An Introduction to Campus Environmental Sustainability Indicators

Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium Indicators Working Group

Gioia Thompson, University of Vermont (Chair) Connie Leach Bisson, Middlebury College Mary Jensen, Keene State College Ramsay Huntley, Tufts University Melissa Garcia Lamarca, Concordia University Keisha Payson, Bowdoin College Julie Newman, Yale University Intern: Heather Leibowitz, UVM 05

Created for Campus Consortium for Environmental Excellence, September 2005

Environmental Indicators in the Context of Sustainability

Sustainability is:
"..development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs"
World Commission on the Environment and Development, 1987

Question: How will our communities and economic systems survive into the future?

Sustainability in Higher Education/Campus Greening

Ensure that critical activities are ecologically sound, socially just, and economically viable Emphasize these concepts in curriculum, research, outreach Prepare students to contribute as working citizens Support surrounding community Create institution that functions as sustainable community

Greening Campus Operations

Land use Transportation, parking, fleet Landscaping Water use Food Purchasing Hazardous waste management Solid waste management Energy use and sources

Sample Assessment Resources

Campus Consortium for Environmental Excellence C/U Self Tracking Tool Sierra Youth Coalitions Campus Sustainability Assessment Framework Good Companys Sustainable Pathways Toolkit Campus Sustainability Assessment Project Clean Air-Cool Planet greenhouse gas inventory

Types of Reports
Comprehensive sustainability assessments Environmental reports Other reports Individual building performance report Ecological footprint analysis Greenhouse gas inventories

Sample Comprehensive Reports

University of Florida: qualitative, covers research, education, operations, outreach, personnel, policies and practices Michigan State University: 16 social, economic, environmental indicators; 76 graphs and tables Concordia University (Montreal) multi-stakeholder process, 171 indicators on social, economic, environmental impact, 100+ students involved

Social/community Environmental Economic

Sample Environmental Reports

Bowdoin College Environmental Impact Audit, December 2000 Middlebury College Climate Neutral Working Group report Tufts University Tufts Climate Initiative website, activities University of Vermont Tracking UVM: Environmental Report Card 1990-2000 Yale University Yale University Environment Report: 1997-1998 through 2003-2004

Example: Tracking UVM: Environmental

Report Card 1990-2000
Land, water, energy, air, waste indicators 1990-2000 Best management practices, community comments, next steps Audience: students, staff, faculty, trustees, legislature, community Excerpted, adapted for educational projects Key findings: energy use, solid waste up despite best practices

University of Vermont Environmental Council December 2002

Using Your Indicators

Track management practices in operations Strategic planning Master planning Compliance assessment Comparison with other institutions Campus, community stakeholder education and engagement

Sample Educational Uses

Ex: To promote awareness in residence halls: Electricity use reduction competitionOberlin College % of trash that could have been recycled (EcoRep waste sort results) Vermont Total recycled / resident student, and Total trash / resident studentRecyclemania

Considerations: Purpose
Academics: engage intellectual resources of faculty and students in sustainability Campus education: awareness, understanding, motivation, behavior change Decision-making: support clear decisions, set priorities, engage stakeholders Visibility: create pressure on institution from internal and external sources

Considerations: Constraints
Money: financial, in-kind, investments in data systems Time: data and labor availability, reporting schedules Relevance: quality of data, culture, pressing issues, collaborations

Considerations: Potential Pitfalls

Coordinator
Burnout Time sink Data dont exist in form they should Danger of poor interactions with stakeholders Reluctance to look bad Perceived confidentiality issues Difficulty in comparing school to school Danger of drawing the wrong conclusions

Institution

Recommendation: Start with key environmental indicators

Solid waste & recycling, composting
Tangible, measurable, understandable

Energyheating, electricity, transportation, and associated emissions

Collectively largest financial and environmental impact

Waterwater use and wastewater treatment

Available from C2E2.org

Significance depends on region

Measuring Now, and Maybe Later

Sample energy and waste measures:
Probably measuring now
kWh, Btus, square feet Tons waste to landfill, recycling (?) Number of students, faculty, staff Financial data Greenhouse gas emissions Energy sources How much of trash could have been recycled Construction and demolition waste

