Built Environment

Goal 1: Carbon Neutrality: Reduce the carbon intensity of university energy supply sources and achieve 100% net university carbon reduction.

1.1 In the short term, identify and implement financially viable carbon reduction projects to reduce carbon emissions by 15%, per state requirements, by 2020.

1.2 In the mid-term, where reduction is not yet technologically feasible, seek and commit to credible carbon offsets for all continuing direct hydrocarbon use by 2030.

1.3 In the long term, achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, first through reduction and secondly through offset.

Goal 2: Maximize cost-effective energy efficiency investments in university building while steadily improving building performance and occupant comfort and health.

2.1 Continue to reduce the need for new construction by prioritizing the use of current facilities.

2.2 Develop energy performance targets and sustainable design standards by 2018.

2.3 Minimize light pollution while maximizing energy efficiency in exterior lighting by 2025.

2.4 Adopt policies or guidelines designed to minimize energy use and emissions from non-fixed assets such as refrigerators, freezers, custodial and other mobile equipment by 2025.

2.5 Employ clean, renewable energy sources on- or off-campus to offset existing and new demands by 2030.

2.6 Design a university plan to support deep, holistic renovations and energy efficiency investments by 2035.

2.7 Design, construct, renovate, and operate buildings using a closed-loop process involving minimal to no waste in all processes by 2035.

Goal 3: Green Building Certification: Acquire third party certification of the environmental performance of new and existing university buildings through the USGBC’s LEED certification or equivalent process.

3.1 Complete the USGBC’s LEED Gold certification or equivalent for all new and fully renovated university buildings starting in 2018.

Goal 4: Utilize accepted Low Impact Development (LID) practices as standard to reduce rainwater/storm-water volume, improve outgoing water quality, and make on-campus use of collected rainwater.

4.1 Apply LID to all new construction, major renovation and other projects that increase paved surface area or otherwise significantly change university grounds by 2035.

Goal 5: Build and maintain publicly accessible databases of energy use, water consumption, and carbon emissions for all university buildings.

5.1 Build and maintain a publicly accessible database of available information for ongoing energy consumption and emissions for all university buildings by 2018.

5.2 Build and maintain a publicly accessible database of available information for ongoing water consumption for all university buildings by 2018.

5.3 Build and maintain a publicly accessible database of available information for ongoing carbon emissions for all university buildings by 2018.

Goal 6: Develop an active learning, living laboratory within Western’s built environment.

6.1 Expand support for courses and co-curricular programs for students that teach about local and regional stewardship solutions through skill development and campus and community engagement beginning fall 2017.

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