View
218
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
A Comparative Tool forEvaluating Campus Sustainability
www.aashe.org/stars
Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS)
Erik Foley, MBAManager of Sustainability
Penn State University
Goals of STARSProvide a guide for advancing
sustainability in all sectors of higher education
Enable meaningful comparisons across and within institutions
Create incentives for continual improvement
Facilitate information sharingBuild a stronger, more diverse campus
sustainability community
Elements of STARSChecklist of indicators (similar to LEED)Two tiers of indicatorsThresholds of achievementGuidance and resources Comprehensive – all campus sectorsTransparency (public reporting and
access)Outside certification optionalRating good for 3 years
Background of STARSCreated using sustainability reports and
indicator tools from industry, higher education and government
Research and Development of STARS took 3 years
Has been tested by 70 institutions whose feedback was incorporated into the current version STARS 1.0
Categories of CreditsEducation & Research (100
points)
Operations (100 points)
Planning, Administration (100 points)& Engagement
Rating v. AssessmentAssessment:
Evaluation of many sustainability practices
Able to compare individual metrics No aggregation
Rating:Aggregation of many sustainability indicators
Point values assigned to allow aggregatingTotal score (single metric) determines “rating”
Why “Rating” Not “Ranking”?
A rating system:Allows for more in depth questionsProvides a clear standard, while
ranking creates a moving targetGenerally more transparentOnly gives positive recognitionCan be self-fundingMore inclusive
Category 1: Education & ResearchSample: Sustainability-Focused
Courses (10 points)Credit Rationale“This credit recognizes institutions that offer academic courses focused on
sustainability. . .”
Scoring“Institutions earn the maximum of 10 points for this credit if sustainability-
courses comprise 10 percent or more of all courses offered. . .Points are calculated [using this equation]. . .”
100 x # of Sustainability-Focused Courses ÷ Total # of Courses =
Reporting Fields Number of Sustainability-Focused Courses Total Number of Courses An indication of whether data cover one, two or three years
Category 2: Operations
Credit AreasBuildings
Climate
Dining Services
Energy
Grounds
Purchasing
Transportation
Waste
Water
Category 2: OperationsSample: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Reduction (14
points)Credit Rationale“This credit recognizes institutions that have reduced their greenhouse gas
emissions [compared to a 2005 baseline].”
Scoring“Institutions earn the maximum of 14 points. . .by achieving climate neutrality.
Incremental points are awarded for reducing GHG emissions compared to the 2005 baseline [ex. a 50 percent reduction would result in 7 points].”
Points Earned = 14 x {[(A/B) – (C/D)] / (A/B)}
A = GHG baseline emissions (2005) B = campus users (2005)C = GHG emissions (performance year-PY) D = campus users (PY)
Category 3: Planning, Administration & EngagementCredit areas:
Coordination & Planning
Diversity and Affordability
Human Resources
Investment
Public Engagement
Category 3: Planning, Administration & EngagementSample: Strategic Plan (6 points)Credit Rationale“This credit recognizes institutions that have made a formal,
substantive commitment to sustainability by including it in their strategic plan. . .”
Scoring“Institutions earn the maximum of 6 points for including the economic,
social and environmental dimensions of sustainability at a high level in the strategic plan. . .”
Reporting Fields Indicate whether your institution meets this credit Year the strategic plan was adopted Affirmation of the accuracy of submitted information
Recommended