Sustainability Commitment
Approved by Board of Visitors on June 10, 2011
WHEREAS the University of Virginia has a long tradition of environmental stewardship guided by values that have come to be recognized as sustainability principles,
WHEREAS the University of Virginia has taken a leadership role to promote sustainability,
RESOLVED:
- The University of Virginia will undertake to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions to 250,000 metric tons or less by 2025, 25 percent below 2009 levels and over a third less than expected 2025 emissions without this commitment.
- The University will utilize the highest standards of environmental stewardship and resource conservation and will address other areas of concern beyond greenhouse gas emissions, such as waste, water, nitrogen, stream and river protection, noise and light pollution, open space protection, and conservation of the historical and cultural legacy of the community.
- The University will educate and engage its students, faculty, staff, and the larger community; contribute to knowledge through research; promote health and well being; and foster public service related to these sustainability principles.
- These initiatives will be supported by comprehensive planning for and communication about sustainability.
- Initiatives will be evaluated on the basis of benefit, cost, and availability of funding.
- A report on sustainability will be prepared annually for the President. Progress on sustainability initiatives will be presented to the Board of Visitors every two years.
Sustainability efforts are embedded in U.Va.’s governance, culture, and academics, as well as throughout University operational areas of planning, design, construction, transportation, food service, energy use, water use, waste and recycling.