Might want to measure

Whats Next
Creative educational uses of indicators Focus on key indicators (depth) and/or Expansion to larger numbers of indicators Perhaps formal reporting systems as part of Environmental Management Systems, ISO 14001

Suites of Indicators Integrate into campus reporting systems

Suites of Energy Indicators

Example: Energy use from heating, electricity, transportation combined into one unit (terajoules or BTUs) shows relative environmental impactsoften heating and electricity about the same, transportation much lower Cost of energy use from heating, electricity, transportation shows relative costs, return on investmentelectricity usually highest Greenhouse gas emissions from energy uses show climate change impacts

Sample: Energy Indicators Suite

FY05 Energy Dollars
(Does not include w ater)

FY05 Energy Usage

(Water Not Included)

18%

1%3%

8% 12%

#2 #6 Natural Gas Electricity Steam Propane

18%

1% 4% 21%

#2 #6 Natural Gas Electricity Steam Propane

58%

37%

19%

FY05 Emissions
FY06 est. 5,680 753 3,874 ,801

7% 11%

2% 0% 46%

FY01
electricity steam #6 fuel Natural gas #2 fuel

FY02 4,829 705 3,627 ,511

FY03 6,252 892 3,764 ,705

FY04 5,627 786 3,791 ,451

FY05 5,889 683 3,810 ,664

Heating Degree Days Cooling Degree Days Campus Sq. Footage

5,804 699 3,583 ,911

34%

propane

Integrating Indicators into Planning, Reporting, Surveying Systems

Examples: Campus Master Plan: impervious surfaces Transportation Plan: single occupancy vehicle rate, commuter choice options Utilities Plan: emissions, greenhouse gases Contracts: recycled content in copier paper, local food served by dining services Reports: Env Health & Safety: IAQ complaints Surveys: awareness, attitudes (Student Government, Statistics classes)

RESOURCES
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Organizations Reports Tools Articles Miscellaneous slides

1. ORGANIZATIONS
    

Campus Consortium for Environmental Excellence

www.c2e2.org

Education for Sustainability-West

www.esfwest.org

University Leaders for a Sustainable Future

www.ulsf.org

National Wildlife Federation

www.nwf.org

Clean Air-Cool Planet

www.cleanair-coolplanet.org

Campus Consortium for Environmental Excellence (C2E2)

College & University Sector Program www.c2e2.org See also:

Environmental Management Systems (EMS) 32 institutions involved EPA Best Management Practices (BMP)

2. REPORTS


Comprehensive
  

University of Florida Michigan State Concordia University (Montreal) Bowdoin College Tufts University Yale University

Environmental
  

University of Florida
University of Florida Sustainability Task Force Final Report (2002)


Qualitatively focused report looking at a wide range of indicators for a sustainable institution:  Research  Education  Campus Operations (including: Land Management & Biodiversity,
Buildings, Energy and Resource Use, Transportation, Waste Management, etc.)
  

Community Outreach and Integration Campus Community: Personnel Organizational Policies and Practices

Michigan State University



Campus Sustainability Report (2003)



 

Extensive report including 76 representational graphs and tables Social, Economic, and Environmental Indicators (16 total) Findings provide data on a wide range of campus issues from intramural sports to research funding to air emissions

Concordia University

Concordia University

171 Indicators organized in 10 areas

Eco-subsystem
Materials Buildings Paper Food Equipment Hazardous materials Solid W aste Energy Air Sources Indoor Managemen t Outdoor Intensity of Use Land ManagedGreen Space Natural Areas Intensity of Use Water Consumption Managemen t Storm and Wastewater

People Subsystem
Governance Knowledge Economy and Wealth Policy Training Individual Implementation Research Institutional Monitoring Curriculum Health and Well-Being Recreation Food Safety Health Services Environment Community Involvement Diversity Services

