Coordination & Planning
Introduction
Staff and other resources help an institution organize, implement, and publicize sustainability initiatives. These resources provide the infrastructure that fosters sustainability within an institution. Sustainability planning affords an institution the opportunity to clarify its vision of a sustainable future, establish priorities and help guide budgeting and decision making.
Featured Resources
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New Resources
Growing Your People: Advancing Sustainability Through Employee Empowerment
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
Learn how to harness the potential of existing employees to help further your organization’s sustainability goals by designing thriving Green Ambassador & professional development programs that empower employees to embed …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Mentorship in Higher Education Sustainability
- Emerson College (MA)
Sustainability Offices are typically small and operate in unique and sometimes challenging organizational structures, leaving staff feeling isolated while managing huge organizational change efforts. Sustainability staff from American University and …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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NAU’S 2022 True-Blue Summer Flex Policy: Financial, Human, and Environmental Sustainability
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
In 2022, Northern Arizona University (NAU) implemented a "New NAU workplace" policy, which included True-Blue Summer Fridays, a hybrid-first strategy, and flexible core business hours. The True-Blue Summer Friday program …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Collaborative Sustainability: Unlocking the Power of Scope 3 Partnerships
- Follett Corporation (IL)
- GreenPlaces (NC)
With time running out on climate commitments, many institutions struggle with addressing Scope 3 emissions. Data collection is highly manual, and many institutions simply don’t know where to start given …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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What Greenhouse Gas Inventories Tell Us About our Carbon Goals
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
Decarbonizing college campuses is an important step in reducing net global emissions. It is also important to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at universities because of the role colleges play …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Carbon Budget Implementation at University of Gothenburg: Meeting the -50% CO2e Goal
- University of Gothenburg
The session will describe how the University of Gothenburg decided to meet the challenge of reducing the CO2-emissions by implementing a carbon budget at faculty level. Working together with a …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability Skills for Knowledge Workers in Tertiary Education
- Mahidol University (Bangkok)
In this project, we designed a comprehensive training project aiming at equipping staff members at our higher education institution with essential sustainability skills. In today's world, environmental, social, and economy …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Reporting the Institution’s Impact on Climate Change & Sustainability Reporting
- American University in Cairo (Cairo)
In 2012, the American University in Cairo (AUC) was one of the first higher education institutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to produce a Carbon Footprint …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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From Ideas to Action: Using the STARS Reporting Process to Develop a Strategic Plan
- Brailsford & Dunlavey (DC)
Congratulations! You’ve completed a STARS Report! Now what?! The value of the STARS reporting process is more than earning a STARS Rating. Relationships built, data collected, and key insights highlighted …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Global Standards Sustainability Reporting for Higher Education
- University of Texas at Arlington (TX)
- ISOS Group
Higher education has a unique role to lead sustainability innovation across our campuses nationally and internationally. Reporting can help universities and organizations understand and manage their positive and negative impacts …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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In Pursuit of Platinum: Trust and Change (on a Timeline)
- George Washington University (DC)
In June 2020, the GW Board of Trustees Task Force on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Responsibility published a report stating the university’s commitment to taking swift and decisive action …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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SustainEDU: Empowering Ecuador's Campuses for a Greener Tomorrow
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito - USFQ (Pichincha)
This session will contribute to HEIs and campus sustainability professionals in settings where formal sustainability planning and institutional frameworks are nascent, providing insights on how to foster sustainability networking, leverage …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Shared Support Services as a Strategy for Promoting Sustainability at CSU Campuses
- California State University, Chancellor's Office (CA)
At the CSU, our unit's work impacts the lives of more than half a million students across the CSU system as well as more than 55,000 faculty and staff. One …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Advancing Sustainability in Higher Education: Two Proposals
- American Council on Education (DC)
- Global Council for Science and the Environment (MD)
Sustainability curriculum is rapidly evolving and expanding across higher education: in Gen Ed, through the AASHE Centers for Sustainability Across the Curriculum, in the creation of new degrees and certificates, …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Making the Most of External Sustainability Assessments: Comparing STARS, UIR and QS
- Arizona State University (AZ)
At Arizona State University (ASU), we consider external assessments a critical tool for measuring and advancing our sustainability progress. However, we also understand the challenges of managing, navigating and interpreting …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Facilitation for Organizational Change
- Boston University (MA)
- Trust (MA)
