2014 Integration Award, University of Washington
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The University of Washington has a longstanding commitment to sustainability through initiatives like its Climate Action Plan and Environmental Stewardship Committee. Key aspects of UW's approach include engaging students, faculty, and staff through programs like EcoReps and green certifications, pursuing ambitious sustainability goals and metrics tracking, and supporting student-led projects through the Campus Sustainability Fund. Notable projects include the UW Farm, Biodiesel Co-op, and Smart Grid energy dashboard.
2014 Integration Award, University of Washington
- 1. University of Washington: Integrating Sustainability
- 2. Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is the oldest university in Washington State. • 2007 – Former President Emmert signs the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) • 2009 – UW Climate Action Plan (CAP) submitted to ACUPCC • 2011 – CAP oversight charted 3 sub- committees to develop policies – reformation of the Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) • 2012 – Executive Order for Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability History Link to Climate Action Plan: http://green.uw.edu/cap
- 3. A Climate of Change at the University of Washington Link to Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7tC6OXa4Ao See more of the UW Sustainability Video Series: http://green.uw.edu/climate-of-change
- 4. The University of Washington fosters sustainability through an institutional approach that continually embraces multiple stakeholders as a part of the planning process. Sustainability is a significant part of the University’s educational mission, due in large part to student demand, engagement and activism. This focus on sustainability adds value in recruiting the best faculty, students and research support. Approach “We approach environmental problems from a multi-dimensional point of view, and we try to think about the full complexity of these issues, pulling connections and expertise from a variety of sources.” - Dean Lisa Graumlich, College of the Environment
- 5. Campus Integration Our campus’ strategy brings together students, administrators, faculty, and staff in addressing issues of sustainability. The Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability office coordinates information and facilitates initiatives within three campus locations, medical centers, and auxiliaries. The office also serves to raise university- wide visibility of sustainability. “Increasingly, the sustainability challenges we face today require connected, integrative solutions based on highly collaborative problem-solving research that spans disciplines and reaches across geographic boundaries.” - President Michael K. Young
- 6. Engaging Stakeholders The University of Washington aims to engage all stakeholders in the decision making process through information and transparency. Our stakeholders can get involved through our resources and programs. • Campus Sustainability Map • Green Office & Green Lab Certification • Peer-to-Peer EcoRep Program • Sustainability Tracking and Assessment & Rating System (STARS) • Climate Action Plan Outreach & Analysis • Sustainability Snapshots • Earth Day • Sustainability Video Series “It’s essential that students see the value of your sustainability efforts. They have to be engaged.” - Richard Chapman, Associate Vice President, Capital Projects Office
- 7. Planning for Climate Action Groups Represented: University Relations, Advancement, Faculty, Staff, Students Groups Represented: President, Provost, Senior Vice President, Treasurer Groups Represented: University Relations, Advancement, Faculty, Staff, Students Environmental Stewardship Committee Groups Represented: Students, Investments, Transportation Services, Capital Projects, Planning & Budgeting, Purchasing, Manager of Program Ops, Real Estate, Built Environments, Mechanical Engineering, Housing Advancement, Facilities – UW Tacoma, Strategy Management, UW Technology, Atmospheric Sciences, EH&S Strategy Management: Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Groups Represented: Astronomy, Faculty Senate, Built Environments, Students, Atmospheric Sciences, Capital Projects, Information School, Dentistry, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science, Business Marketing, Oceanography, Information School, Interdisc. Arts & Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Forest Resources Administrative Working Team Oversight Team Sponsors Advisers Academic Working Team
- 8. Environmental Stewardship Committee Represented by • 6 administrative departments (including 4 VPs) • 7 academic units (including 4 Deans) • 4 students • ex-officio members from UW Bothell & Tacoma campuses Identifies opportunities for collaboration among academic and administrative units, and offers the campus as a learning lab. This committee reports to the President, Provost, and Senior Vice President. “There’s no one leader when it comes to collaborative sustainability partnerships like this.” - Charles Kennedy, Associate Vice President, Facilities Services Link to ESC: http://green.uw.edu/esc
- 9. Commitment to Sustainability • A 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 • Reducing the University’s paper use by 30% and purchasing only 100% recycled paper • Recognizing sustainable practices, offering advice on areas of improvement and encouraging sustainability competition and collaboration throughout offices, laboratories, Residence Hall rooms and Greek housing “By making sustainability a priority in our daily operations and practices, we demonstrate in an authentic way our commitment to making a better world for us all.” - President Michael K. Young Link to Sustainability Lessons: http://green.uw.edu/climate-of-change/lessons
