Southern New Hampshire University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan 2022-2025

• Develop a shared and measurable definition of “sustainability” for our learners• Leverage SNHU’s distributed global network of learners to make environmental sustainability community relevant for all• Foster shared environmental sustainability outcomes across academic coursework that lead to increased academic opportunity (programs, minors, credentials, microcredentials, and similar) • Increase interdisciplinary environmental sustainability opportunities for all learners (experiences, projects, and other active learning)• Prioritize resources to grow SNHU’s academic reputation in environmental sustainability, regionally and then nationally, (through partnerships, active organizations, service work, faculty research, and internships) to the benefit of our learners

ssess and monitor the current level of engagement and awareness around environmental sustainability for students, staff, alumni, and other stakeholders over a multi-year period • Identify cultural competencies required to be sustainable leaders at each stakeholder level to build into Talent Development and Employee Engagement activities • Ideate and design educational tools and communication materials to inspire participation in the University’s environmental sustainability commitment for all stakeholder groups• Create incentive structures for the SNHU community to participate in all environmental sustainability activities, which could include monetary, public recognition, celebrations, or other desirable outcome incentives• Undertake a significant research project to identify local, national, and global best practices for environmental sustainability, both in higher education and broader industry to potentially adopt at SNHU

• Create our plan for carbon neutrality that includes resources, financial commitments, and timeline required• Implement Carbon Neutrality• Keep reusable items out of dumpsters for things like dorm room furniture, lamps, etc. and engage a reduce, reuse, recycle, re-purpose refuse initiative. • Promote strategic sourcing decisions that follow industry best-practices regarding total cost of ownership to maximize our resources while minimizing waste• Reduce energy and water consumption through energy efficiency projects while continually reevaluating the effectiveness• Promote and investigate innovative ways to implement and use renewable resources and emerging technologies

• Establish dedicated staffing to start and grow the office of environmental sustainability reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and headed by a Sustainability Officer• Support sustainability efforts within the University including existing and emerging academics and work streams • Leverage and incorporate existing resources and expertise across the University to help facilitate initiatives• Establish and maintain governance structure creating accountability measures and/or incentives • Facilitate and report on yearly goals for each workstream • Establish measurement system for tracking progress toward goals • Incorporate diverse and inclusive voices to bring environmental sustainability lens into new projects and initiatives• Develop clear incentives and accountability measures that support a mix of short- and long-term goals and will coordinate planning and governance of environmental sustainability for the University

I’m proud to present to you Southern New Hampshire University’s first Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan. When describing what our learners of 2030 and beyond are afraid of, climate change is at the top of the list. Climate change represents to our future learners what the Cold War represented to my generation. We see orientation around sustainability as a critical step toward offsetting negative impacts of climate change. Climate change is no longer one of those “bad things that will happen someday if we don’t do something” situations. Life-threatening climate events are happening now, significant catastrophic events are around the corner, and the time to mitigate impacts is running out. We are nearing a point when large parts of the planet will not be inhabitable by humans, food production will be greatly hampered, major cities will run out of water, and the intricate and complex systems that sustain life will break down. The danger is that the magnitude of these crises is so unthinkable that many will hesitate to act upon them, thus making climate crises an imminent self-fulfilling prophecy.It is the University’s responsibility to take a leading role with environmental sustainability and to adopt a culture that embraces sustainability in the major decisions that we make. This plan outlines how we will specifically impact environmental sustainability through four focal areas: Planning and Administration, Academics, Community Engagement, and Operations. The associated goals and strategic initiatives were prioritized through the hard work and commitment of a cross-functional A team comprised of 30+ individuals representing 15+ business units and teams who are dedicated to the importance of sustainability and how orienting around sustainable principles will have a positive impact on Southern New Hampshire University’s current and future community. I see this work as a core responsibility for the University based upon our sphere of influence as a leader in higher education committed to making the world a better and more just place. This is more than an initiative. Environmental sustainability is a movement and will be driven by the collective efforts of our various business units; current, future, and past learners; and our broader community. I present to you the SNHU Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan as the University’s formalized commitment to environmental sustainability as part of a holistic, University-wide strategic planning effort.

Economic Sustainability requires that our university use resources efficiently and responsibly to continue operating in a sustainable manner to persist and maintain the ability to act upon our mission. Our economic strategy is embodied by our Strategic Commitments in our 2018-2023 Strategic Plan: Unlocking Talent and Opportunity.Social Sustainability requires that our university persistently achieve a good social well-being oriented around diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) in order to continue to persist in the long term. Our social strategy is embodied by our DEI Goals in our 2018-2023 DEI Plan: Social Mobility and Opportunity Agenda. Environmental Sustainability requires that our university live within ecological boundaries in order to ensure a thriving environment for future generations. Now, we turn to a focus on environmental sustainability in order to meet our present environmental needs in delivering on our mission and vision without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their respective needs.

SNHU participates in Second Nature Reporting. The University also has a charter signatory for the Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitments.

Grand Coalition Statement on Paris Agreement “We Are Still IN” http://secondnature.org/grand-coalition-statement-paris-agreement/

The Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments (Charter Signatory) http://secondnature.org/what-we-do/climate-leadership/