One of the most important, yet often underappreciated, skill sets of any profession is the ability to be a strong group meeting facilitator. The role of a facilitator is the …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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A Collaborative Approach to Scale Climate Action In Boston
- Boston University (MA)
- Emerson College (MA)
- Boston Green Ribbon Commission (MA)
- Trust (MA)
Rapidly changing regulations that limit carbon emissions from large buildings in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Boston require adjustments to energy procurement, building plans, and site management …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Leveraging STARS to Advance your Sustainability Goals and strategies
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
- GreenerU (MA)
AASHE STARS inventorying, analysis, and submission is a lengthy and complex process—one that can be all-consuming for an institution. But one of the purposes of STARS is to provide a …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Best Practices for Tracking Sustainability Program Metrics at SMCCCD
- San Mateo County Community College District Office (CA)
The California Community College Chancellor's office recently issued sustainability standards and tracking guidelines to all CA CCDs. This session delves into how the San Mateo County Community College District effectively …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Next Level Sustainability Integration and Elevation
- Duke University (NC)
Climate and sustainability are topics at our institutions that stretch across disciplines, interconnect operations and academics, cross campus boundaries, reach into the community, and around the world. As Duke University …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Hubs for Action: Visualizing Sustainability Data to Engage and Empower
- Yale University (CT)
- University of British Columbia (BC)
Sustainability staff from Yale University and the University of British Columbia (UBC) present a panel-style Field Report on creating sustainability data hubs and data dashboards, each with robust sustainability open …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Climate Action Implementation: Governance Approaches for Climate Implementation
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
Colleges and universities across the globe have set very ambitious targets for climate action ranging from steep mitigation goals of zero carbon, to ensuring a resilient campus and preparing for …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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How to Achieve 70% Carbon Footprint Reduction for Minimal Cost and Beyond
- University of Toledo (OH)
The University of Toledo has achieved approximately 70% carbon footprint reduction, saves millions in energy costs, and has one of the lowest energy usages in the region. This technical presentation …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Climate Planning in Higher Education: From Action to Justice
- Northeastern University (MA)
- One Square World
In this session, you will learn about Northeastern’s unique and bold approach to centering justice and equity in its forthcoming climate justice action plan. You’ll also experience a sampling of …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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UBC Okanagan - Building Resilience to Climate Change
- University of British Columbia Okanagan (BC)
The impact of climate-related events poses a major threat to higher education institutions and this is expected to amplify as the climate continues to change. The importance of making investments …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Rewild Your Campus With the Green Grounds Certification Program
- Re:wild Your Campus (TX)
Re:wild Your Campus’s Green Grounds Certification offers a new pathway for schools to improve upon campus sustainability goals, reduce synthetic pesticide usage and implement organic grounds maintenance practices. This webinar …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability Point 0: We’re Getting Traction So What Does the Next Step Look Like?
- Dartmouth College (NH)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
For many universities, Sustainability 1.0, 2.0 and maybe 3.0 are behind us. We are starting to get traction, become main streamed, be elevated in the organizational structure. As we crest …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Deciphering the Challenges of Change Using Liberating Structures
- AASHE (MA)
As sustainability professionals, you’re often considered “change agents” for the institution - a person who acts as a catalyst for change and helps the organization transform how it operates by …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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More Than Climate: Sustainability Through a Climate, Equity, and Health Lens
- Harvard University (MA)
In May 2023, Harvard launched its updated Sustainability Action Plan – a culmination of a 2-year multi-stakeholder process that involved the Presidential Committee on Sustainability, faculty, students, senior leaders, staff, …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Strategic Planning for Equitable Climate Mitigation
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
- Robert Morris University (PA) (PA)
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
As a group of colleges and universities dedicated to reducing their individual and collective climate impacts, the Higher Education Climate Consortium of Pittsburgh (HECC) has been convening for 15 years. …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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The Role of Community-Making to Advance Sustainability in HEIs
- University of Toronto (ON)
The structure and culture of higher education institutions (HEIs) is often cited as a barrier to change and innovation (Mrig & Sanaghan, 2017; Kezar, 2007). University-wide initiatives can be difficult …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability Strategy 2023-2030
- Trinity College Dublin (The University of Dublin)
Key targets of the strategy include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 and reaching net zero emissions by 2040 across all categories of emissions.
- Posted Feb. 6, 2024
- Publications
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Sustainability at Stanford: 2022-23 Year in Review
- Stanford University (CA)
This publication is a year in review for Stanford University.
