Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
The proposed Sustainability Plan is for my Alma Mater San Jose State University (SJSU). Main Goal of SJSU’s Sustainability Plan: The traditional triple goal of any educational institution is to provide quality education (People), improve the world through research and training (Planet), and provide local employment while reducing per capita cost of education (Profit). But considering the current global challenges of climate change and resource depletion, I’d like to assess the impact of SJSU’s operational activities using the environmental, economic and social “triple bottom line” of sustainability. Because a large institution such as SJSU mirrors a mini-city in performance, this Sustainability Plan will follow the communityscale framework for local governments set out by the STAR program of ICLEI USA. The following are tentative sections/topics that I’d like to address in developing a Sustainability Plan for SJSU. A Sustainability Plan is a work in progress and, needless to say, will receive a makeover as and when applicable. Please pardon any discrepancies such as duplication, information disconnect or missing information at this time; such incongruities will be fixed in the next round of edits.
PEOPLE Guiding Goal: To work towards social equity and the betterment of society Focused Goals: -Provide quality education for all students -Develop programs in sustainability -Provide affordability housing for student population and the workforce -Provide discounted and free books and supplies -Provide equal opportunity access to education -Explore alternatives to mortgage assistance for employees who agree to live and work close to the campus and forego a parking pass. -Ensure campus safety and security -Provide opportunities for community engagement …
1
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
PLANET Guiding Goal: To help educate people and do no harm to the enviroment Focused Goals: SJSU’s operative needs span materials, energy and water use on the intake end, while solid waste, sewage and air emissions round out the discharge end. Accordingly, it might be prudent to define inputs/outputs within the following categories: -Energy &Building Management -Water Management -Paper Use Optimization -Food Waste Management -Solid Waste Management -Supply Chain Management
2
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
1. Energy & Building Management College campuses are extremely energy-intensive. Energy is needed for uses such as heating, cooling, air conditioning, lighting, water heating and other miscellaneous uses. Much of the nation’s energy currently is derived from fossil-based fuels such as coal, natural gas and petroleum, which have massive CO2 emissions impact, leading to global warming and climate change. SJSU, the oldest public institution of higher education on the West Coast of the US, comprises approximately 55 buildings on a rectangular, 154-acre (62.3 ha) area located in an urban setting. Many of these buildings were constructed decades earlier, long before the concept of “green buildings” emerged. While SJSU’s older buildings are considered historic, they do hold the dubious distinction of being energy hogs, and contribute a significant chunk of SJSU’s CO2 emissions. The Energy & Building Challenge:
An average US education institution spends over $50 million annually on energy Buildings are energy, space and water intensive, with indoor air quality a priority concern
Solution: Energy efficiency upgrades in combination with energy conservation is the ideal solution to lower the energy bill, and combat rising energy rates and greenhouse gas emissions. By improving energy efficiency alone, SJSU can distinguish itself as an environmental leader and save money for other activities, such as repair and upgrades, hiring of new faculty, and new construction. In addition, adopting the US Green Building Council’s LEED standards as a guiding principle for all new constructions and retrofits can help lower the building’s carbon footprint and impact on indoor air quality. Guiding Goal: Reduce overall energy use, explore onsite alternative energy development, and adopt LEED standards for buildings Focused Goals: -Conduct a campus-wide and any off-campus facility energy inventory -Monitor and establish baseline for current energy consumption -Adopt a campus-wide sustainable energy use policy, including specific goals to reduce energy use and costs -Communicate policy to staff, faculty, students and contractors …
3
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
2. Water Management With 55 major buildings spanning 19 city blocks, SJSU is a large consumer of fresh water in the state of California. The use of water in residence halls, dining services, service buildings (cooling towers), athletic facilities (fields) and academic buildings add up to the total water footprint of the campus. The Water Challenge:
Americans use more water per person than other nations–457,018 gallons/head/yr Global supply of freshwater is limited, yet the demand for water keeps growing as the population grows SJSU is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, which was recently placed under a Stage 4 drought alert
Solution: An effective campus-wide water conservation program is an important step toward easing the current water stress being experienced by California. Guiding Goal: Reduce water use throughout campus and improve water efficiency of plumbing fixtures. Focused Goals: -Conduct a campus-wide water inventory --Monitor and establish baseline for current water consumption -Adopt a campus-wide sustainable water use policy, including specific goals to reduce water use and costs -Communicate policy to staff, faculty, students and contractors …
4
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
