2011
Templates of Action
To Assist with Preparing
University’s Climate Action Plan
(CAP)
Preparing the first Climate Action Plan (CAP) can be a difficult task. With this in mind a set of Templates of
Action was developed to provide a realistic tool for review of university’s operations and to help identify
intentions and opportunities for each task team. We hope that other universities will find our templates
useful as they develop their CAPs.
Witold Bujak - Sustainability Manager at RIT
R∙I∙T Rochester Institute of Technology
Contents
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1
Templates of Action .............................................................................................................................. 2
Facility Operations ............................................................................................................................ 2
Mission Statement: ............................................................................................................................ 2
Objectives: ..................................................................................................................................... 2
Suggestions: ................................................................................................................................... 2
Food Service....................................................................................................................................... 5
Mission Statement: ............................................................................................................................ 5
Objectives: ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Suggestions: ................................................................................................................................... 5
Grounds ............................................................................................................................................. 6
Mission Statement: ........................................................................................................................ 6
Objectives: ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Suggestions: ................................................................................................................................... 6
Education and Outreach ................................................................................................................... 7
Mission Statement: ........................................................................................................................ 7
Objectives: ..................................................................................................................................... 7
Suggestions: ................................................................................................................................... 7
Purchasing ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Mission: .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Objectives: ..................................................................................................................................... 8
Suggestions: ................................................................................................................................... 8
Recycling ............................................................................................................................................ 9
Objectives: ..................................................................................................................................... 9
Suggestions: ................................................................................................................................... 9
Transportation ..................................................................................................................................10
Objectives: ....................................................................................................................................10
Suggestions: ..................................................................................................................................10
CAP – Templates of Action
ii
Introduction
To satisfy the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), universities select
designated task force (TF) teams with a mission of preparing their Climate Action Plans (CAP). Those teams -dedicated to the common goal of charting a successful path toward climate neutrality—should be comprised of
members representing the education, research, community outreach, facilities, purchasing and other activities on
the campus. Preparing the first CAP can be a difficult undertaking even to those experienced individuals, although a
comprehensive pragmatic approach can make the job of the TF team easier. With this in mind a set of Templates of
Action was developed to provide a realistic tool for review of a university’s operations and to help identify intentions
and opportunities for each team.
A template begins with a mission statement that is focused on the key role of each entity as it relates to reducing
carbon emissions, campus ecology or sustainability-related activities in the education, research and campus
outreach; preparing the mission statement is an important step in re-defining its own purpose and goals. Objectives
are a set of solutions, incentives, resources and other tools that should be developed and retained to maintain and
achieve the strategic plans and goals. Suggestions are practical means that will make the objectives achievable.
Universities differ in their structures, physical size and environmental impact on the local and global ecology. It is
suggested that each template is evaluated by the university TF team and adapted to meet their specific needs using
the following general process:
Develop a list of processes, procedures, incentives and resources to identify, promote and measure
opportunities with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with that group’s focus area.
Rank the processes, procedures, incentives and resources identified by the team based on their projected
impact on reducing the carbon footprint, considering the first costs, annual costs, CO2 reduction potential,
implementation feasibility and other characteristics unique to the measures.
Create an initial strategic plan addressing the requirements for implementing, benchmarking and quantifying the
measures identified in the previous tasks.
Develop a structure to permanently support the carbon emission reduction efforts and the education of the
university and local communities.
Process Flow and Deadline Control Table
Item
1
Develop CAP process template
2
Kick-off meeting for division members
3
Brainstorm ideas, set priorities and develop matrix of priorities and costs over time
4
Develop milestones
5
Prepare scenarios
6
Develop narrative
7
Vet scenarios, rank and select the most probable
8
Submit draft proposal to CAP Integrator
Deadline
CAP – Templates of Action
1
Templates of Action
Facility Operations
Mission Statement:
As the main provider of utilities, Facility Operations assumes a leading role in reducing carbon-based
emissions, developing and implementing the best in class environmental practices in support of the
American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment.
Objectives:
Develop processes, procedures, solutions, incentives and resources to recognize, measure, impact,
and reduce the existing footprint of carbon-based emissions associated with the operation,
maintenance, and upkeep of the interior and exterior spaces of the facilities and grounds, along with
intra-facility transportation and other processes and systems that fall within the operational boundaries
of the University as declared in GHG Inventory and the jurisdiction of Facilities
Develop and implement a strategic plan that defines and quantifies processes procedures and
benchmarks addressing the University environmental and energy efficiency goals that guide the design,
upgrades and repair of new and existing facilities, utility systems and equipment, thereby increasing the
efficiency, sustainability, comfort and reliability of the campus infrastructure
Provide a University structure to permanently support the carbon emission reduction efforts, utilizing
energy analysis, commissioning, reporting and forecasting.
