| Overall Rating | Bronze |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 34.48 |
| Liaison | Rebecca Jones |
| Submission Date | Feb. 9, 2022 |
Austin College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.50 / 4.00 |
Rebecca
Jones Coordinator Center for Environmental Studies |
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:
N/A
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:
None
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:
We plan to continue to purchase renewable energy credits to offset 100% of electricity consumption, with the long term goal of using carbon offsets to completely offset the rest of our energy consumption from natural gas by 2035.
A greenhouse gas emissions inventory (campus wide) is completed every year to assess our progress.
Details are written in our 2021 Climate Action Plan. (Attached in the optional field below)
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:
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:
Austin College will strive for continual progress toward environmental sustainability and demonstrate what can be achieved to members of the campus community, other institutions of higher education, the local community and others.
Through collaborative efforts of Austin College students, faculty, and staff we will continue to assess and improve our environmental stewardship by inspiring and facilitating attitudes, behaviors, actions, infrastructure, and policies that serve to reduce the environmental impact of the campus. These efforts will always be mindful of the necessity of maintaining the financial health of the college, the financial demand on students and compensation of employees, and the social implications of both current practices and future changes.
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 | No |
| SDG Accord | No |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | Yes |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | No |
| UN Global Compact | No |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | Yes |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
In 2008, President Oscar Page signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (now the Second Nature Carbon Commitment), which addresses greenhouse gas emissions. Nine years later, in 2017, President Marjorie Hass signed the "We Are Still In" Declaration, which affirms Austin College's commitment to uphold the Paris Climate Agreement.
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.