Pathways to Sustainability in Higher Ed Posted: Dec 2018 Posted by: Mats Inc.

Many sustainability experts believe that higher education is the pathway to a productive and uncompromised future.  Since colleges and universities prepare most professionals who become teachers, business leaders, government officials and others that impact decisions we make as a society, they are well-suited to be the catalyst necessary for real change.  College is about acquiring knowledge and skills, but it can also be about influencing character and social responsibility.  Students’ school selection criteria includes affordability, location and curriculum, but they are also seeking a sense of community and opportunities for enrichment.  Universities and colleges possessing a sustainability focus that includes effective leadership, continued education, and an active community within the institution, have an advantage for attracting new students.

Spearheading Action

It was Jean Mayer, President of Tufts University, who spearheaded the promotion of sustainability in higher education back in October 1990, when she assembled twenty-two university presidents in Talloires, France.  Acknowledging the inadequate knowledge and the scarcity of environmental expertise, the conference led to the creation of a document that spelled out crucial actions that higher education institutions must take to shape a sustainable future. The Talloires Declaration was produced by 31 university leaders and environmental authorities from 15 countries.  The leaders expressed urgent action and agreed to 10 measures that would move toward an environmentally sustainable future through higher education.  The Talloires Declaration has now been signed by over 500 university presidents and chancellors throughout the world.

Influencing the Building Industry

Well-known for transforming the building industry since it was established in 1993, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) created the LEED® Green Building Rating system (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) to provide an incentive and a decision-making framework for sustainable design, construction and operation.

According to the Society for College Education and Planning, there are 4,635 different postsecondary institutions that own and operate approximately 83,000 buildings; yet, most campuses have a sizable inventory of buildings that neglect fundamental environmental principles.  In an attempt to neutralize these campus shortcomings, academic leaders have been using LEED in the planning and operation of their new buildings over the past decade.  Today, there are over 4000 LEED-certified campus buildings.

Driving Innovation

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, (AASHE) was formed in 2005.  With over 900 members in 20 countries, AASHE serves higher education faculty, administrators, staff and students to drive sustainability innovation.

AASHE developed and launched the STARS (Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment & Rating System), a self-reporting rating system, in 2010.  STARS provides a means by which colleges and universities can engage the campus community in building a culture of sustainability, identify best practices and create a foundation upon which they measure improvement.  Participants can earn bronze, silver or gold ratings, or recognition as a STARS reporter.  STARS operates globally, with hundreds of colleges and universities utilizing the report tool from countries all over the world.

The factors considered by STARS include the school’s curriculum, research, campus engagement, public engagement, energy consumption, spending, investing, water consumption, waste, diversity initiatives, coordination and planning, transportation, grounds, food and dining, buildings, and air and climate.

918 institutions have registered to use the STARS Reporting Tool and currently four hold a platinum status; Colorado State University, Stanford University, University of California, Irvine, and the University of New Hampshire.

More than Environmental

Constructing LEED-certified buildings and achieving the highest ratings in STARS are great places to start.  However, sustainable development is about joining forces.  It requires integrated educational programs that address cultural, social and economic problems as well as the environmental issues.

HESI, the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative, is a collaboration that provides a valuable connection between higher education, science, and policy making. A partnership between United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UNESCO, United Nations Environment, UN Global Compact’s Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative, and United Nations University (UNU), UN-HABITAT, UNCTAD, and UNITAR, it was assembled in 2012 with commitments from over 300 universities.

Continuing global teamwork efforts, and increasing the number of schools that practice a more comprehensive approach to education and research, engage students and staff, and collaborate with community and business leaders, will surely drive us toward a more sustainable future.  But it is also the efforts of individuals making informed decisions and large corporations like Google and Partners Healthcare using their financial leverage to influence change now.  It is all of us working together that will allow for a productive and uncompromised future.

Learn more about sustainable products for educational environments.

Categories: Education Flooring, Sustainability