New York University
PAE-4: Sustainability Plan

NYU 2031: The University's senior administration engaged in a review of existing reports and studies that addressed the key issues, ambitions, and priorities of the University; prepared a draft document; and provided had input on early drafts from University leaders and two University-wide committees: — a special Senate ad hoc Committee, and the Provost's Faculty Advisory Committee on Academic Priorities. The University invited the entire NYU community to read and react to the discussion draft that was made available on January 25, 2008 for a six-week special "notice and comment" period. Over 230 comments were received via the special website established for this purpose. All comments were transmitted in their entirety to the Board of Trustees Executive Committee, along with the proposed final version of the Framework. On April 18, 2008, the Board Executive Committee made a few suggested changes and approved the document for submission to the full Board of Trustees for final approval. The full Board approved the document at its regularly scheduled meeting on June 24, 2008.

1. Reduce Energy Intensity (50 percent of NYU's climate neutrality goal): NYU will reduce the amount of energy used in buildings through conservation, "green" construction and renovation, retrofits and upgrades, and operational innovations to run buildings more effectively. Initial efforts have already resulted in 20% emissions cuts..;
2. Generate and use cleaner energy (30 percent of NYU's climate neutrality goal): NYU will generate cleaner energy on-site with a new cogeneration power plant, which will mitigate 23 percent of NYU's baseline FY 2006 emissions. NYU will also minimize the use of fuel oil to heat buildings, replacing it with cleaner, more efficient energy sources.
;3. Generate Renewable Energy (10 percent): NYU is exploring options to develop on-site distributed renewable energy generation projects on its buildings, including wind and solar technologies.;
4. Reduce/Offset Remaining Emissions (10 percent): Given the constraints of a dense urban environment, it is likely that NYU will purchase high-quality, credible offsets to accomplish long-term climate goals.

NYU successfully lowered its total emissions by 20%, from 171,000 MTCE (metric tons of carbon equivalent) in FY 2006 to 136,000 MTCE in FY 2009. NYU is investing $120 million in its new combined heat and power (CHP, also known as cogeneration) facility, which will be larger, cleaner, and more efficient than the current central plant. The new plant will account for the single largest reduction wedge in NYU's Climate Action Plan by avoiding 40,000 metric tons of carbon emissions, a 23% decrease below University-wide FY 2006 emissions.

Energy conservation measures include:
- relamping (retrofitting existing buildings with new lighting)
- building schedules (reducing lighting and HVAC during unoccupied periods)
- HVAC dorm occupancy controls (installing 2,500 occupancy sensors on HVAC in student residences)
- compact fluorescent light bulbs (37,000 CFLs installed or distributed)
- shutting down personal computers when not in use)
- lighting occupancy sensors (3,500 automatic lighting controls installed)
- bulb specification and re-bulbing (NYU-wide policy on efficient lighting)
- recommissioning (“tuning” large building HVAC systems).

Water conservation efforts include:
- scheduled retrofits of all residence halls with high-efficiency faucets and showerheads
- a greywater reuse pilot project
- a disposable water bottle reduction campaign spearheaded by Dining Services, which removed the bottles from meal plans on campus.
- Administrative offices are beginning to install tap water filters and in line filters to replace standard jug water coolers.
- Operations is collaborating with NYC agencies to obtain new “smart” water meters in all NYU buildings to enhance tracking and conservation efforts. NYU also secured a new hauling contract with innovative collection processes of waste, including single-stream recycling, composting, and post-trash collection sorting of some recyclables.

Transportation: In Fall 2009, NYU streamlined its bus routes and reduced bus stops, moves that are projected to cut the usage of diesel fuel by an estimated 16% and decrease the number of large vehicles traveling through lower Manhattan by an estimated 22%.

Waste reduction: Led by Dining Services, NYU has piloted sustainable food options, removed bottled water from student meal plans, and implemented trayless dining, an initiative that has reduced plate waste per meal by 44%. With new purchasing guidelines established in FY 2008, NYU now purchases recycled paper with a minimum of 30% post-consumer content; buys Energy Star-labeled electronics, appliances, and office equipment; utilizes recycled furniture from the Asset Management Office or purchases green-certified office furniture when available; and sets the default setting for printers as double-sided where possible.