3. Paper Use Optimization Between term papers and reports, journals and magazines, newspapers, exam booklets, mail, campus fliers, old text books, and the millions of pages of classroom notes, SJSU likely uses and discards a significant volume of paper. The Paper Challenge:
300 million tons of paper are produced each year worldwide US has largest per capita paper use, approx. 505 lbs/person Paper production consumes 300 million forested acres Uses huge amounts of water, toxic chemicals and pesticides Energy intensive, 12% of industrial sector Trashed paper represents 26 million tons or 16% of landfill wastes Paper production is 4th largest emitter of GHGs
Solution: A campus-wide paper recycling program can help optimize paper use and enhance paper recycling by collecting and sorting recyclable paper before it becomes part of the trash. Guiding Goal: Reduce paper use and switch to sustainable printing Focused Goals: -Adopt a sustainable paper use policy, set specific reduction goals, and communicate policy to staff, faculty, students, vendors and contractors …
5
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
4. Food Waste Management Between the various on-campus dining hall services, restaurants, residence halls, sporting venues, and university events, SJSU likely buys, stores, prepares and disposes of a significant volume of foods. The Food Waste Challenge:
Food waste = water waste + energy waste + landfill space + emissions Food wastes in the western nations (222 million tons) = the entire food production in Subsaharan Africa (230 million tons) If we cut down food waste in the West by just 50%, it is enough to feed the world’s 1 billion hungry people Nearly 40% of untouched, uneaten and unserved cafeteria food is wasted every year
Solution: Food waste prevention is the first line of defense in the fight against food waste. Reducing food sent to landfills can result in cost savings for SJSU, help reduce their environmental impact, and set a positive example for employees and students to emulate. Guiding Goal: Reduce generation of food waste; recover and divert biodegradable food waste to composting; and purchase local, sustainably-sourced products and foods. Focused Goals: -Establish a produce, meat and processed food baseline for the facility -Establish a food waste baseline -Adopt a sustainable food policy that commits to buying local, organic foods; foods that do not contain harmful biological/chemical contaminants; foods that are fairly/cooperatively traded; and foods that protect animal welfare and sustainable transport standards -Communicate policy to employees, students, vendors and contractors -Adopt a food waste management plan that details types and volume of food waste generated and set goals for diverting food waste from disposal …
6
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
5. Solid Waste Management With a student body of over 34,000 and offering degrees in more than 134 programs and concentrations, SJSU likely generates enormous amounts of e-waste, hazardous waste and solid waste. The Solid Waste Challenge:
The average person in the US throws away their body weight in garbage every month Solid-waste management is one of the greatest costs to municipal budgets Methane gas, a landfill byproduct, is 20 times more potent than CO2 Landfills account for nearly 18% of human-made methane Electronics make up 1% of the total municipal waste stream, and are growing at an astronomical pace as the world digitizes and automates its processes
Solution: Solid waste management is a local challenge with global consequences. Committing to reduce waste, reuse materials, and recycle specific wastes can make a difference by minimizing SJSU’s environmental impacts of materials use. Guiding Goal: Reduce solid waste, increase waste segregation and materials recycling rates Focused Goals: -Adopt a sustainable materials management policy and communicate policy to staff, faculty, students, vendors and contractors -Conduct a solid waste audit to establish a baseline and then identify specific opportunities for waste segregation, minimization and recycling -Track and measure recycling performance in municipal solid waste, e-waste, hazardous waste, including battery management, cardboard recycling, yard waste, green waste, pharmaceutical waste (if any), construction & demolition recycling …
7
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
6. Supply Chain Management SJSU likely interacts with local, state, federal and international vendors, suppliers and distributors throughout its supply chain for all of its services, goods, foods and training needs. The Supply Chain Challenge:
Inefficient procurement can add to SJSU’s budget and carbon footprint Practices such as child labor, toxic materials and inhumane labor/workplace conditions exist throughout the supply chain, adding to the global social burden Out-of-state procurement increases SJSU’s carbon emissions burden
Solution: Promoting sustainable procurement is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and maximizing opportunities for cost savings. SJSU needs to be aware of and root out practices such as child labor, toxic materials and inhumane labor conditions from its supply chain. Guiding Goal: Optimize practices throughout the supply chain Focused Goals: -Adopt a campus-wide responsible recruiting and purchasing policy -Communicate policy to all departments -Join the Responsible Purchase Network, an international organization that provides institutional purchasers with cutting-edge procurement tools and resources designed to save money, conserve resources, reduce waste, and improve efficiency -Identify and institute data reporting requirements for all vendors -Use the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) to help evaluate purchase of laptops, desktop computers, and monitors …
8
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
Note: I’m contemplating whether to add two more categories, namely Transportation Management and Green Space Optimization. Will decide by next draft and incorporate accordingly.
