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University Sustainability Best Practices Report for Colorado Mountain College

Natural Capitalism Solutions (NCS) conducted an external University Sustainability Best Practices research for CMC. NCS reviewed and highlighted other universities’ sustainability plans and initiatives based on similarity to CMC, and or because they represent sustainable leaders and innovators. Examples, lessons learned and or activities that can be translated to CMC are highlighted. The associated AASHE STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) program areas relevant to each best practice, along with possible AASHE score given by implementing that example, is also highlighted within each best practice.

Table of Contents

(Similar to CMC, Top Sustainability Leaders & Innovators)

Colorado State University Oberlin College University of Vermont Colorado College University of Montana – Missoula University of California – Santa Barbara Bard College Green Mountain College Arizona State University Unity College Appalachian State University Portland State University University of California San Diego University of New Hampshire Middlebury College NCS College & University Ranking Metrics


CMC Takeaway Establish a system wide waste diversion rate of 50% or higher by 2020. This is a very difficult process that requires a lot of stakeholder awareness and planning, however, every pound of material diverted reduces CMC’s waste expenses and GHG liability.

OP 23: Waste Minimization (5 pts)

Colorado State University

Overview Location – Fort Collins, Colorado Full-time students – 24,888 Building (sq ft.) – 8,113,279 Acreage – 8,809 Climate Zone – Number 5 (mixed – dry) Employees – 5,677

Sustainability Plan Overview Climate Commitment GHG Reports submitted each year from 2006 -2014 using the Clean Air-Cool Planet Calculator. Climate Action Plans submitted 2010, 2013, and 2015. Climate Neutrality date 2050 (75% reduction by 2030 from 2010 baseline) Awards & Recognitions First university to achieve Platinum AASHE STARS rating with a score of 85.29 Sierra Club’s #4 Greenest University in 2015 Princeton Review’s #12 Greenest College in 2015 Net Impact #5 in Social Impact & #21 for Environmental Sustainability. University Goals Every student will have a transcriptable experience (course, seminar, field experience, internship) related to environmental studies before graduating from CSU. To surpass 75% of waste materials diverted from a landfill in 3-10 years.

Innovative Sustainability Highlights CSU has established itself as a leader in sustainability, represented by their first ever Platinum STARS Ranking. Their success is no accident. By embedding sustainability in every institutional decision, CSU has been able to implement innovative solutions to complex challenges. The Integrated Solid Waste (ISW) program has enabled to CSU to achieve a 55% waste diversion rate, which is significantly more than the STARS average of 22%. If CMC were to adopt similar waste


management policies, CMC could easily expand upon the successes seen through sustainable food and composting systems at Roaring Fork and Steamboat Springs. Due to CSU’s commitment to include sustainability into every student’s experience, the University can be confident in its alumni’s sustainability literacy. According to an internal survey of CSU students, 82% of student’s correctly defined sustainability and 89% correctly identified GHG. This universal sustainability experience is becoming more common. If CMC wants its graduates to compete in the green economy, then sustainability literacy needs to be a priority. In order to achieve climate neutrality, energy efficiency is a must. One innovative way CSU has reduced energy demand has come from experimenting with different setups for their vending machines. CSU found that they saved more energy by switching to Energy Star vending machines and eliminating lighting than by using a power management system (vending misers). This has saved CSU 30,000 dollars a year.


CMC Takeaway Install “Energy Orbs” in key buildings such as the library, dorms, and lecture halls. This will provide students, faculty, and staff with a simple and immediate analysis of real time data displayed by CLEER’s Building Energy Navigator. OP 8: Building Energy Consumption

(6 pts)

Oberlin College

Overview Location – Oberlin, Ohio Full-time students – 2,959 Building (sq ft.) – 2,670,000 Acreage – 614 Climate Zone – Number 5 (mixed & dry) Employees – 1,085

Sustainability Plan Overview Climate Commitment GHG Reports submitted each year from 2007, 2010, 2012, & 2014 using the Clean Air-Cool Planet Calculator. Climate Action Plan submitted in 2010. Climate Neutrality date 2025 (65% reduction by 2020) Awards & Recognitions AASHE STARS Gold rating in 2012 EXPIRED Sierra Club’s #5 Greenest University in 2015 Princeton Review’s #35 Greenest College in 2015 University Goals 60% of all food sourced locally by 2017