Develop policies guiding the selection and purchase of utilities, cleaning supplies, materials, fuels,
consumables, replacement equipment, vehicles, etc., based on their sustainability, how they are
harvested, manufactured, packaged and delivered and other appropriate characteristics to minimize
their embodied carbon
Develop vital statistics and a collaborative platform to transparently illustrate the progress in achieving
the Climate Action Plan of the University in relation to the responsibilities of Facilities and the
stewardship of land, water and built environments.
Suggestions:
Develop the following sustainable policies and processes for the University facilities departments and
support their proper implementation:
o University Energy Policy: Guidelines and setpoints for maintaining acceptable internal space
conditions, indoor air quality and a system of checks and balances to continuously assess
operations to reduce variation from the norms established by the policy
o Operation Reporting Procedures: In support of the University Energy Policy, implement a
reporting procedure that will automatically generate daily, weekly, monthly and annual status
reports listing setpoint changes, trending, overrides, alarm densities and other daily dynamics,
along with the number of outstanding HVAC system alarms remaining in the daily stack, in an
effort to quantify the impact of these changes on the carbon footprint
o Sustainable Construction Policy: An enforceable policy including pre and post score sheets
that calculate the impact of Value Engineering decisions that had taken place after construction
documents
o Contractor’s Performance Integration Policy (CPIP): mandating commissioning of all
deliverables according to University standards and assures results through contractual
contingencies
o Green Building Policy: Specifications addressing required materials, recycling content, light
transmittance, insulation factors, energy factors, water use minimization and other sustainable
CAP – Templates of Action
2
parameters for use in the project design and submittal documentation, based on the LEED,
local and state codes and best practice recommended for the universities, including:
 Certification of all new and renovated buildings to LEED standard assuring:
Design to a LEED specification with (an initial) minimum achievement of LEED
Silver certification
Design based on a carefully prepared Owner's Project Requirement (OPR) and
Base of Design (BOD) documentation
Designed based on the energy modeling input
Completed with a design thoroughly reviewed by an internal engineering team
Commissioned with 'zero defect' goal, confirmed throughout a basic and
extended commissioning
Commissioned with full resolution of all punch list items
Followed up with a ten-month-review and survey of building occupants to
establish a level of customer satisfaction in the building’s use and its comfort
 Furnishing new buildings with a public display showing a demonstration of building's
energy performance indicative of the energy use by various normalization factors
 Participation in available energy incentives programs
Develop a position for a dedicated Energy Analyst (EA), whose role is focused on finding system
deficiencies through a continuous investigative work, problem solving and verification of corrections, in
an effort to decrease emissions throughout the campus
Develop building energy metering systems including:
o Continuous monitoring of its energy sources, including gas, electric, heating and cooling
consumption, renewable energy, and water and sewer usage per each building
o Meter balance reports to show the accuracy of energy metering, (for example, compare a total
sum of heating energy metered in each building against a total metered heating output
produced at the central plant). Do this for all utility supplies
o Trend and tracking process for each building integrated with the associated energy
benchmarks/profiles to support continuous, intelligent analysis of the energy consumption and
its variations over time
o Development of the utility charges and a department-based billing process based on network of
building-based meters, feeding the data into dynamic matrixes utilized for implementation of a
real-use charges appropriated to the University entities according to the amount of energy
utilized
o Develop media to educate and impact a building occupant’s behavior with focus on the
resources conservation, CO2 based control and other applicable opportunities
Organize a revolving commissioning program, reinforced through the development of a dedicated
Commissioning Authority (CxA)
o The University CxA will be responsible for existing building infrastructure, new construction and
renovations to maximize energy performance, asset value, life expectancy and reduction of
emissions associated with their use
Develop procedures for accurately and continuously tracking the data needed for the GHG inventory
submission. Institutionalize each task so its completion becomes routine, supported by personal
responsibility, accountability and proper supervision
o Development of procedures, supporting tools, archives and reporting methods to continuously
track data, impact of changes, measuring of progress and updating the milestones through
updates of Climate Action Plan (CAP)
o Development of Refrigerant Replacement and Loss Log record as needed for GHG reporting
o Development of methods and systems to allow for online creation, collaboration, sharing,
storage and retrieval of GHG and CAP records, transparent and native to a common PC
software platform.
