Sustainability at SUNY Empire State College

E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y 2 0 1 2 – 2 0 1 5

sustainabil ity plan – executive summary 2012 - 2015 1

suny empire state college

Sustainability 2012-2015

IntroductionSUNY Empire State College recognizes the leading role that institutions of higher education play in the movement towards a more environmentally sustainable world. With outreach to more than 20,000 students, 60,000 alumni and 1,500 employees spread across 35 locations throughout New York state and seven different countries, the college has a remarkable opportunity to be an educational and behavioral model essential to promulgating positive change in our communities.

The Mission The Environmental Sustainability Committee was created by the college’s president in 2010 to advance the strategic plan and the academic plan of the college by engaging in activities that increase the environmental responsibility of the college and promote the theme of environmental sustainability in academics.

Our Mandates

In 2008, the college joined almost 700 campuses across the nation and Canada and became a signatory of

the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). In doing so, the president

committed the college to achieve climate neutrality. This means that the college is committed to

•adopt operational procedures and policies that lead to climate neutrality. For purposes of the ACUPCC, climateneutralityisdefinedashavingnonetgreenhousegasemissions.

•incorporate issues of global climate change into curriculum.

•spread knowledge and awareness of global climate change into the community.

As an institution of the State University of New York, the college has the responsibility to further the

initiativesdefinedintheSUNYstrategicplan,ThePowerofSUNY.ThisplansetssixbigideasfortheSUNY

system, one of which is SUNY and an Energy Smart New York. With this initiative, the chancellor has called

upon all SUNY schools to reduce energy use and increase sustainability education.

Asastateinstitution,thecollegemustcomplywithNewYorkExecutiveOrders4,18and111.Theseorders

mandate the college to:

• reduce waste

• increase recycling

• implement green cleaning and integrated pest management

• follow the state policies on green purchasing and procurement

• reduce water use in buildings and on grounds

• eliminate the purchase of plastic water bottles

• reduce energy use and purchase alternative energy (including vehicles)

•followstatepoliciesonbuildingenergy-efficientbuildings

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Plans for the FutureThe Environmental Sustainability Committee has developed two strategic plans that will drive sustainability efforts forward at the college. The Green Path is the environmental sustainability plan for the college. The Carbon Action PlanwasdevelopedtofulfilltheACUPCCbycreatingaplantoincrementallyreducecarbonemissionsuntilthecollegeachieves climate neutrality.

The Green Path Goal One

Reduce our carbon footprint, reduce waste, and incorporate environmentally responsible behavior into our dailyhabitsandtheworkplacecultureofeverycenter,programandoffice.Thecollegewill:

•eliminate use of plastic water bottles; drastically reduce the use of plastic, paper and Styrofoam.

• increase ability to recycle at all centers and units.

• reduce paper use.

• reduce car travel performed for the college.

•reduceenergyuseatallcenters,programsandofficesacrossthestate.

Goal Two

Increase academic offerings related to environmental sustainability. The college will:

• develop concentration guidelines for environmental studies and environmental science.

• promote the development of environmental sustainability studies (i.e., learning contracts, online courses and other learning opportunities for students) that meet general education and other expectationsinallareasofstudy.

• encourage and support the development of more regional residency opportunities.

• encourage and support the development of more internships, citizen science and other service learning opportunitiestogivestudentsreal-worldexperiences.

• work with the area of study groups to encourage the inclusion of environmental literacy/sustainability issues in guidelines for all areas of study.

•workwiththeOfficeofAcademicAffairsandtheRegistrar’sOfficetomakenewandcurrentlearningopportunitiesinenvironmentalsustainabilityeasytofindforstudentsinterestedinthesubject.

Goal Three

Establish a reputation for being a leader in sustainability initiatives in our communities and within higher education. The college will:

• remain involved in local and national organizations that emphasize environmental sustainability in higher education.

• increase its presence in local communities.

•maintainahighprofileforthecommitteewithinthecollegeandgainareputationforprovidingexcellentresourcestoemployeesandstudentsinterestedinallfacetsofenvironmentalsustainability.

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Carbon Action Plan The goal of the carbon action plan is to achieve climate neutrality by reducing the college’s carbon footprint to zero. Carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of greenhouse gas given off by an institution, an object, a personoranactivity,overagivenamountoftime.Thebaselineusedforthecollege’scarbonactionplanis5,442metrictonsofcarbondioxideequivalents(MTCO2e).

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Solid Waste

Directly Financed Travel

Scope 2 T and D Losses

Scope 1 Losses

Direct Transportation

Refrigerants and Chemicals

Purchased Electricity

Commuting 38%

26%

23%

9%

2%

1%

1%

0%

SUNY EMPIRE STATE COLLEGE

2010 Carbon Footprint

Figure 1: SUNY Empire State College 2010 Greenhouse Gas Emissions

0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000

National Average

Empire State College

5,175

16,041

Total Metric Tons of Carbon Equivalent

0 5 10 15 20

National Average

Empire State College14.7

15.27

Per 1,000 sq ft.

0 1 2 3 4 5

National Average

Empire State College0.5

4.82

Per FTE

Figure 2: Empire State College has a small carbon footprint in comparison to national averages.

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Projections for the future: The college has a low carbon footprint compared to other four-year institutions. However, there is still work to be done. A growing body of students and the projected change in property ownership will increase the college’s emissions by 35 percent by 2023.

It is projected that SUNY Empire State College willhaveacarbonfootprintof7,335MTofCO2e by 2023, a 35 percent increase over the baseline year 2010.

Plans for reduction: The carbon action plan outlines strategic initiatives for emissions reduction. Initiatives can be divided into three categories – structural measures, changes in integrated technology and behavioral changes. If the college were to implement all of the strategic measures discussed in the plan,anestimated607MTofCO2e would besavedeachyear,and11,872MTofCO2e over the lifetime of the projects. By 2023, this wouldequala10percentreduction in emissions.

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

20222019201620132010

Total Emissions (Metric Tons CO2e)

Year

Figure 3: It is projected that SUNY Empire State College will have a carbon footprint of 7,335MT of CO2e by 2023; a 3 percent increase over the baseline year 2010.

2 Union Ave.Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-4390

Rev. 10-31-2010