Concordia University

Sample Health & Wellbeing Indicators

NO. HW-12 INDICATOR Mental Health Care Practitioner MEASUREMENT UNITS Total number of CCMs divided by the total number of certified FTE mental health care professionals on-campus in assessment year (psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, etc.). Measure annual retention rates of staff, students and faculty and average them based on the total FTE populations of each group. Total number of CCMs practicing a spiritual discipline who are serviced by spirituality outlets available on-campus (with care taken not to double count individuals using more than one service) divided by the total number of CCMs; multiply by 100. Total annual number of people reporting depression, alcohol/drug abuse, etc., divided by the total campus headcount; multiply by 100. Total annual number of student suicides, divided by the total headcount of students; multiply by 1000. RESULT SHORT-TERM BENCHMARK X CCMs/ FTE professional LONG-TERM GOAL X CCMs/ FTE professional

HW-13

Retention Rate

At least 85%

100%

HW-14

Spiritual Services

100%

HW-15

Mental Illness

Zero

HW-16

Student Suicide Rate

Zero per 1000 students.

Tufts Climate Initiative (TCI)



Tufts University has committed to reducing GHG emissions by 7% below 1990 levels by 2012 this translates to a real reduction of about 30%. Carbon is the key metric for measuring the impact of construction, transportation, energy efficiency, personal action, and clean electricity. TCIs work is funded by grants. University dollars fund efficiency and other investments. TCIs focus is on efficiency, new construction, electricity procurement, and personal action.

Tufts University Carbon Inventory

30,000

Emissions Target
25,000 Emission Releases (MTCE)

Carbon emissions updated annually (www.tufts.edu/tci )

Agriculture Transportation Heat Electricity

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 Year 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

Electricity Use on the Medford Campus

A focus on improving electrical efficiency has leveled electricity and decreased emissions on the main campus.

40,000,000 35,000,000 30,000,000 25,000,000 kWh 20,000,000 15,000,000 10,000,000 5,000,000 0 1990 1998 1999 2000 Year 2001 2002 2003

University of Vermont Report Card Results 1990-2000

More sustainable:
+ Energy sources + Radioactive waste + Water use + Storm water management

Little change or inadequate data: ~ Land use

~ Air pollution from heating ~ Recycling ~ Hazardous waste

Less sustainable:
-Commuting miles -CO2 emissions -Energy use -Trash generation

Yale Sustainability Metrics

Spectrum Category Water Land Air Energy Food Energy Landscape Building Design & Construction Waste Mngt. Transportation Procurement Water management Indicators Units

Use of Natural Resources

Systems and Processes

Culture

Curriculum Research Human health Governance

For more details: http://www.yale.edu/sustainability

3. TOOLS


College Consortium of Environmental Excellence (and EPA)



Colleges & Universities Self Tracking Tool http://www.c2e2.org/cgiadmin/navigate.cgi Sector Programs: College & University Sector http://www.epa.gov/sectors/colleges/ Campus Sustainability Assessment Framework http://www.syc-cjs.org/index.php Sustainable Pathways Toolkit http://www.goodcompany.com/lib/documents/ Online Database http://csap.envs.wmich.edu/pages/res_csa.html

 

Environmental Protection Agency



Sierra Youth Coalition



 

Good Company


Campus Sustainability Assessment Project CSAP



C2E2/EPA Colleges & Universities Self Tracking Tool

Colleges and Universities Self Tracking Tool, developed by EPA College and University Sectors Performance Measurement Workgroup http://www.c2e2.org/tracking_tool/index.html online tool to collect and analyze data on campus environmental impacts. Tracks and benchmarks environmental indicators against aggregated data from other schools of similar size and type.

Good Companys Sustainable Pathways Toolkit



Assessment tool for university and college customers: 20 core indicators and 10 supplementary, each with performance benchmark. (ex. UNC-Greensboro) Compact and focused still with some depth of sustainability issues and coverage of human and ecosystem dimensions. Involves limited consultation of and involvement of campus community.