9
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
PROFIT Guiding Goal: To be an education leader by providing sustainable, quality and affordable education for all, in the most efficient way possible Focused Goals: -Develop a long-term climate strategy -Measure and publish annual campus carbon footprint -Recalibrate risk management to include climate change considerations -Reassess university’s financial portfolio and begin to divest from fossil-fuel investments -Develop adaptive business responses to climate change -Partner with local municipalities or businesses to create green jobs -Partner with local businesses to research and develop clean technologies -Develop and offer sustainability training programs …
10
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
References: “Micro-Sustainabiity: Local Impact” Week 2 and Week 3 Readings http://www.icleiusa.org/library/documents/STAR_Sustainability_Goals.pdf http://www.sjsu.edu/about_sjsu/facts_and_figures/ http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/paper/setting/schoolwork.htm http://www.forestethics.org/paper-the-facts http://www.waterfootprint.org/ http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/challenge/learn_more/HigherEducation.pdf http://www.epa.gov/foodrecovery/fd-service.htm#univ http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/smm/index.htm http://www.nature.com/news/environment-waste-production-must-peak-this-century1.14032 http://www.epa.gov/lmop/documents/pdfs/overview.pdf http://www.ewastecenter.com/facts/ewaste-facts/
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The proposed Sustainability Plan is for my Alma Mater San Jose State University (SJSU). Main Goal of SJSU’s Sustainability Plan: The traditional triple goal of any educational institution is to provide quality education (People), improve the world through research and training (Planet), and provide local employment while reducing per capita cost of education (Profit). But considering the current global challenges of climate change and resource depletion, I’d like to assess the impact of SJSU’s operational activities using the environmental, economic and social “triple bottom line” of sustainability. Because a large institution such as SJSU mirrors a mini-city in performance, this Sustainability Plan will follow the communityscale framework for local governments set out by the STAR program of ICLEI USA. The following are tentative sections/topics that I’d like to address in developing a Sustainability Plan for SJSU. A Sustainability Plan is a work in progress and, needless to say, will receive a makeover as and when applicable. Please pardon any discrepancies such as duplication, information disconnect or missing information at this time; such incongruities will be fixed in the next round of edits.
