Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.34
Liaison Ciannat Howett
Submission Date July 25, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Emory University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Kelly Weisinger
Director
Office of Sustainability Initiatives
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have current and formal plans to advance sustainability in the following areas? Do the plans include measurable objectives?:
Current and Formal Plans (Yes or No) Measurable Objectives (Yes or No)
Curriculum Yes Yes
Research (or other scholarship) Yes Yes
Campus Engagement Yes Yes
Public Engagement Yes Yes
Air and Climate Yes Yes
Buildings Yes Yes
Dining Services/Food Yes Yes
Energy Yes Yes
Grounds Yes Yes
Purchasing Yes Yes
Transportation Yes Yes
Waste Yes Yes
Water Yes Yes
Diversity and Affordability Yes Yes
Health, Wellbeing and Work Yes Yes
Investment No No
Other --- ---

A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:

The university seeks to support continued learning about sustainability through formal coursework, research, and the whole of life on campus. The university will be a laboratory for innovation, sharing its research discoveries and sustainability stories in formal venues and through our students and graduates. Participants in the Emory community will be ambassadors for the principles of sustainable living and a healthful future, both here and elsewhere.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):

The Office of Sustainability Initiatives collects data on courses that include sustainability, and keeps track of student co-curricular learning opportunities related to sustainability and climate action. OSI's faculty liaison administers the renowned Piedmont Project, a curriculum development effort that seeks to foster an invigorated intellectual community to address global issues and local sustainability challenges.


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):

The university seeks to support continued learning about sustainability through formal coursework, research, and the whole of life on campus. The university will be a laboratory for innovation, sharing its research discoveries and sustainability stories in formal venues and through our students and graduates. Participants in the Emory
community will be ambassadors for the principles of sustainable living and a healthful future, both here and elsewhere.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):

The Office of Sustainability Initiatives collects data on faculty research related sustainability and climate change. OSI's faculty liaison administers the renowned Piedmont Project, a curriculum development effort that seeks to foster an invigorated intellectual community to address global issues and local sustainability challenges.


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:

From Emory's Sustainability Vision:
Healthy University Structures, Leadership and Participation: Emory seeks to support equitable social structures within an ethos of sustainability, while developing strong leadership and participation among all students, faculty, and staff. Leaders at all levels who are inspired, informed, responsive, and engaged will include sustainability criteria in ethical and managerial
decisions. Leaders among students, faculty, and staff will collaborate across units of the university to develop sustainable systems of daily life and help Emory thrive, economically, socially, and environmentally. . . The Emory experience will engender a sense of place and a pervasive awareness of sustainability commitments which will invigorate cooperation among sectors of the university and will encourage aesthetic and celebratory expressions.

From Emory's Climate Action Plan:
Individual Action
Though this report has focused heavily on institutional actions that units of Emory University can take, the individuals that comprise our community are essential to the success of the Climate Action Plan. Small steps that seem insignificant to each individual add up cumulatively to major change in overall emissions. Students, faculty, staff, and administrators are partners in sustainability efforts and part of our plan will be
education and encouragement to participate in actions that reduce carbon emissions, conserve resources, and preserve ecosystems.Particular success in supporting sustainability-related individual actions have come from the on-line Sustainability Pledge, which encourages new behavioral choices, provides a forum for friendly competition and includes a greenhouse gas reduction calculator.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:

Please see Emory's Sustainability Vision: http://sustainability.emory.edu/uploads/press/2012/03/2012031411311814/Emory_Sustainability_Vision.pdf

Please see Emory's Climate Action Plan: http://sustainability.emory.edu/uploads/articles/2013/07/2013073112062066/Emory_University_Climate_Action_Plan_7.19.13.pdf

Other campus engagement goals:
- Launch Green Office and Green Lab programs in 2013
- Revise Green Event program in 2014
- Increase participation in all student, staff, and faculty sustainability committees


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):

The Office of Sustainability Initiatives oversees campus engagement in sustainability-related activities, and works with partner departments across campus to meet goals.


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:

Included throughout the "Creating Community" section of the Strategic Plan, and coordinated thoughtfully by the Center for Community Partnerships.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):

Emory's Strategic Plan calls for "Creating Community" and "Engaging Society" through leadership development, increasing diversity, sustainability, and professional development. Please see the text of the Plan for detailed strategies. The ten-year plan is in place from 2005-2015. http://www.emory.edu/strategicplan/


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):

Accountable parties include the Office of Sustainability Initiatives, Center for Community Partnerships, Office of Community and Diversity, and Human Resources.


