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.
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.
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.
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