CAP – Templates of Action
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Develop operational procedures favorable to reducing the University’s carbon footprint and increasing
its sustainability
o Incorporate sustainability parameters into the prioritization of equipment replacements,
calculating the potential of the carbon released or saved and use it as one of the considerations
of the selection process
o Develop maintenance procedure policies that detail recycling of CFLs, fluorescent and mercury
containing lamps and increased recycling of other electronic components
o Implement sustainable housekeeping, grounds, HVAC, painting, etc. policies and procedures
o Maximize the efficiency of university-owned vehicles, centralize Facilities’’ operations to reduce
the vehicle miles associated with maintenance functions, purchase green fuel vehicles, develop
a replacement vehicle policy, etc.
Develop outreach opportunities on efficiency and sustainability topics for the campus and outside
communities
o Work within the University and engaged communities to share lessons learned and encourage
adoption of sustainable practices.
o Promote and maintain activities that encourage exchanges, swaps and resale of surplus
products and supplies.
o Investigate resource conservation, reuse and recycling options and encourage adoption of
those by all members of the University community.
o Organize open forums, town meetings and other publicly available events that would inform the
community of the Facilities’ progress in sustainability, application of new products and
technologies and progress in energy efficiency and GHG curtailment
o Provide a public forum for vendors demonstrating exceptionally sustainable quality of product
or service
o Participate in large public events by including demonstrations of sustainable methods,
products and achievements implemented as a consequential aspect of University’s innovation,
progress and involvement in the Presidents’ Climate Commitment
o Review sustainable performance of leading educational institutions in search of ideas,
approaches, current progress and achievements in area of sustainable facilities, energy and
emission curtailment through implementation of their Climate Action Plans.
CAP – Templates of Action
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Food Service
Mission Statement:
As the main provider of prepared foodstuffs to the campus community, Food Service assumes a leading
role in reducing carbon-based emissions through integrating opportunities to reduce imbedded carbon
associated with purchasing; developing and implementing measures to aerobically compost organic wastes;
and Institute environmental practices in support of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate
commitment.
Objectives:
Develop solutions, incentives and resources to lower the environmental burden of the University’s food
service operations while maintaining a nutritional quality, product appeal and requirements of health
standards
Implement a strategic plan that defines and quantifies the imbedded carbon associated with the
purchase of foodstuffs used by dining services and develop benchmarks and procedures to measurably
reduce carbon
Provide a structure to permit the collection, measurement and composting of organic waste by aerobic
methods
Investigate the selection and purchase of recyclable dishware, utensils and packaging along with a
method to collect, measure and recycle the used material
Implement procedures to improve the efficiency of water usage by the food service locations.
Suggestions:
Develop a sustainable food purchasing policy for the University and support its proper implementation
and periodic revisions, and furthermore:
o Recognizing that sustainable purchasing is a critical component of preserving natural
resources, lowering of operating costs and reducing waste investigate procedures to reduce
carbon emissions associated with the growth, manufacture, delivery and use of foodstuffs,
materials and their disposal
o Develop supplier requirements with business partners, contractors and suppliers to drive
sustainable and socially conscious practices
o Construct procurement policies for the purchase of commonly used supplies, materials,
equipment and services to minimized their environmental costs
 Disposable plates and dishes (bio-degradable if practical)
 Cleaning solvents (bio-degradable)
 Packaging (recyclable, bio-degradable or containing a minimum packaging mass)
Investigate resource recovery, conservation, reuse and recycling including the:
o Application of the energy recovery equipment in cooking, ventilation, heating, air conditioning
and dishwashing equipment and processes
o Implementation of run-time minimization for all energy consuming equipment and processes
o Recycling of cooking oil
Develop the following outreach and educational instruments to improve the efficiency of use and
reduction of carbon associated with food service functions:
o A Vendor Questionnaire Form to monitor food market supply chains including details of
harvesting, manufacturing, packaging, delivery and disposal of goods to assist in purchasing
“green” products
o An assessment tools designed to evaluate effectiveness of this policy and make changes when
necessary
o Fliers to encourage customers to adopt the recycling and other sustainable practices
o Participation plans for public events to demonstrate and deploy sustainable food service
practices, products and processes.
CAP – Templates of Action
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Grounds
Mission Statement:
As the department charged with the responsibility to maintain the University land, roadways, parking lots,
sidewalks, playing fields and vegetation beds, the Grounds team assumes a leading role in reducing
carbon-based emissions associated with their upkeep.
