2. Goals and Strategy

Determining goals and a strategy for the process

Once the current situation has been established and opportunities identified, developing an underlying policy framework that articulates the University’s overall commitment to environmental improvement and leadership is needed. This plan then sets the stage for the next step, creating an Environmental Management Plan, outlined in step 3.

STEP I. Develop and underlying policy or vision that cements the University’s dedication to a sustainable campus.

What is important to the university community and what format is most comprehensible?

Broad vs. specific

Broad – notes for example that taking reasonable steps towards best practice environmental management is needed
Specific – outlines the key focus areas identified such as energy, water and waste

Stages of sustainability planning

Early – understanding environmental impacts and possibilities
Mid – mainstreaming environmental management
Mature – establishing international leadership

STEP II. Identify goals (short-term) and targets (long-term) for the key performance indicators.

What can be changed/improved on now and what needs long-term development?

Consider:

Which areas are the most critical in terms of environmental impact?
Which areas are the most critical in terms of money spent and potential savings?
Which areas have the best benefit vs. time ratio?
Which items have the greatest level of current public attention?

Take into account:

Existing technology and how this can lead to reasonable achievements
Goals of other universities
National and international requirements/laws etc. with regards to sustainability
Financial and human capital and organizational limitations

Case studies and useful resources

1. Mapping and Development

Mapping the current situation and developing a governance structure

The underlying goal of a campus sustainability program should be to mainstream environmental management into the operational and academic activities of the university.

In order for this to happen efficiently, an appropriate governance structure should be established, complete with an office responsible for campus sustainability – a “Sustainability Team”, supported by and working in conjunction with the executive management and the campus community. Ultimately, such a solid governance structure should cover as many sectors of campus operations as possible. Obtaining sufficient funding for the various operations of this body is also essential.

To begin, a review of the current environmental activities on campus should be completed, identifying resources and funding currently being invested in campus environmental management (if any) as well as finding programs that may have been established at local levels (amongst students or staff for instance). This allows for building upon and developing past successes.

STEP I. Assessing the current operational structure

Where does environmental management fit in and/or where has it already been established?

Assess the current environmental and sustainability-specific resources, actions, programs and policies in place
Complete a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats) analysis about the current situation with regards to campus sustainability
Research any sustainability programs at the local, regional and national level and any community or student efforts already taking place
Look at the achievements of universities that are known for their campus sustainability initiatives

STEP II. Establish an appropriate governance structure

Who will be responsible for what?

Executive management
Whose approval is needed for environmental management activities?
Environmental management
Who will initiate and manage campus sustainability initiatives? Should it be centralized or distributed?
Key staff
Who are the key staff working on this and what are their roles? What roles can be filled by training existing staff members?
Departments/offices/groups
Who else will be involved? Who needs to work together and whose support is required to make campus sustainability initiatives successful?
Others
Are there any opportunities to establish collaboration within the larger community to draw on examples of best practice in the sector?

STEP III. Begin to establish a budget and financial plan

How much money is available and how much will be needed overall?

Determine the existing budget for all current sustainability operations – can this money be pooled and coordinated?
Estimate how much money will be needed to implement and run planned sustainability operations on campus
Determine where this money will come from (the university budget, department budgets etc.)
Assess how much funding can be readily obtained, and brainstorm ways of obtaining the remaining amount needed (donation programs, fundraisers for specific projects, government-funded grants)
Consider establishing a green loan fund or grant program to encourage others on campus to start their own sustainability initiatives