| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.94 |
| Liaison | Caitlin Steele |
| Submission Date | July 21, 2023 |
San Francisco State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 4.00 |
caitlin
Steele Dr of Sust & Energy Sustainability |
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:
CSU Sustainability policy:
The CSU will seek to further integrate sustainability and climate literacy into the academic curriculum working within the normal campus consultative process. Activities can include but will not be limited to supporting multi-disciplinary course development, utilizing the campus as a living laboratory model, connecting sustainability with social justice, strengthening community partnerships, and creating appropriate learning outcomes. Progress shall be measured through the use of the AASHE STARS platform.
San Francisco State University not only has a sustainability literacy requirement passed by its Academic Senate for all students but it also launched a Climate Certificate in 2022.
Sustainability Literacy Requirement: https://bulletin.sfsu.edu/undergraduate-education/sf-state-studies/es/
Climate certificate: https://biology.sfsu.edu/climate-change-certificate
The Campus Climate Action Plan also includes sustainability objectives in the curriculum:
"Add sustainability literacy to the General Education Requirements and continue to involve students in the steps of the Presidents’ Climate Commitment. This objective has been achieved. The goal was to implement the sustainability overlay by 2015."
SF State Climate Action Plan: https://dev-sfsu-sustain.pantheonsite.io/sites/default/files/documents/SFState_CAP_0.pdf
The New Strategic Plan incorporates sustainability goals. San Francisco State University chose to use the STARS credits as a framework on how to increase sustainability projects across the campus. Currently, San Francisco State University achieved 10 out of the possible 14 academic points. The University has not only set a goal of increasing the classes that incorporate sustainability but also how we track those classes and advertise them to students. The Climate Certificate is the first step in that process.
https://planning.sfsu.edu/
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:
The Office of Sustainability runs the campus-wide Sustainability Committee which focuses on student, faculty and staff engagement. The campus also has a Climate Justice Leaders Committee which also focuses on campus wide engagement on sustainability projects.
https://climatehq.sfsu.edu/climatehq/climate-justice-leaders-initiative
https://sustain.sfsu.edu/node/5
Systemwide there is a CSU Sustainability policy that addresses student and staff engagement:
https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/11699668/latest/
The CSU will pursue sustainable practices, using AASHE STARS for guidance and reporting, in all areas of the university, including: business operations such as procurement; information technology; student and employee services; food services; events, habitat and land-use management, facilities operations; design and construction; and self-funded entities such as student housing, student unions, parking and transportation, children's centers, and auxiliary operations.
Each CSU will designate a sustainability officer/staff member responsible for planning and/or coordinating campus sustainability program efforts.
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:
Goal six of the recently published Strategic Plan for San Francisco State University includes sustainability in operations:
https://storage.googleapis.com/stars-static/secure/763/8/774/7403/SF_State_Strategic_Plan.pdf
San Francisco State University Climate and Resilience Report 2022 has measurable sustainability goals:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ttAoXFUKQD3FxjePGcNw-HQ9uzm9I7Y-/view?usp=sharing
or found here in the news section:
https://sustain.sfsu.edu/
older SF State Climate Action Plan is still being used as well:
https://sustain.sfsu.edu/index.php/sustainability-commitments
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From the CSU Sustainability Policy Goals, revised in 2022
Energy Resilience and Procurement
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1. The CSU will pursue energy procurement and production to reduce energy capacity requirements from fossil fuels, enhance electrical demand flexibility, and promote energy resilience using available economically feasible technology for on-site renewable generation, microgrids, and other fossil fuel-free energy storage solutions. The CSU shall endeavor to increase its self-generated renewable energy and battery capacity from 32 to 80 megawatts (MW) by 2030.
2. The CSU will consider cost effective opportunities to exceed the State of California and California Public Utilities Commission Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) sooner than the established goal of procuring 60 percent of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030 consistent with SB 100 (PUC§399.11).
3. To minimize use of natural gas, campuses will transition from fossil-fuel sourced equipment to electric equipment as replacements or renovations are needed. Any in-kind fossil-fuel sourced equipment will be justified through an analysis which demonstrates why that solution represents the most cost-effective option and what alternatives were analyzed for comparative purposes. The intention of this item shall be limited to no new investment in, or renewal of, natural gas assets or infrastructure as part of campus projects starting July 1, 2035, with the exception of critical academic program needs.
