Roadmap Definition of sustainability Why sustainability? UAA pledges – external UAA pledges – internal UAA UAF Sustainability Cup Energy policy What can you do to help?

What is sustainability?Definitions:

1. Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs 

                            -UN World Commission on                              Environment and Development

2. The long-term health and vitality of economic, ecological, and social systems.

                            -Sustainability Communities Network

3. The ability of a system (society, ecosystem, business) to continue functioning into the indefinite future without being forced into decline through exhaustion of key resources.

                            - The Context Institute

Pledges Generated ExternallyTalloires Declaration

1) Increase awareness of Environmentally Sustainable Development

2) Create an Institutional Culture of Sustainability3) Educate for Environmentally Responsible Citizenship4) Foster Environmental Literacy For All5) Practice Institutional Ecology6) Involve All Stakeholders7) Collaborate for Interdisciplinary Approaches8) Enhance Capacity of Primary and Secondary Schools9) Broaden Service and Outreach Nationally and

Internationally10) Maintain the Movement

Actions Faculty intensive (2007) Curriculum Development Group (2009) Pushing to build new buildings to LEED

Silver New Environment & Society degree Survey results of paper usage Survey results of transportation survey

Paper UseFACULTY (154) STAFF (324)

Duplex print - 84%Reuse paper - 61%Recycle - 82%Email and scan -

88%Recycled content paper - 84%

66%65%90%89%

89%

Transportation Survey 523 responses 90% said it is important to reduce their

carbon emissions

American College and University Presidents’ Climate

Commitment (ACUPCC)1. Initiate the development of a comprehensive plan

to achieve climate neutrality as soon as possible.2. Initiate two or more of the following tangible

actions to reduce greenhouse gases while the more comprehensive plan is being developed.

LEED silver buildings, green star appliance purchasing policy, offset greenhouse gases emitted by travel, public transportation, 15% of electricity consumption from renewable sources.

ACUPCC cont’d Calculate carbon baseline within one year

of signing. Develop a climate action plan within two

years of signing. Develop a Sustainability Plan within four

years of signing.

Carbon Footprint

Natural Gas Main16%

Natural Gas Off Campus

3%Natural

Gas Student Housing

5%Electricity Main

24%

Electricity Off Campus4%

Electricity Student Housing

4%

Air Travel

8%

Em-ployee Com-mute3%

Student Commute32%

Percentage of Emissions

Carbon Emission Reduction and Management Plan (CERM)

Other actions: Public transportation Chancellor’s Sustainability Council (now

the Sustainability Action Board) established

Hired a Sustainability Director HSB designed to LEED Silver standard Working on a green cleaning policy Expanding recycling Next academic year – Green Star policy

U Med Green District Collaboration among the organizations in

this geographic area for the purpose of “collaborating in creating an environmentally sustainable district in Anchorage, Alaska.”

4 working groups – energy and infrastructure, active transportation, 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle), and procurement

Internal Policies Academic Plan Strategic Plan UAA UAF Sustainability Challenge Energy Policy

Academic PlanThe purpose of the plan includes “ . . . To use our resources to serve society, most especially to assure a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable future.”

Strategic Plan 2017UAA Vision for 2017

UAA will be a university of first choice distinguished for: Commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

UAA Core ValuesSustainability and Stewardship

UAA UAF Sustainability Challenge

Based on the Green Report Card http://www.greenreportcard.org/report-card-2010/schools/university-of-alaska-anchorage UAA C+ to B- UAF C- to C-

Energy Policy 1ENERGY CONSERVATION1] Switch off lights when they are

not needed.2] Call Maintenance to remove

excess light tubes and ballasts.3] Switch off computers when they

are not being used within two hours.4] Upgrade computer displays with

LCD flat screens instead of old-style CRTs.

5] Use electronic equipment that goes into an energy saving mode when not being used.

6] Don’t use electric space heaters... call Maintenance to fix heat problems.

7] Centralize and share beverage and food machines rather than having duplicate equipment in each office.

8] If chilly and the current office temperature is between 68° F and 75° F, consider wearing more or heavier clothing rather than turning up the heat.

MATERIAL CONSERVATION1] Make double-sided copies

whenever possible or practical.2] Use the backs of single-sided

copies for scratch paper prior to recycling.

3] Avoid making copies by using electronic distributions.

4] Make good use of scanning technology and e-mail attachments instead of faxing.

5] Use paper with high post-consumer content.

6] Avoid using Styrofoam and plastic products...

Energy Policy cont’d7] Don’t print draft materials...

proofread off of your computermonitor.

8] Encourage the use of online forms rather than paper forms.

10] Recycle office paper, cardboard and newsprint.

11] Use re-usable containers and utensils rather than single-use items.

12] Don’t discard paperclips and rubber bands... reuse them or give them to others who might need them.

13] Recycle toner cartridges by returning them to the purchase point or to General Support Services.

WATER CONSERVATION1] Don’t run water to get a cooler

drink... use ice cubes or refrigerated water.

2] Don’t run water continuously when brushing teeth or washing. Only run the water when actually using it.

3] Use cold water instead of hot water whenever possible.

TRANSPORTATION CONSERVATION1] Ride U-Pass, Seawolf Shuttle or

carpool.2] Use engine block heaters when

the temperature drops below 20° F.3] Consolidate and coordinate supply

trips.4] Commit to one or two days per

week of not using your car.5] Don’t leave vehicles idling for

excessive periods.6] Walk, bike, skate or ski if

practical rather than drive.

Working Groups Curriculum development Electricity use reduction Paper use Single occupancy vehicle

What you can do Individual action – pledge or report Join a working group!

Questions?