University of Southern California
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Part 1. Measurable sustainability objectives

Institution has a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address one or more of the following:

• Academics - sustainability in curriculum and/or research

• Engagement - student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability

• Operations (e.g., sustainable resource use, emissions, groundskeeping, procurement)

• Administration (e.g., diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; wellbeing)

The criteria for Part 1 may be met by any combination of published plans, for example:

• Sustainability plan

• Campus master plan or physical campus plan

• Climate action plan

• Diversity and inclusion plan

• Human resources strategic plan

• Strategic plan or equivalent guiding document

Part 2. Sustainability in institution’s highest guiding document

Institution includes the integrated concept of sustainability (as opposed to one or more aspects of sustainability) in its highest guiding document, e.g., a published, institution-widestrategic plan or the equivalent.

Sustainability may be included in the highest guiding document as a major theme (e.g., in a section on sustainability, as a major institutional goal, or through multiple sustainability-focused objectives) or as a minor theme (e.g., in passing, as part of a vision or values statement, or in objectives that are related to rather than focused on sustainability). A strategic plan that addresses aspects of sustainability, sustainability issues/concepts, and/or sustainability challenges, but not the integrated concept of sustainability does not qualify.

For institutions that are a part of a larger system, plans developed at the system level are eligible for this credit.

This credit applies to all institutions. 

Each part is scored independently.

Part 1

An institution earns the maximum of 2 points available for Part 1 of this credit for having a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives related to Academics, Engagement, Operations, and Administration. Partial points are available based on the number of categories addressed. For example, a institution with published plans that include measurable objectives related to two of the four categories would earn 1 point (half of the points available for Part 1).

Part 2

An institution earns the maximum of 2 points available for Part 2 of this credit for including the integrated concept of sustainability as a major theme in its highest guiding document. Partial points are awarded for guiding documents that include the integrated concept of sustainability, but not as major theme. An institution with a guiding document that includes sustainability in a less prominent way earns 1 point for Part 2.

Timeframe

Report on the institution’s published plan(s) at the time of submission. Draft documents are not eligible for this credit.       

Sampling and Data Standards

Not applicable.