The Campus Sustainability Assessment Project (CSAP)

The Campus Sustainability Assessment Database is an extensive, searchable record of CSA projects throughout the United States, Canada, and several other countries. It contains information on over 1,100 projects and assessments of all types.

http://csap.envs.wmich.edu/pages/res_csa.html

Campus Sustainability Assessment Framework (CSAF)

ECOSYSTEM
LAND WATER MATERIALS

AIR

PEOPLE

ENERGY

KNOWLEDGE

COMMUNITY

A sustainable campus community acts upon its local and global responsibilities to protect and enhance the health and well being of humans and ecosystems. It actively engages the knowledge of the university community to address the ecological and social challenges that we face now and in the future.
Sierra Youth Coalition

HEALTH & WELL-BEING ECONOMY & WEALTH

GOVERNANCE

New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability

Rating system 1-7 1-

Solid waste Energy Water/sewage Transportation Indoor air quality

Landscape Food service New structures/renovations Procurement Curriculum

Greenhouse Gas Calculators

 

 

Tufts Climate Initiative used own spreadsheet in 1999, prior to World Resources Institute (WRI) method http://www.tufts.edu/tci WRI tool is used by Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), often used for businesses: http://www.rggr.us/registriesbackground.html Ralph Torrie software through ICLEI often used for cities: http://www.cacpsoftware.org/ Clean AirCool Planet calculator for higher education: http://www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/toolkit/content/view/43/124/ DOE software: http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/frntvrgg.html

4. Articles
Cole, Lindsay (2003). Assessing Sustainability of Canadian University Campuses: Development of a Campus Sustainability Assessment Framework. Victoria, Canada: Royal Roads University. Graedel, T.E. (2002) Quantitative sustainability in a college or university setting in International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education Vol.3 No.4, pp.346-358 Shriberg, Michael (2002). Institutional assessment tools for sustainability in higher education: strengths, weaknesses and implications for practice and theory in Higher Education Policy 15, p 153-167.

5. Miscellaneous
     

Ecological Footprint Sustainable Development Sustainable Community Indicators Benchmarks NEG/ECP climate pledge Global Reporting

Our Ecological Footprint (EF)

www.rprogress.org

New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Pledge



 

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2010 10% below 1990 levels by the year 2020, and Ultimately stabilize the climate by making reductions of 75-85%

Sustainable Development
To be sustained


To be developed:


Nature: earth, biodiversity, ecosystems Life support: ecosystem services, resources, environment Community: cultures, groups, places

People: child survival, life expectancy, education, equity, equal opportunity Economy: wealth, productive sectors, consumption Society: institutions, social capital, states, regions
T.E.Graedel, 2002

Sustainability Challenges Ahead

Run civilization on sunshine Stabilize then reduce global population Protect remaining biological diversity Prevent pollution Manage agriculture and forests sustainably Repair ecosystems damaged in the industrial era Improve basic equity and fairness
David Orr, forward to Ecodemia

Sustainable Community Indicators

 

  

Measure progress Explain sustainability Educate community Show linkages Motivate and focus action

Address carrying capacity Address causes and effects Are relevant, understandable, and usable Take 25-50 year view

www.sustainablemeasures.com

Sample Sustainability Indicators

Traditional Indicator Sustainability Indicator Emphasis of Sust. Indicator

Ambient levels of pollution in air and water

Use and generation of toxic materials (both in production and by end user) Use of nonrenewable fuels Vehicle miles traveled

Measuring activities causing pollution

SAT and other standardized test scores

Number of students trained for jobs that are available in the local economy Number of students who go to college and come back to the community

Matching job skills and training to needs of the local economy

Global Business Reporting

Global Reporting Initiative (gri.org)
External reporting framework to communicate:

Global Environmental Management Initiative (gemi.org)

Sustainable Development Planner Climate Change Planner Water Planner

actions taken to improve economic, environmental, and social performance; the outcomes of such actions; and future strategies for improvement.

Ready to set benchmarks?

Good indicator:  Meaningful measure of significant impact  Involves relatively little effort and expense for information gathering Good benchmark:  Sets a high bar that represents significant progress within an indicator  Reasonable expectation of performance --Good Company