Innovative Sustainability Highlights

Oberlin College has helped embed sustainability in its student culture through the Ecolympics Initiative. Every year students participate in a three-week challenge to minimize energy and water usage throughout the campus. Not only does the Ecolympics event give students the opportunity to try innovative water and energy saving practices on a large scale, it also helps quantify their individual and group impacts. In addition to real time impact meters, Oberlin has installed “Energy Orbs” in buildings to glow different colors based on the current resource load. When an energy orb is glowing red, students are instantly aware that the building is under heavy use, leading them to make more environmentally friendly decisions such as shorter showers. The Energy Orbs program can be quickly integrated into CMC campus buildings, such as the library and dorms, and has the potential to change students’ behavior. With the program, students will no


longer be able to ignore the effect of their personal choices and will help the facilities managers meet their annual energy reduction targets. The general chaos of dorm move in and out is widely known. Students must remove all their personal belongings in a short amount of time, which frequently results in students throwing away a lot of usable materials. Oberlin College became fed up with this routine and in 2007, opened The Free Store as an outlet to divert dorm waste.


CMC Takeaway Establish an energy efficiency fund that enables CMC to join the Billion Dollar Green Challenge. So far, no Colorado schools have made such a commitment.

PA 14: Sustainable Investment (4 pts)

University of Vermont

Overview Location – Burlington, Vermont Full-time students – 11,250 Building (sq ft.) – 5,300,000 Acreage – 305 Climate Zone – Number 6 (cold) Employees – 3,416

Sustainability Plan Overview Climate Commitment GHG Reports submitted each year from 1990-2013 using the Clean Air-Cool Planet Calculator. Climate Action Plan submitted in 2010.Climate Neutrality date 2025 (66% reduction by 2020) Awards & Recognitions AASHE STARS Gold rating in 2012 (65.35) Sierra Club’s #45 Greenest University in 2015 Princeton Review’s #10 Greenest College in 2015 University Goals Reach net zero electricity by 2015. (Purchase 100% renewable energy) Reach net zero heating, cooling, and fleet by 2020.

Innovative Sustainability Highlights The University of Vermont has joined the Billion Dollar Green Challenge, which encourages investing in self-managed revolving funds to finance energy efficiency improvements. UVM now charges every student 10 dollars a semester to help fund clean energy projects. The funds collected through this program helped replace 1,300 outdoor light bulbs with LED fixtures and is saving an estimated 500 MWh every year. Better yet, in three years, these LED lights will have hit their payback period and the funds can be used for other sustainability initiatives. Starting the fall semester of 2015, all new undergraduates will be required to complete a Sustainability Requirement. This policy is an effort by UVM to increase sustainability literacy as well as change the behavior of its students. New students will be fully aware of campus sustainability goals and achievements.


CMC Takeaway Secure a long term contract with a renewable energy provider. This would be a PPA or some other type of contract that will enable CMC to move forward in its CAP with confidence. OP 9: Clean & Renewable Energy

(4 pts)

Colorado College

Overview Location – Colorado Springs, Colorado Full-time students – 2,096 Building (sq ft.) – 1,959,308 Acreage – 95 Climate Zone – Number 5 (cold) Employees – 667

Sustainability Plan Overview Climate Commitment GHG Reports submitted each year from 2006- 2014 using the Clean Air-Cool Planet Calculator. Climate Action Plan submitted in 2013. Climate Neutrality date 2020 (50% reduction by 2015) Awards & Recognitions AASHE STARS Gold rating in 2012 (65.72) Sierra Club’s #59 Greenest University in 2015 University Goals To become carbon-regenerative and a net energy producer. (long term goal) Eliminate program fees to make field trips, blocks abroad, and other experiences accessible to students regardless of family income.