Objectives:
Develop policies, solutions, incentives and resources to decrease the environmental burden of the
University on the local ecosystem by maintaining synergistic harmony of the natural and built environment;
enhancing ecological value and size of woods, wetlands and agricultural land; protecting natural and native
spices of fauna and flora; and enhancing growth of the mutually beneficial forestall sink of the CO2 on
campus grounds.
Suggestions:
Develop a practical composting policy that includes realistic solutions to systematically collect, process
and dispose of the aerobic composted materials
o Develop and implement use of assessment tools designed to evaluate effectiveness of this
policy by:
 Creating the goals, benchmarks, reports and statistics to plan, trend and track
progress of campus recycling
 Creating mechanism for monthly tracking of recycling data and implementation of
corrective actions
 Comparing the University’s performance with the achievements of other similar
universities
Develop a plan to replace vehicles and gas fueled equipment with comparable equipment that emits
lower CO2
o Natural gas
o Biodiesel
o E-85
Reduce the quantity of nitrogen-based fertilizers used on site.
Develop strategy to increase carbon sinks on campus through habitat enhancements, no mow zones,
reforestation or other efforts.
Establishment of edible landscaping that can be used in campus dining operations.
CAP – Templates of Action
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Education and Outreach
Mission Statement:
To educate, instruct, inform and promote behavioral changes of University’s stakeholders, students,
business partners and engaged communities on the sciences associated with carbon emissions and global
warming.
Objectives:
Develop solutions and strategies to educate, instruct, inform and promote behavioral changes of
University’s stakeholders, students, business partners, and engaged communities. Create an environment
that encourages faculty and students to share sustainable experience, knowledge, tools and educational
resources. Develop community outreach programs that could propel University into sustainability leadership
in the community.
Suggestions:
Develop a Sustainability Across the Curriculum initiative. This may be though workshops, course
redesign grants, establishment of university wide sustainability learning outcomes for example.
Organize open forums, town meetings and other publicly available events that would inform the
community on University’s progress and sustainable performance.
Use easily recognizable promotions like Campus Sustainability Day, Earth Day, Recycle Day, etc.
Reach out to local colleges, universities and high schools to educate, exchange information, coordinate
joint activities to reduce global carbon emissions
Become an active participant at large public events to present sustainable processes and
breakthroughs, opportunities and possibilities based on the University’s innovation and progress
Invite key experts and representatives to community gatherings to present, discuss events and
exchange information
Become an active part of the University Open House events, to raise awareness of educational courses
available to freshmen in sustainable areas of study
Encourage and engage University’s student population in sustainability initiatives, energy competitions,
recycling and club activities that address environmental needs of RIT and community at large
Work with the University on the deployment of public displays addressing current and pending events,
building energy performance, recycling and other sustainable topics
Initiate a regional clean energy demonstration and resource center to inspire, educate, and assist
members of the wider community on availability and use of renewable energy
Develop new ideas for the University sustainability website and University News media to attract a
larger audience of internal and external readers
Review the sustainable performance of leading educational institutions in search of ideas, approaches,
current statuses and achievements in area of a community outreach component of the Climate Action
Plan.
CAP – Templates of Action
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Purchasing
Mission:
Strive to conduct activities in an ecologically and economically sound manner and will promote responsible
consumption and environmentally sound practices among all members of the University community. We
recognize that sustainable procurement practices are a critical component of preserving natural resources,
lowering operating costs, and minimizing waste.
Objectives:
Develop solutions, incentives and resources to lower the environmental burden of purchasing and procured
products by developing requirements for sustainable goods, products and services distinguished by their
extended life expectancy, high ranking efficiency, high content of recycled materials or certifiable preconsumer use. Other sustainable opportunities should consider how purchased products are harvested,
manufactured, packaged and delivered. These characteristics should be imbedded in procurement
requirements and documents for direct purchases and competitive bids.
