California State University, Long Beach
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

The university's Sustainability Task Force (STF) was established in 2011 to implement the actions and programs necessary to meet the Second Nature Climate Commitment. While the Climate Commitment remained a central focus, the mission of the STF evolved over time to include a broader range of issues. To elevate the profile and prioritization of sustainability and climate action at CSULB, the STF body was retired in 2017, and a new President’s Commission on Sustainability (PCS) was established in 2018. Under President Jane Close Conoley’s leadership, the mission of the PCS is integrating sustainability--defined as the intentional and simultaneous focus on environmental, social, and economic health--into all aspects of the university.

The PCS works to advance the following goals:
• Develop and support initiatives that integrate sustainability into all aspects of campus life.
• Integrate sustainability into the University’s Strategic Plan activities and initiatives through active engagement.
• Increase partnerships and collaboration with the City of Long Beach and the greater regional community to achieve shared sustainability goals.
• Raise the profile of sustainability efforts to meet and surpass university and state commitments and regulatory requirements.
• Elevate the profile of sustainability research, scholarly, and creative activities, and leadership at CSULB on a local, regional, national, and international scale.
• Enhance the ability of the campus to attract state, federal, foundation, and private funds by leveraging the university’s identity as a leader in sustainability action and research.
• Involve and engage faculty, staff, and students in sustainability practices and activities through instruction, outreach, and student life activities.

The Commission consists of four Subcommittees that address and advance the Commission’s goals:

• Transportation Solutions Committee - focuses on identifying and implementing programs and policies to promote a shift toward more sustainable transportation modes and reduce the university's transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.
• Sustainability in the Curriculum Committee - focuses on evaluating current courses incorporating sustainability concepts and identifying strategies for increasing sustainability course offerings.
• Communications & Engagement Committee - focuses on raising awareness about campus sustainability efforts and programs and building the CSULB Sustainability "brand."
• Carbon Offsets Committee - focuses on researching carbon offset opportunities that advance the university's educational mission, provide local benefits, and help move the campus towards its carbon neutrality goal.

The PCS is one of three bodies that make up the President’s Joint Commission, consisting of Commissions on the Status of Women, Equity and Change, and Sustainability. In addition to working independently, the Commissions collectively work together to advance key initiatives for students, faculty, and community to reflect President Conoley’s strong focus on inclusion on and beyond campus.

While anyone can be part of the PCS network and serve on a committee, the voting membership of the Commission is comprised of the following positions, which are elected or appointed as outlined in the PCS bylaws:

Six (6) Staff Commissioners (* indicates a permanent member)
o Vice President, Admin & Finance*
o Associate Vice President, Physical Planning & Facilities Management*
o Sustainability Manager*
o Representative from Housing and Residential Life*
o Representative from Associated Students, Inc.*
o One staff member-at-large

Three (3) community commissioners from the following groups
o Local business community, non-profit sector, NGOs, Community activists, both local and regional government representatives

Three (3) student commissioners from the following groups (with* indicating a permanent member)
o ASI President or designee*
o Associated Students, Inc. Commissioner for Environmental Justice (or equivalent position) *
o Member-at-large – undergraduate or graduate student

Eight (8) faculty commissioners
o Faculty members with an interest, knowledge, and commitment to sustainability from across the university; at least one from each academic college and one at large chosen by the University President

The Office of Planning and Sustainability is located and operates under Beach Building Services, the university's physical planning and facilities department. The two full-time sustainability staff report to the Director of Planning and Sustainability. The office also employs 2 - 3 part-time student assistants at any given time. In addition, the Office works in collaboration with several faculty members who hold official leadership positions aimed at advancing campus sustainability programs and initiatives.

The Sustainability Office actively works to develop, implement, and promote sustainability programs and initiatives that benefit the greater campus community. These include projects to promote sustainable operations, communication efforts meant to highlight and showcase the university's sustainability leadership, and academic programs and collaborations that support student learning about sustainability issues and solutions.

Substantive accomplished over the past three years include:

• Creating an updated Climate Action and Adaptation Plan in 2022 as an update to the university's original 2014 Climate Action Plan
• Creating and launching a new Masters in Sustainability Policy and Management degree program
• Completing the multi-year roll-out of zero waste bin and signage infrastructure across more than X buildings and the 322 acres of campus grounds.
• Developing and launching an employee educator's program called Sustainability Champions (fall 2023)
• Revamping the communications and branding for "Beach Sustainability" to align with the university's brand strategy
• Hosting the largest ever Sustainability Project Showcase in the event's 14-year history (with 90+ student projects on display)
• Preparing a successful application for and being awarded a $282,888 grant from the California Energy Commission to replace more than 300 water-wasting toilets and urinals.
• Developing and launching a new Green Events Program focused on equity and sustainability
• Redesigning the legacy sustainability curriculum workshop and launching the new and improved Climate Justice and Sustainability Curriculum Workshop
• Coordinated dozens of Campuses as a Living Lab service-learning projects, involving students in various hands-on sustainability projects
• Designed materials to support implementation and education around the CSU Single Use Plastics Policy
• Conducted several post-consumer organics diversion pilot projects
• Created and conducted a Sustainability Literacy Assessment
• Created and conducted a Sustainability Culture Assessment
• Developed a "Zero Waste" roadshow and presented to multiple campus stakeholder groups

The Sustainability Manager develops and implements strategic goals that reflect the
University's priorities and the agenda set by the President's Commission on Sustainability (PCS). The Manager works to foster collaborative partnerships with administrators, faculty, staff, and students from all University colleges, divisions, and departments to ensure recommended strategies and initiatives are implemented consistent with operational objectives, priorities, and resource constraints.

Under the direction of the Sustainability Manager, the Sustainability Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing and coordinating sustainability practices and programs across the university. The Sustainability Specialist will develop plans for achieving University sustainability goals, analyze current operations and practices, research best practices and areas for improvement, and create reports on sustainability efforts and initiatives.