Innovative Sustainability Highlights The contracts that Colorado College had with Colorado Springs Utilities to purchase renewable wind power have expired, and the updated rates are no longer considered “advantageous.” As a result, the college’s renewable energy use is likely to decline significantly in the coming year and be replaced by natural gas and coal. This situation illustrates the necessity of long term renewable energy contracts in order to secure the college’s commitment to decarbonization. Hopefully, Colorado College is able to find a new source of renewable energy and reach their 2020 climate neutrality date. 2015 State of Sustainability Update https://www.coloradocollege.edu/dotAsset/f65a7468-eed5-4e70-96f4-bfecd2c981d6.pdf


CMC Takeaway Design and implement a pilot project for faculty and staff to reduce the number of days they are on campus per week. This can be done by transitioning faculty and staff to a 4-day work week and or by enabling more telecommuting options. OP 20: Employee Commute Modal

Split (2 pts)

University of Montana – Missoula

Overview Location – Missoula, Montana Full-time students – 13,643 Building (sq ft.) – 3,012,410 Acreage – 50 Climate Zone – Number 6 (cold) Employees – 1,580

Sustainability Plan Overview Climate Commitment GHG Reports submitted each year from 2007, 2010, 2012, & 2014 using the Clean Air-Cool Planet Calculator. Climate Action Plan submitted in 2010. Climate Neutrality date 2020 (64% reduction by 2018) Awards & Recognitions AASHE STARS Silver rating in 2014 (49.07) University Goals

• Offset 10% of UM’s purchased electricity by installing a 1.5 MW wind turbine.

• Establish a 4-day work week. • Design and give every new student a reusable to-go food container.


In 2010, the University of Montana at Missoula designed and installed a Model Room to provide students with a physical example of environmentally friendly setups. Frequently, students are unaware of the energy they are consuming. The Model Room shows simple techniques to reduce ones energy demand, such as putting all computers and lights on power strips to minimize phantom loads. UM-Missoula has a strong commitment to local food vendors. In 2014, the University bought 870,000 dollars’ worth of local and regional food through its Farm to College program. In addition to the university’s commitment to the Real Food Challenge, a Dining Garden Manager position was created to help increase food sourced by UM-Missoula’s campus gardens. Creating a position like this could help CMC institute the lessons learned by the initial RFC team in Steamboat Springs.


CMC Takeaway Establish a WAP by 2017. This process will require the buy in from a variety of different stake holders. Once a WAP team has been created, CMC will need to review historic water usage and practices. After a baseline has been established, CMC must solidify an aggressive but achievable reduction goal.

OP 26: Water Use

University of California at Santa Barbara

Overview Location – Santa Barbara, California Full-time students – 21,927 Building (sq ft.) – 8,303,470 Acreage – 81,055 Climate Zone – Number 3 (hot – dry) Employees – 4,394

Sustainability Plan Overview Climate Commitment GHG Reports submitted each year from 2008 -2013 using the Climate Registry's General Reporting Protocol. Climate Action Plan submitted 2009. Climate Neutrality date 2025 (this will require carbon offsets) Awards & Recognitions AASHE STARS Gold rating (71.02) Sierra Club’s #18 Greenest University in 2015 Net Impact #23 in Social Impact & #1 for Environmental Sustainability. University Goals At least 43% of the total campus electricity demand to be supplied by alternative energy sources. Increase organic, sustainable, and locally grown seasonal food selections by 50% and meat, poultry, and dairy by 5% over the next six years. Decrease potable water usage 15% by 2020.

Innovative Sustainability Highlights California’s water problems are serious. To support an increasing population in a semi-arid climate, water conservation and efficiency is a top priority. This led UCSB to design and implement a Water Action Plan (WAP) which is expect to save around 55 million gallons annually. While most of CMC’s campuses operate in a significantly different climate, Colorado is beginning to realize its own water crisis. The implementation of a WAP at CMC could reduce potable water usage by as much as 20% in


the next five years. Additionally, USCB found that over 80% of the infrastructure improvements had a payback period of 1 year or less. Sustainability problems are complex and require robust solutions. So when sustainability goals are accomplished they needed to be celebrated. USCB has recently won a best practice award for their public relations campaign, which aimed to increase sustainability literacy, share current university sustainability achievements, and educate stakeholders about future targets and goals. As CMC continues to improve its sustainability performance, it is important to showcase CMC’s success as well as it goals. Notable components of the UCSB campaign included informational posters, lectures, a sustainability summit, and Earth Day celebrations. UCSB Water Action Plan http://www2.bren.ucsb.edu/~wateraction/


