Measuring Progress
Colleges and universities are institutionalizing Sustainability by dedicating resources to sustainability coordination, incorporating sustainability into their primary campus plans, and developing plans to move towards sustainability.
Strategic and physical campus plans guide an institution and its physical development. These important documents establish an institution's priorities and influence budgeting and decision making. Incorporating sustainability into these plans is an important step in making sustainability a campus priority and advocates sustainable changes.
Sustainability plans and climate plans provide a road map for how to achieve sustainability goals.
STARS
- In 2010, Western became a charter participant in STARS 1.0, a measuring system for campus sustainability.
- In the summer of 2009, Western had its first carbon foot print assessment completed.
- In March 2009, Western held Sustainability Navigation Sessions to determine what sustainable needs and practices Western should consider for master planning.
- Western held a Sustainability Town Hall meeting in April of 2009.
- The Student Government supports the Presidents Climate Commitment and approved funding for sustainability projects in their 2009-2010 budget.
ENERGY STAR program
In May 2011, Western joined EPA's ENERGY STAR program as an ENERGY STAR partner! That means that Western, through its voluntary partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR Program, will work to improve energy efficiency and fight climate change through a strategic, corporate energy management program that will enhance the organization's financial health and help preserve the environment for future generations.
In partnership with ENERGY STAR, Western will:
- Measure and track the energy performance of our organization's facilities where possible by using tools such as those offered through ENERGY STAR;
- Develop and implement a plan consistent with the ENERGY STAR Energy Management Guidelines to achieve energy savings;
- Help spread the word about the importance of energy efficiency to our staff and community;
- Support the ENERGY STAR Challenge, a national call-to-action to help improve the energy efficiency of America's commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more;
- Highlight our achievements with recognition offered through ENERGY STAR.
ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products as well as new homes and commercial and industrial buildings that meet strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the EPA. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $18 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 34 million vehicles.
For more information about the ENERGY STAR program for commercial buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildings
