System Procedure 5.17.1 Environmental Sustainability Practices

System Procedures
 Chapter 5 - Administration

Access a PDF copy of this procedure

for Board Policy 5.17

Part 1. Purpose
To establish targets, metrics, and communication requirements for colleges and universities to monitor, report, and make progress toward resilience and sustainability in campus operations.

Part 2. Authority
Policy 5.17 Commitment to Environmental Sustainability directs college and university presidents to develop, implement, and promote campus-based initiatives in support of principles of environmental sustainability.

Part 3. Definitions

Sustainability
Sustainable campuses are those that reduce emissions and minimize energy consumption, water consumption, fuel consumption, and solid waste generation while fulfilling their academic mission.

Resilience
The ability of a system and its component parts to anticipate, absorb, accommodate, or recover from the effects of a hazardous event in a timely and efficient manner, including the preservation, restoration, or improvement of its essential basic structures and functions.

B3 SB 2030 Energy Standard
The Buildings, Benchmarks, and Beyond (B3) Sustainable Building 2030 (SB 2030) Energy Standard is an energy and carbon conservation program designed to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with Minnesota’s commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings. The SB 2030 Energy Standard is grounded in Minnesota Statute. That statute articulates the requirement for quantitative, performance-based measurement using B3 Benchmarking.

B3 Benchmarking
In 2001, Minnesota legislation passed mandating all public buildings to benchmark utility data. B3 Benchmarking is the tool used to fulfill both this mandate and the SB 2030 Energy Standard requirement for project-specific performance measurement.

B3 Guidelines
B3 Guidelines are a functional tool of the B3 program and may be used on a voluntary basis but are required on all major construction projects that receive general obligation bond funding. B3 Guidelines are applied to design of new buildings or renovations to meet sustainability goals. By using the B3 Guidelines, projects are automatically applying the SB 2030 Energy Standard.

Part 4. General Responsibilities
Each college and university president shall appoint a representative for all energy-and sustainability-related issues and shall maintain records regarding carbon emissions, energy and water conservation and efficiency, and waste. The representative shall also monitor and communicate programs, initiatives, and curriculum addressing sustainability, including (but not limited to) sustainable food policies, conservation and protection of the natural environment, and pollution prevention efforts. The targets for each carbon, energy, water, and waste closely follow the Minnesota Department of Administration’s Cabinet Level Agency goals.

  1. Carbon Emissions
    1. Target: The Minnesota State goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to a level at least 30 percent below 2009 levels by 2025, and to a level at least 80 percent below 2009 levels by 2050.
    2. Metric: Representatives shall enter utility billing data into B3 Benchmarking on a monthly basis; the tool will automatically calculate Scope 1 stationary and Scope 2 indirect emissions. Emissions will be recorded in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e).
    3. Reporting frequency: Minnesota State will run annual reports of MTCO2e for the previous calendar year by March 31 of each year. Institutions that have internal or external carbon neutrality commitments (e.g., climate action plans or signed Second Nature Climate Leadership commitments) in place are encouraged to submit their progress reports to Minnesota State to supplement B3 Benchmarking reports.
  2. Energy Conservation and Efficiency
    1. Target: The Minnesota State goal is to reduce energy consumption per square foot by 30 percent below 2017 consumption by 2027.
    2. Metric: Representatives shall enter utility billing data into B3 Benchmarking on a monthly basis. Energy use will be reported as Energy Use Intensity, or EUI (kBtu per square foot per year).
    3. Reporting frequency. Minnesota State will run annual reports of EUI for the previous calendar year by March 31 of each year.
  3. Water Conservation and Efficiency
    1. Target: The Minnesota State goal is to reduce water consumption per square foot by 15 percent below 2017 consumption by 2025.
    2. Metric: Representatives shall enter utility billing data into B3 Benchmarking on a monthly basis.
    3. Reporting frequency. Minnesota State will run reports of annual water consumption for the previous calendar year by March 31 of each calendar year.
  4. Solid Waste
    1. Target: The Minnesota State goal is to achieve a 75 percent solid waste diversion rate through both recycling and composting of solid waste by 2030.
    2. Metric: Representatives shall record solid waste, recycling and organics collection data provided by waste haulers. Waste will be recorded in metric tons.
    3. Reporting frequency: Representatives will submit data for the previous calendar year by March 31 of each year.
  5. Transportation
    1. Target: Implement programs and initiatives that promote lower carbon-intensive transportation options such as carpooling, biking, walking, and use of public transportation systems both for regular commuting as well as for campus-related activities.
    2. Reporting frequency: As requested, but no more than once annually.
  6. Food and Dining
    1. Target: Where feasible, implement programs, initiatives and/or curriculum addressing sustainable food offerings and other food service-based initiatives such as tray-less dining and compostable or reusable serveware and containers; local and regenerative food production; and food recovery efforts.
    2. Reporting frequency: As requested, but no more than once annually.
  7. Conservation and Protection of the Natural Environment
    1. Target: Implement programs, education, staff training and initiatives addressing green infrastructure, such as Low Impact Development for stormwater management, Smart Salting ice and snow removal strategies, and design and manage landscapes to protect pollinators using native trees and plants.
    2. Reporting frequency: As requested, but no more than once annually.
  8. Pollution Prevention
    1. Target: Implement programs and initiatives addressing low chemical-emitting finishes, interior furnishings, furniture, and cleaning products, and the use of LED lamps instead of fluorescents to limit mercury exposure.
    2. Reporting frequency: As requested, but no more than once annually.

These targets do not preclude B3 Guidelines or SB 2030 requirements related to new construction and renovation projects receiving general obligation bond funding from the State of Minnesota.

Minnesota State will assign a representative to monitor and collect all college and university metrics and reports and prepare them for presentation to the Board of Trustees on a regular basis.

Related Documents:

To view any of the following related statutes, go to the Revisor's Office website. You can conduct a search from this site by typing in the statute number.

  • Minnesota Statue Chapter 16B.325, Sustainable Building Guidelines

Procedure History:

Date of Adoption: 07/21/22
Date of Implementation: 07/21/22
Date of Last Review:

Date and Subject of Amendments:

 

No additional HISTORY

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