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Glossary and Abbreviations

This page provides definitions for key sustainability terms and abbreviations to help provide a better understanding of the concepts and language associated with our efforts.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Key terms

campus engagement

Engaging students, faculty, staff, and beyond in sustainability issues through co-curricular activities that allow students to deepen and apply their understanding of sustainability principles.

capital planning

The process of budgeting resources for the future of an organization’s long-term plans.

carbon neutral

Having no net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, to be achieved by either eliminating net GHG emissions, or by minimizing GHG emissions as much as possible, and using carbon offsets or other measures to mitigate the remaining emissions.

carbon offsets

An action or activity (such as the planting of trees or carbon sequestration) that compensates for the emission of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

climate change

A change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.

community engagement

Describes the collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.

diversion rate

The total amount (reflected as a percentage) of a material, diverted from disposal through waste prevention, recycling, or reuse.

embodied carbon

The sum of all the greenhouse gas emissions (mostly carbon dioxide) resulting from the mining, harvesting, processing, manufacturing, transportation, and installation of building materials.

energy use intensity

Measured as metric million British thermal units (MMBtu) per square foot of building space per year; expresses a building’s energy use as a function of its size or other characteristics.

environmental justice

Impacts of global climate change and benefits from solutions are equitably distributed.

environmentally preferable

Products or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose; may consider raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, reuse, operation, maintenance, or disposal of the product or service.

experiential learning

Students as they make theory to practice connections that enhance their academic learning and facilitate the development of skills and abilities necessary to contribute to the global community.

fair trade

Products that meet rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards, meaning safe working conditions, environmental protection, sustainable livelihoods, and community development funds.

frontline communities

Those who experience “first and worst” the consequences of climate change, primarily communities of color and low-income, whose neighborhoods often lack basic infrastructure to support them and who will be increasingly vulnerable as our climate deteriorates.

greenhouse gas

Any gas that has the property of absorbing infrared radiation (net heat energy) emitted from Earth’s surface and reradiating it back to Earth’s surface, thus contributing to the greenhouse effect.

greenhouse gas intensity

A measurement of metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) per square foot per year, a way of tracking overall campus emissions reduction efforts inclusive of growth.

integrated pest management (IPM)

Uses a combination of biological, cultural, physical/mechanical and chemical management tools to solve pest problems while minimizing risks to people and the environment.

land acknowledgment

A formal statement that recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories.

living lab

Campus buildings and grounds that become teaching tools to further sustainability learning by blending campus infrastructure and operations with multidisciplinary student learning projects.

scope 1 emissions

Direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the institution, such as fuels to heat or cool buildings or produce electricity, emissions from institution-owned vehicles, refrigerants, and fertilizers.

scope 2 emissions

Indirect greenhouse gas emissions such as from purchased electricity, heating, cooling, or steam.

scope 3 emissions

All indirect emissions not covered in Scope 2, including purchased goods and services, waste, business travel, commuting, end-of-life treatment of sold products, downstream leased assets, franchises, and investments.

social equity

A lens that takes systemic inequalities into account to ensure that everyone has access to the same opportunities and outcomes regardless of factors like race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, or physical and mental disability.

sustainability

The integration of planetary health, social equity, and economic vitality to create thriving, healthy, diverse, and resilient communities for this and future generations in the face of climate change and other environmental stresses.

sustainability culture

Values and norms exhibited across all areas of daily campus life that foster sustainable practices.

sustainability procurement

Purchasing materials, products, and services in a manner that integrates fiscal responsibility, social equity, and community and environmental stewardship.

Abbreviations

AASHE

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education

EUI

energy-use intensity

FTE

full-time equivalent

HVAC

heating, ventilation, and air conditioning

LCCA

life-cycle cost analysis

LEED

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

MTCO2e

metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent

STARS

AASHE’s Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System

USGBC

United States Green Building Council