PEOPLE Guiding Goal: To work towards social equity and the betterment of society Focused Goals: -Provide quality education for all students -Develop programs in sustainability -Provide affordability housing for student population and the workforce -Provide discounted and free books and supplies -Provide equal opportunity access to education -Explore alternatives to mortgage assistance for employees who agree to live and work close to the campus and forego a parking pass. -Ensure campus safety and security -Provide opportunities for community engagement …
1
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
PLANET Guiding Goal: To help educate people and do no harm to the enviroment Focused Goals: SJSU’s operative needs span materials, energy and water use on the intake end, while solid waste, sewage and air emissions round out the discharge end. Accordingly, it might be prudent to define inputs/outputs within the following categories: -Energy &Building Management -Water Management -Paper Use Optimization -Food Waste Management -Solid Waste Management -Supply Chain Management
2
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
1. Energy & Building Management College campuses are extremely energy-intensive. Energy is needed for uses such as heating, cooling, air conditioning, lighting, water heating and other miscellaneous uses. Much of the nation’s energy currently is derived from fossil-based fuels such as coal, natural gas and petroleum, which have massive CO2 emissions impact, leading to global warming and climate change. SJSU, the oldest public institution of higher education on the West Coast of the US, comprises approximately 55 buildings on a rectangular, 154-acre (62.3 ha) area located in an urban setting. Many of these buildings were constructed decades earlier, long before the concept of “green buildings” emerged. While SJSU’s older buildings are considered historic, they do hold the dubious distinction of being energy hogs, and contribute a significant chunk of SJSU’s CO2 emissions. The Energy & Building Challenge:
An average US education institution spends over $50 million annually on energy Buildings are energy, space and water intensive, with indoor air quality a priority concern
Solution: Energy efficiency upgrades in combination with energy conservation is the ideal solution to lower the energy bill, and combat rising energy rates and greenhouse gas emissions. By improving energy efficiency alone, SJSU can distinguish itself as an environmental leader and save money for other activities, such as repair and upgrades, hiring of new faculty, and new construction. In addition, adopting the US Green Building Council’s LEED standards as a guiding principle for all new constructions and retrofits can help lower the building’s carbon footprint and impact on indoor air quality. Guiding Goal: Reduce overall energy use, explore onsite alternative energy development, and adopt LEED standards for buildings Focused Goals: -Conduct a campus-wide and any off-campus facility energy inventory -Monitor and establish baseline for current energy consumption -Adopt a campus-wide sustainable energy use policy, including specific goals to reduce energy use and costs -Communicate policy to staff, faculty, students and contractors …
3
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
2. Water Management With 55 major buildings spanning 19 city blocks, SJSU is a large consumer of fresh water in the state of California. The use of water in residence halls, dining services, service buildings (cooling towers), athletic facilities (fields) and academic buildings add up to the total water footprint of the campus. The Water Challenge:
Americans use more water per person than other nations–457,018 gallons/head/yr Global supply of freshwater is limited, yet the demand for water keeps growing as the population grows SJSU is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, which was recently placed under a Stage 4 drought alert
Solution: An effective campus-wide water conservation program is an important step toward easing the current water stress being experienced by California. Guiding Goal: Reduce water use throughout campus and improve water efficiency of plumbing fixtures. Focused Goals: -Conduct a campus-wide water inventory --Monitor and establish baseline for current water consumption -Adopt a campus-wide sustainable water use policy, including specific goals to reduce water use and costs -Communicate policy to staff, faculty, students and contractors …
4
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
3. Paper Use Optimization Between term papers and reports, journals and magazines, newspapers, exam booklets, mail, campus fliers, old text books, and the millions of pages of classroom notes, SJSU likely uses and discards a significant volume of paper. The Paper Challenge:
300 million tons of paper are produced each year worldwide US has largest per capita paper use, approx. 505 lbs/person Paper production consumes 300 million forested acres Uses huge amounts of water, toxic chemicals and pesticides Energy intensive, 12% of industrial sector Trashed paper represents 26 million tons or 16% of landfill wastes Paper production is 4th largest emitter of GHGs
Solution: A campus-wide paper recycling program can help optimize paper use and enhance paper recycling by collecting and sorting recyclable paper before it becomes part of the trash. Guiding Goal: Reduce paper use and switch to sustainable printing Focused Goals: -Adopt a sustainable paper use policy, set specific reduction goals, and communicate policy to staff, faculty, students, vendors and contractors …
5
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
4. Food Waste Management Between the various on-campus dining hall services, restaurants, residence halls, sporting venues, and university events, SJSU likely buys, stores, prepares and disposes of a significant volume of foods. The Food Waste Challenge:
