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Discover ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Boulder's innovative sustainability initiatives, including ongoing and planned projects aimed at fostering a greener future.

Sustainability Summit

Anticipated Impact:Ìý Last year we had 24 student projects and over 100 participating students so we hope to see the same in our 'Student Showcase' this year.

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Develop a landscape map and overarching framework to understand sustainability at ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Boulder

Provide a comprehensive visual of the assets and strengths of the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Boulder community and surrounding organizations.

Anticipated Completion Date: May 1

Anticipated Impact: Visual will organize and share information about the sustainability work happening at ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Boulder.Ìý

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Provide STARS update, analysis of gaps, and future direction

Move OutÌýÌý

Our annual effort to capture reusable or recyclable materials at move out. Students play a critical role in staffing this effort, either via their regular job duties or student volunteers.

Anticipated Completion Date:Ìý May 9th

Anticipated Impact:Ìý Last year we collected 21.31 tons of gently used household goods from campus residents which were then donated. 2,500 lbs of that was food that we were able to donate to the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Basic Needs Center. We expect similar numbers this year.

Move Out (On the Hill)

This is a new (improved) effort to solve the problematic move out process on the hill. We have partnered with the City of Boulder and the Student Affairs Off Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations office to provide a comprehensive approach to waste collection and diversion. Students from both ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ offices, and hopefully others, will play a critical role in staffing this effort, either via their regular job duties or student volunteers.Ìý

Anticipated Completion Date: May 9th - 14th

Anticipated Impact:Ìý TBD, but the goal is to improve the move out experience for students and neighbors while diverting usable materials for reuse or capturing recyclable material.

Operationalize Scope 3

Develop and formalize a methodology for calculating emissions in Scope 3. The Climate Action Plan acknowledges the need for a robust and quality strategy for calculating emissions in these categories in order to develop strategies to reduce emissions. This project will identify an owner and subject matter expert for each of the eight categories, a methodology outlining the collection of category data, and an updated category emission calculation.Ìý

Anticipated Completion Date: May 30

Anticipated Impact: Establish baseline emissions and clarify strategies that can be implemented by the campus to reduce emissions in the eight categories that constitute Scope 3.Ìý

Complete procedures for emissions reduction policy, including low carbon building

The emissions reduction policy is designed to support the effort to reduce the carbon footprint of the campus and related activities. Specifically, the policy outlines the goals and related procedures and guidelines that will help reduce our carbon output by 50% by 2030. The completion of the procedures will be submitted to the SLT and campus leadership for approval and implementation.Ìý

Anticipated Completion Date: May 30

Anticipated Impact: Align campus goals and strategies with an accountability tool that helps reinforce the importance and responsibilities of the campus community.Ìý

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Climate Action Planning Course: Developing Scope 3 Emissions Reductions Strategies

Monitoring Federal Decisions Impact on Research ActivitiesÌýÌýÌý

Determine impact of new administration on research at ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Boulder.

Anticipated Completion Date: Ongoing, through Fall 2025

Anticipated Impact:Ìý This project entails monitoring the federal funding landscape under the second Trump Administration, with an emphasis on federal grants and contracts that support sustainability research and related activities. The university has developed a list of federal awards that may be at heightened risk of reduction or elimination. In parallel, we are monitoring the budgetary developments at key agencies that fund sustainability research (e.g., NOAA, NSF, DOE, among others. This work enables proactive planning in the face of possible funding disruptions, while also catalyzing efforts to diversify our external funding sources. These include increased engagement with industry, philanthropic foundations, and other non-federal sponsors committed to advancing sustainability priorities.

Budget (if applicable): N/AÌý

Launch Sustainability Big Idea Comprehensive Campaign

Launch Sustainability Big Idea visioning for comprehensive campaign.

Anticipated Start Date: Launch Q4 FY25

Anticipated Completion Date: Q2 FY26

Anticipated Impact: In partnership with Andrew Mayock, identify key stakeholders to join workgroup for Sustainability Big Idea.Ìý Engaging identified campus leaders in the visioning will ensure there is a unified campus vision to successfully articulate a single message to donors who have the inclination and ability to support sustainability at ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ at the highest levels of philanthropy.

Budget (if applicable): TBD based on ideation and vision (the cost to the university on the front-end is only people’s time; the cost to fund the concepts identified as part of the fundraising campaign is TBD)Ìý