SUNY Climate and Sustainability Action Plan

Goals

I.1 Meet CLCPA and EO22 goals by achieving a 40 percent reduction in Scopes 1 and 2 greenhouse gases by 2030 compared to a 1990 baseline, with a pathway to an 85 percent reduction by 2050. (Advances Objective I)

I.2 Establish a baseline, reduction goals, and tracking mechanisms for Scope 3 emissions for categories within campus influence and control. (Objective I)

I.3 SUNY campuses have reduced exposure to climate risks within campus influence and control. (Objective II)

I.4 Ensure governance and support are in place to implement climate and sustainability goals and actions. (Objectives I, II, III, IV, V)

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Goals

2.1 Every curricular degree program has incorporated appropriate climate and sustainability program learning outcomes (Objectives IV, V)

2.2 All SUNY students have the opportunity to participate in non-curricular, informal, or experiential activities that provide a broad understanding of sustainability and practice in implementing theory into action (Objectives IV, V)

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Goals

3.1 Double SUNY research dollars compared to a baseline to be developed for 2025 on climate and sustainability issues, focusing on developing innovative technology and insights for climate solutions. (Objective III)

3.2 Launch at least 50 innovative and 10 market-ready (i.e., ready for commercial deployment and widescale adoption) products or technologies related to climate and sustainability by 2030. (Objective III)

3.3 SUNY is recognized as a place for undergraduate and graduate students and post-docs to undertake research to address climate and sustainability challenges. (Objective V)

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Goals

4.1 Facilitate New Yorkers’ transition to green jobs or occupations related to climate and sustainability, focusing on low-income residents of frontline environmental justice communities and former workers in carbon-intensive industries. (Objectives III, V).

4.2 Create economic and workforce development partnerships with state agencies, labor organizations, industry, and economic development entities. (Objectives III, V)

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Goals

5.1 Maintain efforts to reduce energy use in SUNY buildings (Objective I)

5.2 Prioritize the electrification of baseload energy needs and convert an additional 20 percent of SUNY’s building footprint to electrically powered heat pumps, geothermal systems, and/or thermal energy networks by 2030. (Objective I)

5.3 Generate 66,000 megawatt hours (MWh) per year of on or off-site renewable electricity by 2030. (Objective I)

5.4 Use lower carbon construction materials in all new construction and renovations, when available. (Objective I) 5.5 Reduce GHG emissions from refrigerants. (Objective I)

5.6 Reduce potable water use in buildings. (Objective II)

5.7 Increase stormwater capture. (Objective II)

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Transportation Goals

• 6.1 Convert 75 percent of SUNY’s light-duty fleet vehicles to zero-emission vehicles by 2030, with a pathway to 100% conversion of the light-duty fleet by 2035. (Objective I, IV)
• 6.2 Reduce Scope 1 emissions attributable to SUNY fleet operations. (Objective I)
• 6.3 Support alternative means of commuting to campuses so students and employees have safe options other than single occupancy vehicles.
• 6.4 Reduce Scope 3 travel emissions for official travel. (Objective I, IV)

Procurement Goals

• 6.5 75 percent of spending on goods and services is sustainable as defined by EO22 specifications, for goods that have an applicable, approved GreenNY specification. (Objectives I, III, IV)
• 6.6 No purchases of single-use plastics, except as allowed by SUNY’s policy for emergency and medical exceptions (Objectives I, III, IV) (applies to community colleges as well as state-operated campuses)
• 6.7 Track Scope 3 procurement emissions for SUNY operations. (Objective I)

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Food Goals

• 6.8 Increase the availability of food that meets sustainability guidelines as defined in the AASHE STARS system. (Objectives I, III, IV, V)
• 6.9 30 percent of food purchased is produced in New York State. (Objectives I, III, IV, V)

Waste Goals

• 6.10 Divert 75 percent of waste by 2030 in accordance with EO22 scope, which includes recycling, composting and reuse. (Objectives I, III, IV, V)
• 6.11 Increase diversion of construction and demolition materials by reuse or recycling. (Objectives I, III, IV, V)
• 6.12 Reduce the overall weight of all materials disposed of in landfills or incinerated by 90 percent by 2030. (Objectives I, III, IV, V)

Ecosystems Goals

• 6.13 All campus areas, except for buildings and athletic fields, are protected, restored, or otherwise managed ecologically (as defined by AASHE STARS 3.0) to increase biodiversity and ecosystem services. (Objectives I, III, IV, V)

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Goals

7.1 All SUNY students can participate in activities related to climate, sustainability, nature, or outdoor recreation, with a focus on engaging low-income or minority students. (Objectives IV, V)

7.2 All campuses have at least one climate or sustainability-focused event annually open to the community, non-academic staff, and students, with a focus on engaging low-income or minority students and disadvantaged communities. (Objectives II, IV, V)

7.3 All campuses have at least one community partnership that explicitly supports underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations to address climate, sustainability, or resiliency challenges identified by the community. (Objectives II, IV, V)

7.4 All campuses have programs providing an opportunity for students, staff, and faculty to participate annually in community service, other civic engagement programs, or a community of practice and learning that focuses on reaching disadvantaged communities. (Objectives II, IV, V)

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