Submitted on May 6, 2011; last updated on May 9, 2011
This submission of LSCs Sustainability Plan of Action is a plan for us to achieve at least a 50% reduction in eCO2 emissions by 2030. Recognizing the fluctuating nature of environmental technology and social change, this Plan will focus on the next few years followed by five-year interim goals until 2030; bi-annual reviews of the document will address the years to follow. This review process will address LSC’s goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2060. To achieve this goal thoughtful planning and direction are necessary. This Plan will prompt meaningful discussion and development of policies and procedures needed to get us there.
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SOURCE 1 TRANSPORTATION (scope 3): As a commuter college without on-site housing, transportation is the majority contributor to our total GHG emissions. Commuting makes up over half of our total emissions at 54.1%; total transportation emissions, including commuting and directly financed air travel, is 58.5%. LSC Commuting Goal: LSC will reduce student and employee commuting and travel by at least 30% by 2030. LSC Commuting Reduction Strageties: -Online ride-share program -Decrease directly financed air travel -Four-day class schedule for summer session -Greater non-motorized accessibility through sidewalks and trail maintenance -Connection to city commuter paths -Create in-city and out-of-city carpool incentives-2012 -Re-work parking “Access Fees” to reflect “Parking Permit” specifically -Allow work-from-home -More direct and extended hours for LSC bussing route utilizing shuttle service -Establish park-and-ride locations for shuttle and carpool -Establish air travel tracking system -Establish directly financed travel tracking system-2013 -Purchase sustainable fleet vehicles SOURCE 2: ENERGY (scopes 1&2) LSC Energy Goal: LSC will reduce energy and electricity emissions by 25% by 2030 based on 2010 campus square-footage consumption rates. LSC Energy Consumption Reduction Strategies: -Expand native landscaping -Evaluate Guaranteed Energy Service Project -Expand no-mow and rain garden areas -Energy conservation through technology -Single building (zoned) weekend class scheduling-Eliminate personal refrigerators, printers, microwaves, coffee pots, space heaters -Education on nightly computer power-down -Water conservation through interior fixtures -Operable south facing windows -Eliminate outdated/energy inefficient technology and equipment -Address diurnal timing of outside lights -Better utilize interior natural lighting and expand use of lighting sensors -Install solar parking lot lights -Install solar Powered LED campus entrance sign -Four-day class scheduling for summer session -Complete building re-commissioning -Capture and redistribute heat from art building kilns -Install solar panels -Install hot water solar collectors -Begin purchasing renewable energy from outside sources -Install rainwater rooftop collectors for toilet/landscape use -Entire building re-commissioning: Integrated energy management between all heating/cooling systems -Install wind turbine SOURCE 3 SOLID WASTE, PURCHASING AND FOOD (scope 3): LSC Solid Waste, Purchasing and Food Goal: LSC will reduce solid waste emissions by 50% by 2030. LSC Solid Waste, Purchasing and Food Reduction Strategies: -LEED Certified new construction policy -Edible landscape/campus garden -Post-consumer food waste pick-up for compost -Purchasing Policy -“Waste-Sort” through MN WasteWise -Participate in Recycle Mania -Waste & recycling tracking (pre and post “Waste-Sort”) -Replace all classroom trash cans with recycle bins -Duplex printers in all teaching labs -Energy Use Policy -Edible landscaping in outdoor planters -Incorporate vegetarian/vegan options into food service -Incorporate more sustainable/local food options -Waste reduction/more efficient recycling program -Campus garden space -Rain barrel collection for garden use
Over the past decade LSC has been working on expanding and incorporating concepts of sustainability into our educational offerings and campus operations. Faculty on the Environmental Council have carried out a number of projects to infuse sustainability into the curriculum. The recent change of administration has presented us with an opportunity to expand our efforts. Campus faculty have been very receptive to learning the concepts of sustainability and promoting its implementation by including student assignments addressing sustainability. In addition, faculty model sustainability behavior in classes by reduced printing/handouts and requiring assignments to be turned in online. LSC Curriculum and Educational Experiences Goals: -Integrate sustainability at multiple levels into courses across the curriculum -Involve students in the study of efforts to integrate sustainability into campus operations -Expand faculty understanding and involvement Curriculum and Educational Experiences Strategies: -Define Sustainability in the curriculum -Establish a college-wide outcome regarding sustainability -Establish sustainably related course list -Involve students in developing the food service committee -Develop a module on sustainability in general and on campus operations for the mandatory Intro to College course -Establish 2+2 articulation agreements for environmental science and sustainability with the University of Minnesota-Duluth and other 4-year colleges -Solar powered LED campus entrance sign -Identify one faculty/staff per division as Sustainability Representative-2012 -Develop stormwater management plan and provide training to maintenance staff -Create Miller Creek Forest Management Plan -Establish accessible real time data of building operations/efficiency for use in coursework -Establish renewable energy related programs/certificates
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Community Outreach and LSC Communication Goal: LSC will expand cooperative community partnerships through student stewardship projects, sustainability focused conferences, and will create transparency through LSC Sustainability webpage. LSC Community Outreach and Communication Strategies: -Student recruiting for EC Student Task Groups -LSC’s Sustainability webpage active -Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan -Ongoing campaigns promoting waste reduction/recycling goals -Incorporate campus sustainability efforts into annual Living Green Conference -Establish ourselves as a Tree Campus USA school, continue annual tree planting -Establish work study positions for Task Groups through EC -Full time LSC Sustainability Coordinator position
