Sustainability council plans listening session, discusses progress at March meeting
The Campus Sustainability Council convened on March 14 to discuss the following topics:
Sustainability project updates
The council received updates on the following projects:
- Single-use plastic in vending machines: Discussions with vendors are ongoing, with July 1 as a negotiating point. ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ would like to select a vendor that follows sustainability protocols beyond just single-use plastics, including initiatives such as water conservation and electricity usage in plants.
- Sustainability curriculum: Katherine Eggert is organizing faculty fellows and concentrating efforts on the undergraduate curriculum for the upcoming year.
- Green Chemistry Commitment pledge: The commitment will be sent to the chancellor for his review and signature, following a vote and recommendation from council members.
- NREL grant: ´¡Ìý$220,000 grant has been awarded to retrofit a window system on the ENVD building, increasing its thermal capacity. The project is funded by Wells Fargo, and installation is scheduled for June/July with subsequent data measurement over the course of a year.
- Geothermal grants: Studies are being conducted on geoexchange and deep geothermal systems, with a timeline of nine to 12 months for results of the study.
- CAP Scope 1 and 2 updates: Building efficiency projects are being planned for the next 20 buildings, with potential rollouts of further window retrofitting dependent upon the success of the ENVD window project.
- CAP Scope 3 updates: Working groups are tracking categories in Scope 3, and procurement data is being analyzed for better emissions tracking and reporting.
- Zero waste: The zero waste board of directors agreed on the need for a campuswide waste audit to address food waste. A proposal and timeline for a third-party vendor to conduct the audit will be discussed before the end of the semester.
- Transportation Demand Management (TDM) grant: Because the CDOT grant may no longer be an option, alternative funding options are being explored both internally and externally to fund the proposed TDM work, which includes infrastructure, transit, vanpool and micromobility and pedestrian projects. An upcoming transportation charrette with the Transportation Working Group will help solidify a timeframe, priorities and an action plan.
Upcoming listening session
The Sustainability Council will host a campuswide listening session on April 11 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the ice overlook large meeting room at the Rec Center. The event has been marketed across campus through various channels. Three Leaf Catering will provide vegan snacks for attendees.
Council members Austin Hudmon and Alex Chamberlin are compiling a comprehensive document with themes from the last listening session. This document will showcase the current initiatives on campus, celebrate ongoing achievements and outline future goals.
Monthly meeting summaries
In alignment with the Sustainability Leadership Team, the council agreed to publish monthly meeting summaries through ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ Today, effective immediately.
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