CMC Takeaway Increase local and sustainable food options on campus by 25% over the next five years. CMC already has a great start with its campus greenhouses. This enables CMC to promote both staff/student health as well as the ecosystems where the food was produced. OP 6: Food & Beverage Purchasing

(4 pts)

Bard College

Overview Location – Annadale-on-Hudson,NewYork Full-time students – 2,040 Building (sq ft.) – 1,186,445 Acreage – 550 Climate Zone – Number 4 (marine) Employees – 804

Sustainability Plan Overview Climate Commitment GHG Reports submitted each year from 2008 -2014 using the Clean Air-Cool Planet Calculator. Climate Action Plan submitted in 2010. Climate Neutrality date 2035 Awards & Recognitions AASHE STARS Gold rating (65.38) Sierra Club’s #49 Greenest University in 2015 Net Impact #8 in Social Impact & #23 for Environmental Sustainability. University Goals 60% of all food sourced locally by 2017. 50% of remaining fleet consisting of future low- or zero-carbon vehicles by 2020. Reduce number of airplane flights by 15% in 2015.

Innovative Sustainability Highlights In connection with waste diversion and Real Food Challenge goals, CMC should look to Bard’s dorm composting program for an innovative solution to combat food waste. Bard College started a dorm-composting program where each week a team of paid “Composting Commandos” take buckets from the dorm kitchens and bring the food waste to compost bins at the community garden. This practice


would remove significant amounts of waste from the dorm dumpsters and increase the organic material available for campus gardens and animals. Bard College was an early adopter of geothermal heat technology as a part of its new building construction practices. Roughly 40% of the campus’ total building square footage utilizes geothermal for space heating and cooling. CMC should look at the possibility of including geothermal as a part of their new building guidelines. Bard College has worked hard to transition their janitorial cleaning products towards environmental friendly alternatives. As a result, more than 40% percent all of cleaning products purchased are Green Seal Certified. Aramark offers a wide range of Green Sealed Certified products, which make green purchasing targets easily attainable for CMC.


CMC Takeaway Reduce university air travel by 3% per year over the next ten years. While air travel is essential in certain areas, the ability to participate at conference and other events online has become widely accepted. This goal would assist CMC in significantly reducing their overall GHG emissions in a manageable time frame.

OP 18: Campus Fleet (1 pts)

Green Mountain College

Overview Location – Poultney, Vermont Full-time students – 799 Building (sq ft.) – 493,298 Acreage – 125 Climate Zone – Number 6 (Cold) Employees – 198

Sustainability Plan Overview Climate Commitment GHG Reports submitted each year from 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, & 2015 using the Clean Air-Cool Planet Calculator. Climate Action Plan submitted in 2009. Climate Neutrality date 2025 (65% reduction by 2020) Awards & Recognitions AASHE STARS Gold rating in 2012 (76.45) Sierra Club’s #12 Greenest University in 2015 Princeton Review’s #2 Greenest College in 2015 University Goals Biomass plant to exceed 85% of heating load on campus by 2020. Have the campus farm provide 20% of all food consumed in the dining hall by 2024 and 40% of all food sourced locally. Reduce air travel emissions by 80% by 2050.

Innovative Sustainability Highlights Green Mountain College has pledged to be a steward of the land, and has made a commitment to conducting impact assessments on regional biodiversity and ecosystem health. These assessments improve the College’s understanding of how it is interacting with its surroundings. Additionally, the


impact assessments are produced through a participatory process including several semester courses. By including students into this research process, Green Mountain College is able to boost their students’ environmental awareness and compliance both on campus and in the future. Green Mountain College also conducts comprehensive accounting of all College purchases in order to evaluate impact areas such as fossil fuel energy usage, particulate air pollution, hazardous waste production, and land and water usage. GMC uses coefficients from the national EIO LCA model in combinations with purchasing records to quantify the overall impact. For example 3 cubic feet of methane are produced and released when $1,000 dollars of office paper is purchased. Utilizing this practice would allow CMC to identify GHG intensive products in its supply chain and reduce Scope 3 emissions.

Sustainability Plans http://www.greenmtn.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/S2020whitepaper10.3.2013.pdf pages 29 & 30 – purchasing process


CMC Takeaway Establish a CMC Biking Club that can provide free rental bicycles and maintenance to all stakeholders. This project would also remove some simple by annoying barriers for individuals looking interested in alternative transportation options.

