Cornell University
PAE-4: Sustainability Plan

In both 2012 and 2013 the Campus Sustainability Plan was developed by the President's Sustainable Campus Committee over a one-year period with participation from staff, faculty, and students. The plan brought together outcomes from several related planning processes that each involved extensive participation from all campus constituencies including the the Cornell University Strategic Plan, Cornell's Economic Impact on New York State, The Campus Master Plan, and the Cornell Climate Action Plan.

Buildings Goals: • PRIORITY ACTION: Refine energy modeling and building energy intensity standards to serve as an integral process within design and construction. • Assessment of carbon reductions and participation in Climate Action Plan update. • Support policy of LEED Silver and 30% less energy use than ASHRAE standards for all new buildings and renovations over $5 million with a goal of achieving 50% less energy use. • Reduction of average energy intensity to 150,000 BTU/SF/YEAR in labs and 50,000 BTU/SF/YEAR in office spaces. • Develop additional metrics and targets in the following areas: Standardized Tools for Building Energy Modeling, Post Occupancy Evaluations, Efficient Space Utilization, Outreach, Maintenance and Operations, Energy Conservation, Design and Construction Standards. Climate Goals: PRIORITY ACTION: Oversee the bi-annual Climate Action Plan update process. • Develop a draft policy recommending an institutional adoption of a carbon offset program. • Submit bi-annual greenhouse gas reports to American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) and annually to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). • Support university efforts to diversify energy portfolio with renewable sources through public-private partnerships. Energy Goals • PRIORITY ACTION: Reduce energy consumption through a college-level engagement campaign including green office and lab certification and building dashboards. • Assessment of carbon reductions and participation in Climate Action Plan update. • Complete 3 major Energy Conservation Initiative projects. • Create 3 additional renewable energy courses. • Explore opportunities for solar and biofuel energy production. Food Goals: • PRIORITY ACTION: Foods consumed on campus are produced and transported in ways that minimize environmental costs, support regional farmers and producers, improve human health, and are economically affordable to our community. • Food service facilities minimize waste at every stage of their operations. • Campus community members are knowledgeable about the complexity of the food system and can make informed choices that support a sustainable food system. • Students, staff, and faculty collaborate on research projects that address sustainable food at Cornell. • University policies consistently support a sustainable food system at Cornell. Land Goals: • PRIORITY ACTION: Research and adopt LEED-ND for campus development in 2013. • Assessment of carbon reductions and participation in Climate Action Plan update. • Develop additional metrics for land use, ecosystem services. • Engage Students in campus stewardship activities (FOG, COE, planning and landscape projects, measuring ecosystem services, etc.). • Communicate the naturalization effort to Cornell community. • Complete Campus Tree Inventory update to include ecosystem services (maintaining Tree Campus designation). • Promote use of and learning opportunities related to campus, natural areas, and city trails through creating maps, interpretive signs, QR information linked to through smart phones, and encouraging local hikes. • Establish green infrastructure for storm water management/CO2 emissions absorption. • Develop additional metrics. People Goals: • PRIORITY ACTION: Host one community-wide educational experience on campus that highlights the connection between diversity and sustainability. • Continuous improvement of Management Academy sustainability module for campus managers. • Work with the Staff Survey team on increasing personal energy program. • Create student-based lunch series. • Integrate key sustainability facts/information into the new employee orientation. • Support launch of Green Offices program. • Collaborate with Diversity Councils to develop a ‘Toward New Destinations initiative’ in one division that highlights the connection between diversity and sustainability. Purchasing Goals: • PRIORITY ACTION: Continue to work with R5 group and Dining groups to communicate contracts with sustainable suppliers. • Increase awareness of paper buying on campus through workshops offered at annual vendor show. • Expand the availability of e-invoices to suppliers w/ limited IT capabilities via web form. • Increase percentages of Ecologo & Green Seal usage specifically. Transportation Goals: • PRIORITY ACTION: Assessment of carbon reductions and participation in Climate Action Plan update. • Commission three (6) electric vehicle charging stations by June 2014. • Define LEV parking program by June 2014 for FY 2015 implementation. • Add 2 more bike racks on campus by August 2013. • Continue TDM program support that includes support for Ithaca Carshare, TCAT and Zimride. • Help institutionalize Big Red Bikes and C-TRAC. • Implement improved short term parking program by August 2013. • Complete bicycle infrastructure plan by June 2014. Waste Goals: • PRIORITY ACTION: Develop the scope, metrics, and network needed for a comprehensive, campus-wide full life-cycle materials management strategy. • Develop a university wide waste reduction policy. • Educate campus community through engagement opportunities with student clubs, green initiatives, green teams, individual efforts, and specialized programs. • Become a benchmark institution for Universal Waste programs. • Grow and develop money saving programs for improved management of university materials. • Be a catalyst and a resource for landfill reduction generated at large-scale university events. Water Goals: • PRIORITY ACTION: Research end-use breakdowns of water use and energy use associated with campus water use. • Increase awareness and encourage water conservation and the Take Back the Tap campaign. • Collect and compile existing data of Fall Creek watershed surveys. • Benchmark water conservation plans in preparation for 2014 re-write of Cornell’s Water Conservation Plan. • Update Cornell Design Standards to incorporate filling stations, as appropriate. • Increase web communications of storm water management initiatives. • Monitor post-construction storm water practices for water quality. • Coordinate with the Land Team to develop a campuswide storm water management plan.

The President's Sustainable Campus Committee prepare an annual update that is distributed through the Sustainable Campus website.