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:

The Emory University Climate Action Plan was developed through the cooperation of two presidentially-appointed committees created in 2010: The Climate Action Plan Committee, made up of faculty, staff, and students, and the Carbon Reduction Taskforce, made up of staff members from Campus Services. Together, they studied the issues and opportunities, assessed feasibility, gathered campus advice and support, and put forward the following ambitious, yet achievable, goals for greenhouse gas emissions reduction for Emory University (from a 2005 baseline):By 2020: 20% reduction in total emissions, 35% reduction per square foot. By 2036 (Emory’s 200th anniversary year): 36% reduction in total emissions, 50% reduction per square foot. By 2050: 50% reduction in total emissions, 85% reduction per square foot. The recommendations of the Climate Action Plan propose a comprehensive approach to reach these goals, offering emission reduction strategies in the categories of sustainable building and construction, energy, transportation, waste management, food, procurement, academic programs, and individual action. Each academic and several operational units of the university are asked to choose specific strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to report their progress annually.Updates to future master plans and strategic plans of the university will also include steps for achieving these plans.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):

The Climate Action Plan Committee and the Carbon Reduction Task Force affirmed the following ambitious, yet achievable goals for greenhouse gas emissions reduction for Emory University. All are in comparison to a baseline of fiscal year 2005 and are based on Emory’s greenhouse gas inventory, experience with resource use reduction in the past decade, and international experience with strategies to reduce emissions. By 2020: 20% reduction in total emissions, 35% reduction per square foot. By 2036 (Emory’s 200th anniversary year): 36% reduction in total emissions, 50% reduction per square foot. By 2050: 50% reduction in total emissions, 85% reduction per square foot.
Some universities have established emissions reduction goals only per square foot of building space, but if campus growth is robust, such an approach will not make any reductions in total greenhouse gas emissions. In recognition of the global urgency to reduce total quantities of emissions in the atmosphere, Emory has adopted goals both or total emissions as well as per 8 square foot. These aggressive goals move us closer our ultimate goal of operating in a carbon neutral manner.

The full text of the plan can be found at http://sustainability.emory.edu/uploads/articles/2013/07/2013073112062066/Emory_University_Climate_Action_Plan_7.19.13.pdf.


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):

Emory's Office of Sustainability Initiatives collaborate with Emory's Campus Services department, sharing accountability for Climate Action Plan goals.


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:

Emory seeks to be a global model through attention to this region and its natural cycles, efficiency in the use of resources and the reduction of waste, and restorative action in the built environment. Our buildings will embody sustainability practices so as to teach, be catalysts for change, and provide incubators for innovation. Our buildings will also be attentive to the abilities of all users, following what is known as universal sustainable design principles for accessibility. Through a commitment to human and ecosystemic health here and elsewhere, Emory will seek to partner with other local
institutions to lead the wider economic marketplace towards greening the supply chain
-developing systems of production, distribution, and consumption that reduce pollution and conserve resources.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):

Emory's Office of Sustainability Initiatives collaborates with Campus Services to achieve goals related to the built environment.


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:

Emory's sustainability vision sets an ambitious goal of 75 percent local or sustainably grown food in its hospitals and cafeterias by 2015. Sustainably grown food supports environmental health, worker welfare and wages, and farm viability, as well as taste and nutrition.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):

Emory's Office of Sustainability collaborates with Emory Dining, Emory Healthcare Food & Nutrition, and the Sustainable Food Committee to achieve sustainable food goals.


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:

Emory's goal is to reduce energy use 25 percent per square foot by 2015 from 2005 levels. Emory plans to achieve this goal through both operational changes, such as improving the efficiency of lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation, and behavioral change such as turning off lights, computers, and other simple steps individuals can take.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):

Emory's Office of Sustainability Initiatives collaborates with Campus Services and Emory Healthcare to achieve goals in energy use reduction.


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:

Emory University is a campus abundant with natural beauty, open spaces, trees and plant life. In fact, Emory's campus includes some of the most biodiverse forest inside Atlanta's I-285 perimeter. In 2004, Emory committed to:

- Leave roughly half of the University's 700 acres of land undeveloped, supporting the protection of the Wesley Woods, Baker, and Lullwater forests.
-Beginning in 2003, a University policy has required that campus land suffer "No-Net-Loss-of-Forest-Canopy," ensuring every time a tree is removed, trees be replanted to maintain the same forest canopy.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):

Emory's Office of Sustainability Initiatives collaborates with Campus Services and Emory Healthcare to achieve goals in for sustainable grounds and landscaping.


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:

Through its Sustainability Vision, Climate Action Plan, Supplier Code of Conduct, Core Statements on computer purchases, janitorial products, and supplier diversity, and Emory's founding membership in the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council, Emory addresses sustainable procurement through supplier contracts and purchasing behavior change and education.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):

Emory's Office of Sustainability Initiatives collaborates with the Procurement and Payment Services department to achieve goals for sustainable purchasing.


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:

Emory is committed to its role as model of a progressive, sustainable, 'green' campus. Members of the Emory community are encouraged to work together to re-examine their modes of commuting and consider modes that share all or part of the ride with others. Emory offers a suite of commute alternatives and incentives for faculty, staff and students.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):

The Office of Sustainability Initiatives collaborates with the department of Transportation and Parking Services to achieve goals related to sustainable transportation.