Suggestions:
Develop a sustainable purchasing policy for the University and support its proper implementation by:
o
o
o
o
o
Recognizing that sustainable purchasing is a critical component of preserving natural
resources, lowering of operating costs and waste minimization, specify whenever possible
and reasonable, the use of sustainable, environmentally friendly systems, equipment and
materials
Ensuring that supplies, materials, equipment and services are procured at the lowest
possible monetary and environmental costs
Incorporating a commitment to purchasing the Energy Star certified appliances and
products
Promoting business with design firms, consultants, contractors, manufacturers and
suppliers that consistently demonstrate sustainable and socially conscious business
practices
Giving preference to locally owned businesses or produced products where possible
Develop and maintain a database of suppliers and materials complying with University’s sustainable
purchasing policy
Develop procurement tables with details and parameters of measuring the sustainability of
recommended equipment, appliances and other items listed below:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Electronic equipment, desktop computers, notebooks, monitors, printers, copiers, scanners
and overhead projectors
Copiers and printers should be comparable with the use of recycled products and
defaulting to double sided printing
Electric motors and motor driven appliance should have a high energy efficiency ratings
Water appliances should have low water flow characteristics
Car fleet should consider electric-hybrids, biodiesel and high MPG characteristics
Cleaning solvents should be biodegradable
Packaging should use recyclable, biodegradable or similar materials and contain a
minimum of packaging mass
Work within the University and engaged communities to share lessons learned and encourage adoption
of sustainable practices.
CAP – Templates of Action
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Recycling
Mission Statement:
The University’s Recycling Department exists to actively promote proper waste management through
Recycling and Waste Minimization. We do this by developing solutions, initiatives, and educational
programs that encourage sustainable behavior throughout the University in order to facilitate change in our
Global community.
Objectives:
The Recycling Department has set a goal of recycling over 50% of the waste that leaves the campus. In
order to meet the goal of recycling half of the Institute's waste, the Recycling Department is working
continuously to raise awareness of the benefits of recycling and to make recycling more convenient for
everyone.
Suggestions:
Recognizing that recycling is a critical component of preserving natural resources, lowering operating
costs and improving waste minimization, develop a comprehensive recycling and composting policy for
the University open space and grounds and support its implementation:
o Develop a comprehensive recycling policy addressing:
 dormitories and housing collection routines that support sorting, storage and
distribution mechanisms to “free-cycle” the usable items during the move-in and
move-out days
 New construction and renovation projects including a reporting platform
 Recycling at University events, celebrations, festivals and public events
 Annual actions focused on collection and disposal of electronics, computers, cell
phones, printers and other hazardous and post-consumer materials
o Develop and implement use of assessment tools designed to evaluate effectiveness of this
policy by:
 Creating the goals, benchmarks, reports and statistics to plan, trend and track
progress of campus recycling
 Creating mechanism for monthly tracking of recycling data and implementation of
corrective actions
 Comparing the University’s performance with the achievements of other similar
universities
o Develop a campus-wide recycling contest supported by a matrix’s table to allow
comparison and measurement of the individual and collective achievements
o Participate in the nationwide recycling events including the America Recycles Day and
RecycleMania
o Develop a Vendor Qualification Form to assess the level of vendor’s operational
efficiencies considering the type of provided recycling stream (single vs. comingled) and
the hauler’s driving distance from the base from the University’s campus
o Create a recycling informational campaign to educate campus community
CAP – Templates of Action
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Transportation
Objectives:
The Institute is committed to improve the vehicular and pedestrian movements on campus. The recently
prepared Comprehensive Parking and Transportation Strategy focuses on the analysis of opportunities and
improvements in the existing transportation patterns; bus and shuttle transit services; parking allocations;
and advancements in bike and pedestrian traffic. These new initiatives are part of a coordinated effort to
introduce sustainable Travel Demand Management (TDM) techniques to our community.
Suggestions:
Develop methods to accurately record emissions from University-related transportation sources
Encourage use of low energy, fuel efficient (LEFE) vehicles by faculty, staff and students, including the
motorcycles, electric vehicles (EV) and hybrids, by providing preferred parking incentives, EV charging
stations and other incentives
Develop and maintain solutions and incentives to reduce emissions associated with campus commuting
like carpooling, park and ride, and rideshare programs. Create and support a culture that encourages
faculty, staff and students to share transportation resources
Develop programs and infrastructure that encourages the student population to minimize driving within
the University campus
Develop a bikeway infrastructure including bike-thruways, shelters and storage, parking equipment and
shower facilities.
o Provide and encourage the use of U-bike, a free on-campus bike use program and bike
tune-up services
Work with the local Transit Authority on developing cost-effective commuter options and bus route
alternatives.
o Provide and expand subsidized Bus-Pass programs for work-related transportation of
faculty, staff and students, and make available transportation to nearby shopping centers
for campus residents
Increase the number and capacity of energy efficient residence halls on campus and in its vicinity to
minimize number of commuting students and their commuting distance
Introduce and expand the use of alternative fuels in University fleet vehicles and provide adequate
filling and charging infrastructure
Develop a University telecommuting policy and support its implementation
Create a regional clean transportation demonstration and resource center to inspire, educate, and
inform
CAP – Templates of Action
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