Add as a preferred source on Google

American University Launches Sustainability Research Project

  • By Matt Jones
  • 12/05/24

American University in Washington, D.C., recently began a research project exploring the relationship between purchase decisions for university campuses and sustainability, according to a news release. The study seeks to explore how “greening” the purchases involved in student housing renovations, breaking ground on new facilities, buying new equipment and supplies, and more, can foster larger sustainability goals.

Researchers will use a systems approach to discover how to boost employee engagement and study the dynamics of staff, vendors, and the university’s sustainability office during the decision-making process. Final results will be shared with other universities to help them achieve sustainability goals, the news release reports.

“The project is a great example of how research can have a positive impact on campus,” said Megan Litke, director of the university’s Office of Sustainability. “By better understanding where the opportunities exist within the purchasing chain, we can engage our community to make decisions that will drive down AU's emissions and continue to deepen AU’s progress in sustainability.”

Funding for the study comes through a Faculty Research Incubator Grant from the university’s Center for Environment, Community & Equity. About 92 percent of an organization’s climate emissions come from procurement, according to the news release citing the Climate Disclosure Project. Facilities’ managers decisions about materials, transportation, and packaging lead to significant effects on greenhouse gas emissions.

“The CECE Faculty Research Incubator Grant Program supports emergent interdisciplinary environmental research projects at American University,” said CECE Director Professor Dana R. Fisher. “Through this program, we aim to encourage the type of cross-disciplinary research necessary to solving the environmental issues plaguing our society today.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Recent University of Pennsylvania Projects Receive LEED Certifications

    The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Penn., recently announced that three of its recent construction projects have earned LEED certifications, according to university news. The Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology (VLEST) received a LEED Platinum certification, Amy Gutmann Hall a LEED Gold, and the OTT Center for Track and Field a LEED silver.

  • Delta State University Completes Renovations to School of Nursing Facilities

    Delta State University recently completed a major expansion and renovation project for the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing facilities on its campus in Cleveland, Miss., according to a news release. The project includes about 14,000 square feet of new construction and more than 21,000 square feet of renovation work to the existing space.

  • CSU Pueblo Installs Solar-Powered Charging Benches

    Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo) recently announced that it has installed four solar-powered charging benches from Bluebolt Outdoor, LLC, according to a news release.

  • Photo courtesy of Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc.

    West Melbourne School for Science Completes Expansion Project

    The West Melbourne School for Science, which serves students grades PreK–6 in West Melbourne, Fla., recently completed a 12,450-square-foot elementary school expansion, according to a news release.

Digital Edition