, humane, or fair >Increase the purchase and preparation of plant-based foods in Yale Dining by 15% over 2013 levels >Reduce sodium content in on-campus food offerings to 2,200 milligrams daily >Create a regional food alliance with area farmers, and institutions, the Yale Sustainable Food Project, and Yale Dining to discuss new approaches to food distribution

Grounds 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Sustainability Strategic Plan, 2013-2016, includes a goal to develop and implement sustainable land development and maintenance practices on the Yale campus.

Purchasing 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Sustainability Strategic Plan, 2013-2016, includes a goal to achieve a 10% reduction in paper purchases and a 10% reduction in office supply purchases from 2013 levels. All of the Departmental Sustainability Action Plans that include goals around procurement are intended to support these larger goals.

Transportation 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Sustainability Strategic Plan, 2013-2016 includes the following goals: >Lessen Yale’s impact on New Haven traffic congestion and vehicle emissions by reducing single-occupancy vehicle use by faculty and staff to campus 2% below 2013 levels >Increase participation in the Federal Pre-tax Commuter Benefits Program 25% above 2013 levels

Waste 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Sustainability Strategic Plan, 2013-2016 includes the following goals: >Achieve a 50% waste diversion rate. >Establish and commit to purchasing and disposal practices that meet industry standard sustainability practices for Information Technology Services >Implement strategies to reduce municipal solid waste with the intention to commit to an institutional total volume waste reduction target. All of the Departmental Sustainability Action Plans that include goals around waste are intended to support these larger goals.

Water 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Sustainability Strategic Plan, 2013-2016 includes a goal to reduce potable water use on campus 5% below 2013 levels. The Stormwater Management Plan includes the following strategies: >Establish an improved baseline understanding of stormwater on campus. >Investigate the potential of green infrastructure techniques on campus. >Integrate sustainable stormwater management into Yale University’s design and planning standards. >Develop the management plan goal(s) using information gathered through the 2013–2016 plan

Diversity & Affordability 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Investment & Finance 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Wellbeing & Work 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Sustainability Strategic Plan, 2013-2016 includes a goal to explore initiatives that promote human well-being and ecosystem vitality.

Other Impact Areas 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Three of the Sustainability Action Plans are directly linked to Arts & Culture, as they are for departments that house art, artifacts, documents, and books: the Action Plan for the Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage; the Action Plan for the University Library; and the Action Plan for the University Art Gallery.

Optional Fields 

Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body (e.g. a mission statement that specifically includes sustainability and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees)? :
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The formal statement in support of sustainability:
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The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
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Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter ---
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) ---
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter ---
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment ---
The Talloires Declaration (TD) ---
UN Global Compact ---
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) ---

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.