- Posted Dec. 7, 2023
- Publications
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It’s Really Free! Patriot Packout Expands to Support George Mason University Community Members’ Basic Needs
- George Mason University (VA)
This case study focuses on George Mason University’s sustainable move-out initiative, Patriot Packout (PPO) 2023. Existing in some form (unofficial and official) since 2003, the PPO initiative was expanded in …
- Posted Dec. 7, 2023
- Case Studies
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University of Virginia Sustainability: 2022-2023 Annual Report
- University of Virginia (VA)
This is the university's sustainability annual report spanning 2022-2023
- Posted Oct. 18, 2023
- Publications
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Rewild Your Campus with the Green Grounds Certification
- Seattle University (WA)
- University of Northern Iowa (IA)
- AASHE (MA)
- Re:wild Your Campus (TX)
- PJC Organic (MA)
Re:wild Your Campus’s Green Grounds Certification offers a new pathway for schools to reduce synthetic pesticide usage and implement organic grounds maintenance practices. This webinar will guide participants through the …
- Posted Sept. 29, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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2023 Sustainable Campus Index
- AASHE (MA)
The 2023 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI) recognizes top-performing colleges and universities by country, institution type, and in 17 sustainability impact areas, as measured by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating …
- Posted Sept. 28, 2023
- Publications
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2023 Higher Education Sustainability Professionals Survey & Report
- AASHE (MA)
This report presents the results of the 2023 Higher Education Sustainability Staffing Survey. It examines the nature of sustainability positions at colleges and universities in the United States, Canada and …
- Posted Sept. 28, 2023
- Publications
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Clean Campus, Clean Planet: Solutions for Reducing Toxic Cleaning Chemicals on Campus
- Stanford University (CA)
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
- AASHE (MA)
- Tersano Inc. (ON)
- The Ashkin Group (CA)
- Elk Grove Unified School District (CA)
The way we clean is often overlooked when exploring sustainable solutions on campus. However, research reveals that the health, environmental, and financial impacts of the traditional chemicals we use are …
- Posted Sept. 21, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Webinar: CSA as a Benefit: Cultivating Sustainability and Improving Health
- University of Kentucky (KY)
- AASHE (MA)
- Organic Association of Kentucky (KY)
Colleges and universities have unique resources and infrastructures that allow them to develop, pilot, and study replicable employee benefits programs that fulfill Sustainability and Wellness goals. Additionally, innovations by colleges …
- Posted Sept. 14, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley campus solar array
- Colorado Mountain College (CO)
- Ameresco, Inc. (MA)
The Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley at Glenwood Springs is one of the college's 11 campuses. and is home to one of the largest solar arrays in Colorado. Besides providing …
- Posted Aug. 31, 2023
- Photographs
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Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy, University of Utah
- University of Utah (UT)
New Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy - University of Utah announced in August 2022 the creation of the interdisciplinary Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy to promote …
- Posted Aug. 31, 2023
- Photographs
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Zero Waste Football (Horizontal and Vertical Image)
- Coastal Carolina University (SC)
Every Chanticleer home football game is a zero-waste initiative. The goal of this effort is to divert as much waste as possible from each CCU home football game. We do …
- Posted Aug. 29, 2023
- Photographs
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Collaborative approach
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
The collaborative structure in place at the Université de Sherbrooke in sustainable development, which is headed by the Vice-President, Administration and Sustainable Development, mobilizes a team of 40 persons working …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Hope Forward - A pay-it-forward model for tuition - Hope College
- Hope College (MI)
A pay-it-forward model for tuition - Hope Forward is a tuition model at Hope College where students fund their education through gifts after graduation rather than paying for college through …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Humber College SCI 2023 Photos - Coordination and Planning Category
- Humber College (ON)
Photo submission for Humber College's Top Performance recognition at 2023 SCI Coordination and Planning Category.
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Coordination & Planning at Oregon State U
- Oregon State University (OR)
Coordination & Planning Oregon State University student working outside in the Memorial Union Quad
- Posted Aug. 24, 2023
- Photographs
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Outside yoga activities
- Université Laval (QC)
In the wake of the pandemic, Université Laval set up a number of outdoor initiatives to encourage the community to take ownership of their campus. Depending of the season, different …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2023
- Photographs
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Data File: 2023 Higher Education Sustainability Staffing Survey
- AASHE (MA)
Along with publishing the 2023 Staffing Survey Report, AASHE is continuing the tradition of making respondent data from the Higher Education Sustainability Staffing surveys available to AASHE members for further …
- Posted July 28, 2023
- Tools
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The implementation of the SDGs in universities: a systematic review
- Universidad de Sevilla
Currently, in the field of Sustainable Development (SD), one of the most significant debates is the necessary incorporation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in education and, specifically, in higher …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.
All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.
PA 1: Sustainability Coordination
- Description of the sustainability committee(s)
- Description of the sustainability office(s)
- Description of activities and accomplishments of the institution-wide coordinating body or officer during the previous three years
- First sustainability position (upload)
- First sustainability position (text)
- Second sustainability position (upload)
- Second sustainability position (text)
- Third sustainability position (upload)
- Third sustainability position (text)
- Website URL - Sustainability Coordination
PA 2: Sustainability Coordination
- Published measurable objectives - Academics
- Published measurable objectives - Engagement
- Published measurable objectives - Operations
- Published measurable objectives - Planning & Administration
- Website URL - Highest Guiding Strategic Plan
- Sustainability plan (upload)
- Sustainability plan (website URL)
- Website URL - Sustainability planning
PA 3: Sustainability Coordination
- Description of participatory or shared governance bodies
- Percent of official members of the highest governing body that are women
- Website URL - Institution’s highest level governing body
- Description of campus-community council or equivalent body that gives external stakeholders a regular voice in institutional decisions
- Website URL - Institutional governance body
PA 4: Reporting Assurance
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.