Food waste = water waste + energy waste + landfill space + emissions Food wastes in the western nations (222 million tons) = the entire food production in Subsaharan Africa (230 million tons) If we cut down food waste in the West by just 50%, it is enough to feed the world’s 1 billion hungry people Nearly 40% of untouched, uneaten and unserved cafeteria food is wasted every year
Solution: Food waste prevention is the first line of defense in the fight against food waste. Reducing food sent to landfills can result in cost savings for SJSU, help reduce their environmental impact, and set a positive example for employees and students to emulate. Guiding Goal: Reduce generation of food waste; recover and divert biodegradable food waste to composting; and purchase local, sustainably-sourced products and foods. Focused Goals: -Establish a produce, meat and processed food baseline for the facility -Establish a food waste baseline -Adopt a sustainable food policy that commits to buying local, organic foods; foods that do not contain harmful biological/chemical contaminants; foods that are fairly/cooperatively traded; and foods that protect animal welfare and sustainable transport standards -Communicate policy to employees, students, vendors and contractors -Adopt a food waste management plan that details types and volume of food waste generated and set goals for diverting food waste from disposal …
6
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
5. Solid Waste Management With a student body of over 34,000 and offering degrees in more than 134 programs and concentrations, SJSU likely generates enormous amounts of e-waste, hazardous waste and solid waste. The Solid Waste Challenge:
The average person in the US throws away their body weight in garbage every month Solid-waste management is one of the greatest costs to municipal budgets Methane gas, a landfill byproduct, is 20 times more potent than CO2 Landfills account for nearly 18% of human-made methane Electronics make up 1% of the total municipal waste stream, and are growing at an astronomical pace as the world digitizes and automates its processes
Solution: Solid waste management is a local challenge with global consequences. Committing to reduce waste, reuse materials, and recycle specific wastes can make a difference by minimizing SJSU’s environmental impacts of materials use. Guiding Goal: Reduce solid waste, increase waste segregation and materials recycling rates Focused Goals: -Adopt a sustainable materials management policy and communicate policy to staff, faculty, students, vendors and contractors -Conduct a solid waste audit to establish a baseline and then identify specific opportunities for waste segregation, minimization and recycling -Track and measure recycling performance in municipal solid waste, e-waste, hazardous waste, including battery management, cardboard recycling, yard waste, green waste, pharmaceutical waste (if any), construction & demolition recycling …
7
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
6. Supply Chain Management SJSU likely interacts with local, state, federal and international vendors, suppliers and distributors throughout its supply chain for all of its services, goods, foods and training needs. The Supply Chain Challenge:
Inefficient procurement can add to SJSU’s budget and carbon footprint Practices such as child labor, toxic materials and inhumane labor/workplace conditions exist throughout the supply chain, adding to the global social burden Out-of-state procurement increases SJSU’s carbon emissions burden
Solution: Promoting sustainable procurement is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and maximizing opportunities for cost savings. SJSU needs to be aware of and root out practices such as child labor, toxic materials and inhumane labor conditions from its supply chain. Guiding Goal: Optimize practices throughout the supply chain Focused Goals: -Adopt a campus-wide responsible recruiting and purchasing policy -Communicate policy to all departments -Join the Responsible Purchase Network, an international organization that provides institutional purchasers with cutting-edge procurement tools and resources designed to save money, conserve resources, reduce waste, and improve efficiency -Identify and institute data reporting requirements for all vendors -Use the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) to help evaluate purchase of laptops, desktop computers, and monitors …
8
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
Note: I’m contemplating whether to add two more categories, namely Transportation Management and Green Space Optimization. Will decide by next draft and incorporate accordingly.
9
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
PROFIT Guiding Goal: To be an education leader by providing sustainable, quality and affordable education for all, in the most efficient way possible Focused Goals: -Develop a long-term climate strategy -Measure and publish annual campus carbon footprint -Recalibrate risk management to include climate change considerations -Reassess university’s financial portfolio and begin to divest from fossil-fuel investments -Develop adaptive business responses to climate change -Partner with local municipalities or businesses to create green jobs -Partner with local businesses to research and develop clean technologies -Develop and offer sustainability training programs …
10
Raji Lukkoor, July 20, 2014, Assignment 2
References: “Micro-Sustainabiity: Local Impact” Week 2 and Week 3 Readings http://www.icleiusa.org/library/documents/STAR_Sustainability_Goals.pdf http://www.sjsu.edu/about_sjsu/facts_and_figures/ http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/paper/setting/schoolwork.htm http://www.forestethics.org/paper-the-facts http://www.waterfootprint.org/ http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/challenge/learn_more/HigherEducation.pdf http://www.epa.gov/foodrecovery/fd-service.htm#univ http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/smm/index.htm http://www.nature.com/news/environment-waste-production-must-peak-this-century1.14032 http://www.epa.gov/lmop/documents/pdfs/overview.pdf http://www.ewastecenter.com/facts/ewaste-facts/
11
