Swarthmore College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Climate Action Plan (2012): "The College will further develop its Green Advisors Program. Currently Green Advisors are students who have volunteered to be leaders and guides in sustainable living within individual dorms. To strengthen this program Green Advisors should have more support – both in training and in receiving a stipend for their work (as funds become available). Each hall should have one or more Green Advisors. Their duties would include communicating with incoming students about ongoing sustainability efforts on campus, introducing sustainability practices during orientation for first year students, and throughout the year initiating and coordinating efforts in sustainable living in the dorms (including energy conservation practices, waste reduction, recycling and composting). The faculty and staff of the College also need ongoing education and training about climate change and sustainable living. To that end, a second group of Green Advisors will be developed from their ranks. The goal is to have one staff/faculty volunteer GA per building. Together they will serve as resident experts to support sustainable living while working within their immediate community."

Zero Waste Plan (2017): "Education in minimizing each individual’s waste footprint is fundamental to the achievement of the long-term objectives of the waste plan. Different segments of the Swarthmore community offer different opportunities for training and education. Coordination of these segments is critical to accomplishing campus-wide understanding of the best practices for waste management and how they can be incorporated into individual lifestyles." (The plan goes on to describe critical moments of education, including at student & employee orientations.)

Climate Action Plan (2012):
- Achieve climate neutrality no later than 2035
- Evaluate existing utilities/building metering data to compare building performance
- Complete an assessment of systems and facilities for heating/cooling
- Inventory all energy using/energy related systems (lighting, office equipment, HVAC, controls)
- Expand the comfort zone from the current building targets of 74-76°F in the summer and 68- 72°F in the winter to 76-78°F in the summer and 66-70°F in the winter
- Instal automatic movement sensors to turn off lights in classrooms
- All new buildings will be LEED silver (ACUPCC guidelines)
- Investment in RECs and offsets
- Conduct a GHG survey every other year

Environmental Sustainability Framework (2015):
"The College created a set of sustainable building standards for new construction and major renovations of existing buildings. These standards are informed by an in-depth analysis of key opportunities for energy conservation and renewable energy and the most effective areas on campus to manage stormwater. To accomplish this analysis and develop the standards, the Sustainability Framework Committee worked with a consultant team led by the architecture firm Ballinger. The standards were drafted in Spring 2015 and first implemented Fall 2015." Specific targets are outlined in this document for stormwater management, energy and carbon, and green building.

Energy Strategy for Sustainability and Resiliency (2017):
This report was developed to advise the Swarthmore College administration and Board of Managers regarding implementation of a comprehensive energy strategy to ensure the campus has reliable, safe, sustainable, and cost effective energy infrastructure to support the College’s educational mission.

Crum Woods Restoration & Stewardship Plan (2018):
The intention of the plan is to identify a clear and actionable pathway to re- storing the ecosystem functionality and resultant benefits to Swarthmore College and the larger community. https://www.swarthmore.edu/crum-woods-stewardship/reports

Dining Community Commons Project Living Building Challenge (2019):
https://www.swarthmore.edu/dining-services/dining-and-community-commons-project
The new Dining and Community Commons project is pursuing the Living Building Challenge Petal Certification v3.1.

The Climate Action Plan, published in 2012, states that a Sustainability Director will be hired to help to integrate sustainability into all aspects of the College's educational mission, operations, community life and culture will oversee the coordination of these activities. This position was established in 2015.

The Strategic Directions document, published in 2011, sets the following targets related to sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion:
-Invest in sustainable environmental practices, including minimizing greenhouse gas emissions from the College’s own operation and preserving the Crum Woods.
- Develop a comprehensive diversity, inclusivity, and engagement plan that will transform the College into a model workplace and residential learning community in an increasingly complex global world.

Additional details are available in the plan: https://www.swarthmore.edu/strategic-directions

Environmental Sustainability Framework (2015), approved by the Board of Managers:  
"Vision and Purpose: Swarthmore College has a longstanding tradition of embracing environmental sustainability including simple  living and conservation of resources. As an arboretum campus, the College also has a long history of land  stewardship. The College is a signatory of the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment and is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035.  The purpose of the Environmental Sustainability Framework, adopted by the College’s Board of Managers in September, 2015, is to organize the College’s sustainability targets in order for the College to establish goals and prioritize funding for landscapes, buildings, and operations. The 79-page document outlines standards, implementation plans, measurement protocols for tracking progress, and recommended next steps to advance the College’s commitments to sustainability and climate protection.
 
"Implementation Recommendations: Achieving the College’s goals requires a significant commitment of effort and financial resources to support, fund, and prioritize campus sustainability initiatives. Most importantly, success requires the ability to measure improvement and validate project performance, enabling the College to make informed decisions. The Framework includes strategies that will help the College achieve its goals and an implementation checklist to support tracking and reporting of the building guidelines."

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American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (2010):
Establishes the College's commitment to carbon neutrality by 2035.
Link: https://bulletin.swarthmore.edu/bulletin-issue-archive/archive_p=446.html

Environmental Sustainability Framework (2015):
Sets standards for College capital projects and facilities operations.
Link: https://www.slideshare.net/secret/l3whisbmifoq7F

White House Act on Climate Pledge (2015):
Hosted by the Obama Administration, this pledge outlines a series of commitments related to education and engagement, emissions reductions, buildings, and water.
Link: https://www.swarthmore.edu/sites/default/files/assets/documents/sustainability/Swarthmore%20White%20House%20Act%20on%20Climate%20Pledge.pdf

Put A Price On It Campaign (2016):
Swarthmore President Valerie Smith was the second signatory of the Put A Price On It campaign's letter calling on elected leaders to take action on carbon pricing. The College is an active proponent of the Put A Price On It campaign, for which our involvement put Swarthmore as a finalist for the 2017 International Sustainable Campus Network Sustainable Campus Excellence Award.
Link: https://www.swarthmore.edu/sustainability/policy-social-action

We Are Still In Signatory (2017):
The College joined over 180 leaders in higher education and over 1,000 leaders in the U.S. in declaring their intent to continue to ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in reducing carbon emissions.
Link: https://www.swarthmore.edu/news-events/swarthmore-college-commits-to-upholding-paris-accord

Crum Woods Restoration and Stewardship Plan (2018):
Identifies a clear and actionable pathway to re-storing the ecosystem functionality of the Crum Woods and resultant benefits to Swarthmore College and the larger community.
Link: https://www.swarthmore.edu/crum-woods-stewardship/reports

SDG Accord Climate Emergency Letter (2019):
The College joined universities globally in declaring "a Climate Emergency in recognition of the need for a drastic societal shift to combat the growing threat of climate change."
Link: https://www.sdgaccord.org/climateletter

This information was assembled by representatives from the Office of Sustainability.