Implementation Profile for Georgia Institute of Technology
Submitted on November 15, 2007; last updated on July 13, 2009
Institution Information
| Basic Carnegie Classification | RU/VH: Research Universities (very high research activity) |
| Control | Public |
| Location | Atlanta, GA |
| Community Setting | Large city |
| USDOE Climate Zone | 4 |
| Current President or Chancellor's Name | G.P. "Bud" Peterson |
| Current President or Chancellor's Title | President |
| Main Web Site | http://www.gatech.edu |
| Sustainability Web Site | http://www.stewardship.gatech.edu |
Implementation Structure
| Implementation Liaison's Name | Marcia Kinstler |
| Implementation Liaison's Title | Sustainability Director |
| Implementation Liaison's Department | Environmental Stewardship |
| Format of Structure | Center- or Institute-Led |
| Number of Individuals in Structure | 9 |
| Stakeholder Groups Represented | Board, Community Leaders, Faculty, Students, Executive, Community Members, Staff, Alumni |
| Description | Georgia Tech began a program of institutional transformation in the 1990's, to incorporate concepts of sustainable technology and development into every academic program, to promote innovation through research and economic development programs, and to model and implement sustainable practices in the campus environment. The Institute for Sustainable Technology and Development was established to advocate for sustainability in education, research, and on campus. Recently, the Office of Environmental Stewardship was established to integrate the established and emerging operational sustainability initiatives across the entire institute, into the community and among our partners. |
Tangible Actions
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1. Establish a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standard or equivalent. Yes: The campus policy specifies that GT will register all new buildings and renovations with LEED. Campus design standards and specifications have reflected LEED-like requirements for a number of years. Wherever possible, the campus attempts to achieve a âsilverâ or above rating. One building has been formally silver certified. Additional buildings have achieved similar silver-level performance, with a limited number formally submitted for certification. |
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2. Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist. Yes: Georgia Tech has had a green purchasing policy since 2004 and provides education to administrative and management personnel support the policy. We have proactively encouraged the purchase and use of EnergyStar certified products since the early 2000's. An energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy will be implemented requiring the purchase of EnergyStar products in all areas for which such ratings exist and are available under state purchasing contracts and regulations. |
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3. Establish a policy of offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel paid for by our institution. No: No information provided. |
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4. Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students and visitors at our institution. Yes: GT has a transit subsidy program to encourage the use of alternative transportation as a means to travel to and from the campus. The institution subsidizes local transit pass programs. In addition, the campus shuttle system is operated free-of-charge and provides access to key parts of campus, city mass transit and the surrounding community. A number of the shuttles used in the system are clean fuel vehicles. These programs are available to faculty, staff, students, and visitors to the campus. |
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5. Within one year of signing this document, begin purchasing or producing at least 15% of our institution's electricity consumption from renewable sources. No: No information provided. |
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6. Establish a policy or a committee that supports climate and sustainability shareholder proposals at companies where our institution's endowment is invested. No: No information provided. |
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7. Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, and adopt 3 or more associated measures to reduce waste. No: No information provided. |