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:

Emory encourages all members of its community to help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. The University is committed to an overall goal of diverting Emory's total waste stream by 65% by 2015, including recycling 100% of electronics waste and road construction materials and composting, recycling, or reusing at least 95% of food waste, animal bedding, and building construction materials.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):

65% Diversion from the Landfill by 2015, from 2005 baseline

For more information, please see Emory's Sustainability Vision here: http://sustainability.emory.edu/uploads/press/2012/03/2012031411311814/Emory_Sustainability_Vision.pdf

and

Emory's Climate Action Plan here: http://sustainability.emory.edu/uploads/articles/2013/07/2013073112062066/Emory_University_Climate_Action_Plan_7.19.13.pdf


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):

Emory's Office of Sustainability Initiatives collaborates with Campus Services to achieve waste diversion goals.


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:

In light of Georgia's recent severe drought, water conservation is more important than ever. Metro Atlanta is the largest municipality reliant on the smallest single watershed in America.

In 1995, the University developed a statement of principles to reduce water consumption in Atlanta and Oxford. Then, in 2007, a consulting team was hired to develop a comprehensive storm water management plan addressing storm water management, waste-water management, and overall water conservation on Emory's campuses.

Currently Emory has one of the largest green building inventories by square footage among all universities in the nation.
Emory's green buildings conserve water in the following ways:

A closed-loop laser system helps the Math and Science Center save 2.8 million gallons of water per year.
Water use in Candler Library has been reduced by 30 percent.
Low-flow fixtures in the Goizueta Business School reduced water use by 20 percent. Cisterns also capture storm water and condensate from air handling units for irrigation.
Water-saving fixtures at the Winship Cancer Institute Center reduced water use by 24 percent.
The Whitehead Biomedical Research Building and Emory-Children's Center conserve water and energy at the same time by using large heat wheels to wring the humidity out of the atmosphere, resulting in almost 4 million gallons per year of water being captured and used in Emory's chilled-water system.
Emory's Evans and Few residence halls, designed to LEED standards, pump collected rainwater using solar power to flush toilets. Emory's Longstreet and Means first-year residence halls collect grey water and rain water for toilet flushing.
Low-flow shower heads, dual-flush toilets, and low-flow urinals are installed at various locations on campus.
Rainwater cisterns holding over 350,000 gallons of collected rainwater can be used to water campus trees and gardens


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):

Emory's Office of Sustainability Initiatives collaborates with Campus Services to achieve water use reduction goals.


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:

Emory University strives to provide a welcoming, diverse and inclusive campus as an essential part of a community of academic excellence.

Emory's traditions of ethically based personal and institutional engagement in all our learning and working environments seek to build a community of shared excellence for all students, faculty and staff.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):

The Office of Community and Diversity, founded in 2007, works directly with four areas: the Center for Community Partnerships, the Center for Women, the Office of Disability Services and the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs. It also convenes the Steering Committee of the Advisory Council on Community and Diversity.

The Office of Multicultural Programs & Services and the Office of LGBT Life are departments in Campus Life that work to build unity through respect and appreciation for individual and cultural differences.


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):

Faculty Staff Assistance Program, Student Health and Counseling Services Department


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:

N/A


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):

N/A


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):

N/A


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
---

The institution’s definition of sustainability:

The Brundtland Commission identified sustainable development in 1987 as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs. A sustainable Emory will be part of a healthy ecosystem; we seek to reduce the university’s harmful impacts on the environment and contribute to regeneration of the ecosystem. A thriving economic sector will provide equitable opportunities for satisfying livelihoods and study through a safe, healthy, high quality of life for current and future generations. A sustainable Emory community implicates social dimensions, including a rich fabric of cultural diversity and the opportunity for all members to play a role in determining their own future. The intersections of social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainability are the “triple bottom line” by which we will assess our progress.


Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
Yes

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:

Sustainability is included in the "Creating Community - Engaging Society" theme of Emory's 2005-2015 Strategic Plan, and called for the development and implementation of a sustainability plan to help restore the global ecosystem, foster healthy living, and reduce the University's impact on the local environment, which included the establishment of the Office of Sustainability Initiatives in 2006.


The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
http://sustainability.emory.edu/page/1037/Our-Vision

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Descriptions and measurable goals for each of the above categories are outlined specifically and incorporated throughout several plans that are currently being implemented. Rather than pull each sentence from those plans that relates to the above categories, we have directed you to the plans in full. We believe you will get a better sense of Emory's plans, goals, and accomplishments by reading the full text of the plans.


Data source(s) and notes about the submission

Descriptions and measurable goals for each of the above categories are outlined specifically and incorporated throughout several plans that are currently being implemented. Rather than pull each sentence from those plans that relates to the above categories, we have directed you to the plans in full. We believe you will get a better sense of Emory's plans, goals, and accomplishments by reading the full text of the plans.

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.