Towards carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability at CCSU

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide information about past and present efforts undertaken at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) to reduce its carbon footprint and to institute a campus culture centered on the principles of environmental sustainability. Provide some recommendations to other institutions of higher education interested in reducing their own carbon footprint.Design/methodology/approachThis manuscript will first discuss past attempts at implementing ecologically sustainable practices at CCSU. Then, it will speak about current successes and close with a discussion about future goals for the university.FindingsInstituting carbon neutrality and sustainability programs at institutes of higher education requires support from the faculty, administration, students, and facilities management staff.Practical implicationsThe information in this paper will provide useful information to other institutions of higher education that are seeking to institute carbon reduction and sustainability programs.Originality/valueThis paper is original in that it provides details about CCSU's carbon neutrality efforts and recently initiated sustainability program that only someone intimately involved would know. Its value lies in helping others know of methods that have been successful in reducing a campus' carbon footprint.

Sustainable Procurement in Australian and UK Universities

“…Krizek et al (2012) This is supported by Adams (2013) who emphasizes the importance of collaborative leadership styles (particularly relevant given the decentralization of University SP), a whole of University approach to sustainability and the commitment of the Vice-Chancellor/President and University Council. Moreover, Button (2009) argues that innovation in sustainable procurement requires a culture and mind-set shift, towards one that is centred on the principles of sustainability currently lacking in the Australian university sector in particular (Adams 2013). …”

The Engagement of Students in Higher Education Institutions with the Concepts of Sustainability: A Case Study of the University of Northampton, in England

“…It would perhaps have been better to focus on a select number of strongly linked and focused interventions/issues. These challenges would therefore have had an impact on changing the habits of the students, as the steps taken during the implementation phase of interventions play a crucial role in their success [37,41,49]. Managing so many initiatives made effective implementation of the overall P2 project difficult.…”

“…The recycling message amongst the students was strong, both at UoN and at home, indicating a spill over of behaviours between settings [33,[47][48][49][50]. Indeed, levels of awareness of recycling were …”

“…Students are more likely to undertake "light green" actions that involve "minor" lifestyle changes (e.g., recycling, saving energy and water, using public transportation and buying organic, fair trade and healthy products), as compared to more major practices (e.g., eating less meat or paying more for renewable energy) [34,48]. Support from the faculty, administration, and facility management staff is crucial to the success of programmes [49].…”

An action research approach for embedding education for sustainability in a university undergraduate curriculum

“…These provide a systematic structure to manage and improve the environmental performance of the organisation. Several stories of transformation of universities in terms of environmental management of the estates and operations can be found in the literature (Downey, 2004;Nicolaides, 2006;Sammalisto & Lindhqvist, 2008;Sharp, 2002 (Atherton & Giurco, 2011;Button, 2009;Cleaves et al, 2009;Rauch & Newman, 2009;Riddell et al, 2009). Universities can play an important role as stakeholders in decision-making and in assisting regional and national policy developments to meet the climate change challenge (Coffman, 2009 Corporate social responsibility and procurement practices are other areas of development in…”