OP 19: Student Commute Modal Split (2 pts)

Arizona State University

Overview Location – Tempe, Arizona Full-time students – 68,374 Building (sq ft.) – 18,095,585 Acreage – 1,544 Climate Zone – Number 2 (hot - dry) Employees – 8,358

Sustainability Plan Overview Climate Commitment GHG Reports submitted each year from 2007- 2014 using the Clean Air-Cool Planet Calculator. Climate Action Plan submitted in 2009. Climate Neutrality date 2035 (50% reduction by 2025) Awards & Recognitions AASHE STARS Gold rating in 2012 (68.70) Sierra Club’s #13 Greenest University in 2015 Princeton Review’s #2 Greenest College in 2015 University Goals Replace all University-owned vehicles with alternative fuel vehicles by 2018. Eliminate 100% of agriculture related emissions by 2025. Reduce overall University energy consumption per square foot by 20% of 2007 levels, while producing 20% of energy from on-site renewable energy.


The lack of shading combined with long sun hours makes Arizona a perfect place for solar energy. As a result, ASU has installed over 80 solar systems throughout its four campuses with a combine total of 22 MW. In addition to renewable energy, these solar structures are providing much needed shading for parking. Currently these projects have provided shade for over 8500 parking spots. Despite CMC operating in a significantly different climate region, the solar parking structures can provide many of the


same benefits. These structures can be designed to provide parking spots with protection from the weather during the winter as well as produce clean, local energy. Three of the four main ASU campuses have a Bike Co-Op during the academic year to provide faculty, staff, and students with the tools and instructions needed to keep their bicycles running. One of the most popular Co-Op services is the free rental bikes. These bikes can be rented weekly or for an entire semester if needed. Biking accessories can also be rented for free, such as bike racks for cars or lights for night riding. The Bike Co-Op removes the fiscal and technical burdens that can plague both new and experienced riders. Sustainability Plan https://sustainabilityplan.asu.edu/wp-content/themes/sustainabilityplan/SustainabilityPlan_PF10.pdf Solar Parking structures http://asulightworks.com/blog/asu%E2%80%99s-power-parasol-cutting-edge-solar-structure-implements-energy-and-shade-lot-59 Bike Co-Op https://fitness.asu.edu/services/bike-co-op


CMC Takeaway Convert all campus grounds keeping and maintenance vehicles to B100, E85, or electricity by 2017. Transitioning these vehicles to more carbon neutral fuels is a relatively simple process. The more difficult task is often locating and guaranteeing the availability of these alternative fuels. Several organizations have had to create or join co-ops to source biodiesel as a way to avoid fuel sale regulations.


Unity College

Overview Location – Unity, Maine Full-time students – 381 Building (sq ft.) – 248,000 Acreage – 238 Climate Zone – Number 6 (mixed – humid) Employees – 144

Sustainability Plan Overview Climate Commitment GHG Reports submitted each year from 2008 -2011 using the Clean Air-Cool Planet Calculator. Climate Action Plan submitted in 2010. Climate Neutrality date undetermined (45% reduction by 2020 from 2009 baseline) Awards & Recognitions AASHE STARS Gold rating (66.59) Sierra Club’s #18 Greenest University in 2015 Net Impact #23 in Social Impact & #1 for Environmental Sustainability. University Goals A net zero carbon campus by 2020. Replacing 100% of oil boilers with pellet biomass by 2020.

Innovative Sustainability Highlights In 2014, Unity College became the first college in the US to completely divest from fossil fuels. This move was introduced in 2008 and unanimously voted for by the board of trustees in 2012. The original schedule had Unity divesting the remaining 3% of fossil fuels holdings by 2017. At least 15 other colleges and universities have joined Unity College in completely divesting from fossil fuels, and many more have made partial commitments. Naropa University is the only university in Colorado to commit to any type of fossil fuel divestment. If CMC were to commit to at least a partial fossil fuels divestment, it would be a Colorado leader, ahead of UC-Boulder and CSU.


As of 2015, Unity has transitioned all tractors, lawnmowers, and diesel vehicles to B99. This is a fast and simple way to quickly reduce Scope 1 GHG emissions. Using biogenic fuels not only lowers emissions, but also helps stimulate alternative energy economics. Every gallon of B100 or E85 that CMC purchases sends the message that CMC is committed to decarbonizing its infrastructure.