- 10. • A central portal for sustainability at the University of Washington • Promotes sustainability research and projects of faculty, staff, and students • Provides recognition for sustainable activities on campus Campus Stakeholders – UW Sustainability Above: The Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability webpage Below: “Sustainability Snapshots” – profiles of sustainability projects Link to Sustainability Webpage: http://green.uw.edu/ Link to Sustainability Snapshots: http://green.uw.edu/snapshots
- 11. With over 40 student groups focused on environmental and sustainability issues, students are involved with a variety of projects. • Peer-to-peer EcoRep program • Earth Day • Climate Action Plan outreach & analysis • Sustainability Snapshots • Sustainability Videos • Campus Sustainability Map • Sustainability Tracking Assessment & Rating System (STARS) Over $1 million has been dispersed to 30+ student sustainability projects over 3 years. Above: Student Group SEED – Students Expressing Environmental Dedication Below: Volunteers planting native plants Campus Stakeholders – Students Link to Student Groups: http://green.uw.edu/env-students
- 12. • Staff and faculty can participate in the development of a more sustainable campus via administrative functions and direct involvement with sustainability • Green Teams and Green Certifications allow staff to directly impact sustainability in their workplace • Participation in committees for planning and development of sustainability policy • Green Office and Laboratory certifications recognize leaders in applied sustainability Above: UW Sustainability map – locations of Green Teams on campus Below: There are many opportunities for staff and faculty to get involved! Campus Stakeholders – Staff and Faculty Link to Green Certifications: http://green.uw.edu/certification
- 13. Achievements The University of Washington has developed a Climate Action Plan working in concert with students, faculty and staff. As a result of this plan, we have achieved: • An 8% reduction in Greenhouse Gas emissions since 2005 • A 58% waste diversion rate, saving $1.2 million in 2013 • A University population where 81% commute using alternative modes of transportation “The most important thing we can do... is to focus on creating and sustaining a healthy living and work environment for students, faculty and staff.” - Richard Chapman, Associate Vice President, Capital Projects
- 14. The University of Washington Smart Grid project’s goal is to gather information about the costs and benefits of a smart grid. • Installation of more than 200 energy meters on campus buildings • Data from this project is publicly accessible on an energy dashboard • Tracks consumption and generation of renewable energy Above: Electrical usage of UW buildings can be compared using the Energy Dashboard Below: The UW Solar team with their newly-installed solar panels Sustainability Focus – Smart Grid Link to Dashboard: http://dashboard.mckinstry.com/uw/ Link to UW Solar: http://uwsolar.wordpress.com/
- 15. The Campus Sustainability Fund provides grants to student-led projects in sustainability. • Over $1 million granted to student projects, from installing solar panels to building a biodiversity green wall • Managed by a student committee and two student employees “Our on-campus research efforts also make us a public laboratory that can help incubate crucial sustainability breakthroughs that will help clean the sky, land and air for future generations.” - Paul Jenny, Vice Provost, Offiice of Planning & Budgeting Sustainability Focus – Campus Sustainability Fund Link to CSF: http://csf.washington.edu
- 16. A combined effort of students, faculty and staff, the UW Farm is an educational, community-oriented resource that teaches about building productive and sustainable urban landscape. • 54% of Housing and Food Service budget spent on locally processed/grown food, including food from the UW Farm • Managed by students, faculty, and staff • A project of the Campus Sustainability Fund Above: Students volunteering at the UW Farm Below: The UW Farm sells exclusively to UW’s Housing and Food Services Sustainability Focus – UW Farm Link to UW Farm: http://blogs.uw.edu/uwfarms/
- 17. A student-led project to convert used cooking oil from Housing and Food Services into usable biodiesel for UW’s fleet of vehicles and generators. • Managed entirely by students, with funding from the Campus Sustainability Fund • Has grown from laboratory scale conversion of biodiesel to running large, dedicated converters Above: A video from the Biodiesel Co-op demonstrating the biodiesel-making process Below: Used cooking oil from Housing and Food Services will become biodiesel Sustainability Focus – UW Biodiesel Co-op Link to Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovauwk5aRvs Link to Biodiesel Co-op: http://students.washington.edu/biofuel/
- 18. The University of Washington Sustainability Dashboard displays information on sustainability metrics and conservation targets in order to show the progress toward achievement of the goals outlined in the University's Climate Action Plan. • Provides clear and transparent information about goals and progress in sustainability Above: The categories covered by the UW Sustainability Dashboard Below: The Commuting section of the UW Sustainability Dashboard Sustainability Focus – UW Sustainability Dashboard Link to Dashboard: http://green.uw.edu/dashboard
- 19. UW Sustainability Leadership and Awards
- 20. Thank You! contact: Claudia Frere email: frerec@uw.edu phone: (206) 221-0391 web: green.uw.edu