Transportation
Sustainable Operations Goals
Goal 1: Transportation
ABOUT THIS GOAL
Develop and support programs that minimize or eliminate fossil-fuel transportation by 2029.
RATIONALE
Scope 1 emissions include campus vehicular fleet. Scope 3 emissions are a large contributor to campus greenhouse gas emissions, which include staff, faculty, and student commutes, business travel, and air travel from study abroad programs.
METRICS OF SUCCESS
A higher proportion (or 100%) of the campus fleet switching to electric; modes of tracking and mitigating emissions from commuter and business travel; structures that facilitate clean and alternative-fuel transportation on campus.
ABOUT THIS GOAL
Develop and implement environmentally preferable purchasing guides by 2029.
RATIONALE
The purchasing of goods and supplies, including for food and beverages, is a large factor in waste management and a contributor to Scope 3 emissions through sourcing materials, packaging, and transport.
METRICS OF SUCCESS
A more consistent use of LCCA in relevant purchasing decisions and an increase in the proportion of expenditures on third-party verified sustainable or ethical products.
Goal 3: Equitable Procurement
ABOUT THIS GOAL
Develop and implement standards that promote the procurement of responsibly produced goods and services that support diverse businesses and small- and medium-sized enterprises by 2029.
RATIONALE
A focus on social equity in sustainability work was articulated as a priority for this sustainability plan and the University holds significant purchasing power in the Rochester area, making procurement an important component of environmental justice work.
METRICS OF SUCCESS
Written and implementable equitable procurement standards and a measurable, reportable increase in purchased goods and services from diverse vendors.
ABOUT THIS GOAL
Increase the University-wide waste diversion rate by location by the following metrics:*
- River Campus, Memorial Art Gallery, Eastman School of Music, and off-site owned properties shall reach or exceed 50% by 2029.
- Medical Center and off-site owned clinical facilities shall reach or exceed 30% by 2029.
RATIONALE
Methane gas from landfills and incinerators are a source of Scope 3 emissions.
METRICS OF SUCCESS
Goal is achieved as written.
*Waste diversion rate does not include construction projects.
Goal 5: Grounds Management
ABOUT THIS GOAL
Minimize negative environmental impacts from land use and management by developing and deploying design criteria that foster habitat stewardship, promote accessibility, and increase campus biodiversity by 2029.
RATIONALE
Efforts to foster habitat stewardship, promote accessibility, and increase biodiversity are crucial to maintaining a healthy ecosystem and broadening opportunities to appreciate the outdoors.
METRICS OF SUCCESS
Published design criteria.
Goal 6: Water Use
ABOUT THIS GOAL
Reduce potable water use per weighted campus user 30% from a FY 2019 baseline by 2029.
RATIONALE
Potable water is a limited resource. Using energy to heat water is a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
METRICS OF SUCCESS
Reduced number of gallons of potable water used per weighted campus user.