CMC Takeaway Complete AASHE STAR documentation and establish a metrics goal of 55%. (currently, 81 points out of the maximum 147) This goal is ambitious, which may require a longer timeline to implement.

Appalachian State University

Overview Location – Boone, North Carolina Full-time students – 17,385 Building (sq ft.) – 4,041,375 Acreage – 300 Climate Zone – Number 5 (cold) Employees – 2,701

Sustainability Plan Overview Climate Commitment GHG Reports submitted each year from 2007, 2009, 2011, & 2013 using the Clean Air-Cool Planet Calculator. Climate Action Plan submitted in 2010. Climate Neutrality date 2050 (50% reduction by 2025) Awards & Recognitions AASHE STARS Gold rating in 2015 (77.24) Sierra Club’s #23 Greenest University in 2015 University Goals Achieve AASHE STAR score of 65% or higher by 2019. (96+ out of 147 maximum) Eliminating Styrofoam in all dining by 2015. 30% reduction in total energy consumption by 2015. 90% waste reduction by 2022.


Appalachian State University’s student population has been steadily increasing over the last decade. As a result, the average student, faculty, and staff’s commutes are increasing. App State has joined a variety of other universities that encourage the use of a ridesharing app (Zimride). This app allows


users to post whether they need a ride or offering a ride through numbers platforms, including Facebook and Twitter. Because App State has set up a private Zimride Rideshare Community, all App State students, faculty, and staff can use this app for free. In order for most colleges and universities to give their students the most tangible and accurate education possible, schools need to take students out into the field. However, such immersive experiences often result in large GHG emissions due to transportation. In recognition of this problem, App State has created a Carbon Emission Calculator to help its stakeholders' quantity their travel activities. Now faculty are able to look the GHG emissions associated with taking the class on a fieldtrip. http://sustain.appstate.edu/initiatives/campus-initiatives/travel-carbon-calculator


CMC Takeaway Establish a Tree Care Plan. By doing this, CMC will have made a significant step towards becoming a Tree Campus USA. As of 2015, five other Colorado campuses have been recognized as a Tree Campus USA.

OP 10: Landscape Management (2 pts)

Portland State University

Overview Location – Portland, Oregon Full-time students – 20,269 Building (sq ft.) – 5,199,599 Acreage – 50 Climate Zone – Number 4 & 5 (Cold/Marine) Employees – 2,462

Sustainability Plan Overview Climate Commitment GHG Reports submitted each year from 2007, 2008, 2010 2012, & 2014. Climate Action Plan submitted in 2010. Climate Neutrality date 2040 (80% reduction by 2030) Awards & Recognitions AASHE STARS Gold rating in 2015 (68.67) Sierra Club’s #18 Greenest University in 2015. University Goals

• Create student leadership and resource toolkit by 2018. • Expand local and third party certified food expenditures by 5% annually. • Establish a local offset program for travel that is used by 75% of travelers by 2030.


In 2014, Portland State University was recognized as a Tree Campus USA which means that it has a tree advisory committee, a campus tree care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor day observance, and a student learning project. Part of PSU’s tree care plan states that there cannot be net loss in trees. If a tree comes down, another will be planted. PSU has also gone one step further by creating a tree inventory to help document tree placement, management, planning, and education. Portland State University Campus Tree Care Plan - http://www.pdx.edu/planning-sustainability/sites/www.pdx.edu.planning-sustainability/files/Tree%20Care%20Plan.pdf


CMC Takeaway Conduct a commuting survey for faculty and staff. This data will can be used to make CMC’s Scope 3 GHG emissions significantly more accurate. Once a baseline has been established, CMC should set a reduction goal in the near future.


