小蓝视频

When 小蓝视频听became the first carbon neutral university two years ahead of schedule in 2018, the听Office of Sustainability staff听began听their quest for听what鈥檚 next.听听听

Now, 小蓝视频 has announced听these听next steps in the university鈥檚 sustainability work, a new five-year plan that reflects听小蓝视频鈥檚听Challenge Accepted听brand听campaign.听This听third campus action plan听follows听the 2010 Climate Plan and the 2014 Sustainability Plan.听

鈥溞±妒悠� is proud of our history of sustainability which includes becoming the first research university in the nation to reach carbon neutrality,鈥澨齭aid 小蓝视频听president Sylvia Burwell. 鈥淥ur work to reduce our environmental footprint continues with our new sustainability plan鈥攁n exciting and ambitious roadmap for 小蓝视频 as we continue to deepen our commitment to creating a healthier planet. We know that our entire community plays a role in our success, and we look forward to seeing results from our new sustainability efforts across campus.鈥澨�

The new plan听has听three sections鈥攅ngagement, environment, administration鈥攁nd an ambitious 45 new goals written by the Sustainability Advisory Committee and the Office of Sustainability. The team developed听plans听over the past three years through listening to the 小蓝视频 community and by aligning their efforts with the climate work being done by DC and the United听Nations. The goals dovetail with the district鈥檚 progressive Sustainable DC plan,听which听provides a framework for new construction, energy, and water usage.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 really exciting that we鈥檙e in uncharted territory because so few universities have hit this point of carbon neutrality,鈥� said Megan Litke, director of sustainability programs. Office of Sustainability. 鈥淪o now we鈥檝e figured out where to go next, and we鈥檙e ready to bring the community into it. I think that鈥檚 the expansion of the conversation beyond carbon emissions and into the broader sustainability problems and how they impact our communities.鈥澨�

In the engagement section,听the plan includes goals such as adding more courses related to sustainability, wellness goals, making outdoor spaces more accessible,听and connecting sustainability work with environmental justice. The section also includes campus and community engagement and outreach, boosting sustainability literacy and including the community in partnerships and education on sustainability.听

The university鈥檚 plan also details goals related to operating and constructing green buildings听in听the听environment听section. The plan pushes towards changes that would impact the look of campus.听

The campus tree canopy will be expanded and diversified, and the university will expand edible plants and gardens. The plan aims to achieve zero waste by 2030 by eliminating single-use plastics, increasing听composting听and recycling,听and decreasing overall waste. The university will also support sustainable goods vendors and reduce paper usage and paper waste on campus.听

Students will notice a difference in dining options, with a goal听that听expands听vegan dining听options听and听increases听sustainably or ethically produced food.听

鈥淢any of the goals in the plan that will impact students came from student comments, so it came from areas where students saw we could improve,鈥� Litke said.听

Any new construction听prioritizes听energy efficiency and prepares听for future climate disruptions including temperature increases and heavy rain.听

The campus will increase the number of solar panels and include solar energy in any new construction. The听Office of听Sustainability will conduct a campus review using LEED tools to monitor efficiency, water, waste, and air quality.听

Litke said the plan鈥檚 goals go beyond the next five years, but the everchanging research in sustainability and technology requires flexibility in planning.听

鈥淭hree years from now, we may have the chance to take advantage of a technology that doesn鈥檛 exist right now,鈥� Litke said. 鈥淲e really wanted to create a plan that could be adaptable to changes. Within the next five years, it will be time to reevaluate where we are in the district and globally. But the work will continue on.鈥