Energy Conservation, Carbon Reduction and Utility Management
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1. All CSU buildings and facilities, regardless of the source of funding for their operation, will be operated in the most energy efficient manner and transition to a low carbon strategy without endangering public health and safety and without diminishing the quality of education and the academic program.
2. All CSU campuses shall continue to identify energy efficiency and carbon reduction improvement measures to the greatest extent possible, undertake steps to seek funding for their implementation and, upon securing available funds, expeditiously implement the measures.
3. The CSU will cooperate with federal, state, and local governments and other appropriate organizations in accomplishing energy conservation, and carbon reduction, and utilities management objectives throughout the state; and inform students, faculty, staff and the general public of the need for and methods of energy conservation, and carbon reduction, and utilities management.
4. Each CSU campus shall designate an energy/utilities staff with the responsibility and the authority for carrying out energy conservation and utilities management programs. The Chancellor's Office will have the responsibility to coordinate the individual campus programs into a systemwide program.
5. The CSU will monitor monthly energy and utility usage on all campuses and the Chancellor's Office and will prepare a systemwide annual report on energy utilization and greenhouse gas emissions. The Chancellor's Office will maintain a systemwide energy database in which monthly campus data will be compiled to produce systemwide energy reporting. Campuses will provide the Chancellor's Office the necessary energy and utility data, such as electricity and natural gas consumption; water and sewer usage; fuel consumed by fleet vehicles, boats, and ships; waste disposal for the systemwide database in a timely manner.
6. Each CSU campus shall develop and maintain a campus-wide utility master plan which includes an integrated strategic energy resource plan, with tactical recommendations in the areas of new construction, decarbonization, deferred maintenance, climate resilience, facility renewal, energy projects, water conservation, solid waste management, and an energy management plan. This plan will be updated every 10 years and guide the overall energy and climate action program at each campus.
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:
President Mahoney and San Francisco State University completed a Strategic Plan in Fall of 2022. Sustainability, equity, social justice, and inclusion and belonging are among the top six identified priorities.
https://storage.googleapis.com/stars-static/secure/763/8/774/7403/SF_State_Strategic_Plan.pdf
The Campus passed an ambitious Climate Neutral Investment Policy in 2022:
https://foundation.sfsu.edu/socially-responsible
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:
CSU Sustainability Policy:
The policy “aims to not only reduce the university’s impact on the environment and educate our students, faculty, and staff on sustainable practices, but also to incorporate sustainability principles and climate science in our educational offerings” (CA State University Sustainability Policy Proposal, page 1).
The policy summarizes goals and intent in the first four numbered points, subtitled “University Sustainability”:
1. The CSU will seek to further integrate sustainability and climate literacy into the academic curriculum working within the normal campus consultative process. Activities can include but will not be limited to supporting multi-disciplinary course development, utilizing the campus as a living laboratory model, connecting sustainability with social justice, strengthening community partnerships, and creating appropriate learning outcomes. Progress shall be measured through the use of the AASHE STARS platform.
2. The CSU shall promote environmental and social justice through new and existing Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DE&I) programs such as the CSU Basic Needs Initiative.
3. The CSU will develop employee and student workforce skills in the green jobs industry, climate-related industry, promote the development of sustainable products and services, and foster economic development.
4. The CSU will pursue sustainable practices, using AASHE STARS for guidance and reporting, in all areas of the university, including:
a. business operations such as procurement; information technology; student and employee services; food services; events, habitat and land-use management, facilities operations; design and construction; and
b. self-funded entities such as student housing, student unions, parking and transportation, children's centers, and auxiliary operations.
5. Each CSU will designate a sustainability officer/staff member responsible for planning and/or coordinating campus sustainability program efforts.
The policy goes on to call out objectives in the following subject areas: Climate Action Plan, Energy Independence and Procurement, Energy Conservation and Utility Management, Water Conservation, Waste Management, Sustainable Procurement, Sustainable Food Service, Sustainable Building Practices, and Physical Plant Management.
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Actions that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
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:
CSU Systemwide Sustainability Policy aims to reduce the university's impact on the environment and educate our students, faculty and staff on sustainable practices, but also to incorporate sustainability principles and climate science in our educational offering. Sustainability Policy applies to all 23 campuses in the CSU.
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San Francisco State University has been fully committed to the carbon, sustainability and resilience commitments put forth by Second Nature since 2007. President Corrigan, President Wong, and current President Mahoney all signed the Second Nature President's Commitment.
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.