University of California San Diego

Overview Location – San Diego, California Full-time students – 7,514 Building (sq ft.) – 12,544,700 Acreage – 1150 Climate Zone – Number 3 (Hot/Dry) Employees – 2,462

Sustainability Plan Overview Climate Commitment GHG Reports submitted each year from 2007 & 2009-2013. Climate Action Plan submitted in 2010. Climate Neutrality date 2025 (10% reduction by 2020) Awards & Recognitions AASHE STARS Gold rating in 2013 (68.32) Sierra Club’s #7 Greenest University in 2015 University Goals

Innovative Sustainability Highlights University of California – San Diego has one of the world’s most advanced microgrids. A microgrid functions just like a normal grid but on a smaller scale so as to integrate local energy options such as renewable energy. This ability to transmit energy from multiple sources increases the University’s resiliency in the face of extreme weather or technical failures. UCSD estimates that the Unversity is saving more than eight million dollars a year in power costs. UCSD has installed 50 BigBelly solar powered trash compacting receptacles around the campus in heavy traffic areas. This BigBelly receptacles are connected to the campus network to alert staff? when they are full. As a result, weekly collections and trash liner use has decreased by 90 percent and annual GHG emissions associated with trash collection has been reduced by over 50 percent.


CMC Takeaway Integrate sustainability courses into every degree program. This will increases the sustainability literacy of all CMC students and make them more prepared for a sustainable life after graduation.

AC 1: Academic Course (14 pts)

University of New Hampshire

Overview Location – Durham, New Hampshire Full-time students – 13,261 Building (sq ft.) – 5,482,045 Acreage – 2,600 Climate Zone – Number 5 (Cold) Employees – 3,286

Sustainability Plan Overview Climate Commitment GHG Reports submitted each year from 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, & 2014 using the Clean Air-Cool Planet Calculator. Climate Action Plan submitted in 2009 & 2014. Climate Neutrality date 2099 (50% reduction by 2020) Awards & Recognitions AASHE STARS Gold rating in 2014 (67.34) Princeton Review’s #34 Greenest College in 2015 University Goals Campus parking spaces to total headcount (students, faculty, and staff) ratio to be capped at 35%. To provide 85% total energy usage from the Ecoline project (methane capture from local landfill). To have sustainability courses accounting for at least 10% of all courses offered.

Innovative Sustainability Highlights The University of New Hampshire created the Ecosystem Task Force (EcoTF) to examine sustainability issues related to land use, development, and ecosystem management. The EcoTF is currently developing a long-term plan for the sustainable management of biodiversity and ecological integrity within and adjacent to the campus. While CMC is in a very different environment than UNH, the creation of a similar Task Force would enable CMC to have more access to tools to assess, evaluate, and manage the surrounding ecosystems. In 2009, UNH began using processed landfill gas from the Ecoline Project as the primary fuel for their COGEN plant. The gas from this landfill is expected to last for another 20 years. There is a Waste Management landfill 6 miles northwest of the Steamboat Springs campus. CMC should start the initial conversations with Waste Management to see if this landfill would be available.


CMC Takeaway Have the Green Team create a sustainability training video for all new employees. If CMC wants to show its commitment to sustainability, then the faculty and staff are going to need to be leaders.

EN 7: Employee Orientation (1 pts)

Middlebury College

Overview Location – Middlebury, Vermont Full-time students – 3,006 Building (sq ft.) – 2,366,886 Acreage – 356 Climate Zone – Number 6 (Cold) Employees – 1,260

Sustainability Plan Overview Climate Commitment GHG Reports submitted each year from 2007, 2010, 2013 & 2014 using the Clean Air-Cool Planet Calculator. Climate Action Plan submitted in 2009. Climate Neutrality date 2016 (60% reduction by 2015) Awards & Recognitions AASHE STARS Gold rating in 2014 (72.61) Sierra Club’s #14 Greenest University in 2015 University Goals Reforest a portion of Middlebury’s agricultural land with Clayplain Forest to sequester carbon. Finalize a non-idling policy for campus deliveries, outside vendors, athletic buses, etc.

Innovative Sustainability Highlights Every new Middlebury College employee is shown a welcome video which highlights the campus carbon neutrality initiative. This process increases the participation of staff and faculty in campus wide sustainability goals. The sustainability video includes information on recycling, composting, free publication transportation options, reusing packing materials, etc.… Twice a year, the Planning Commission for the Town of Middlebury meets with the College to discuss the College’s impact on the town and identify collaborative projects. This process could very easily be replicated with CMC and the larger towns surrounding its campuses. By facilitating discussions, CMC and adjacent towns would have the chance to address concerns and opportunities in a structured and formal environment.


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