Attaining a sustainable global environment requires rigorous reevaluation of our energy policies and practices, transformational leadership, creative technologies, and substantial changes in human behavior."
Sustainable improvement, rather than symbolic gestures are the focus of the Plan. In 2009, the university noted a one percent measurable decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by staff, faculty, and students. The operational means used to achieve this reduction were applying "alternative technologies and alternative fuel options to decrease emissions from the central power facility;" expanding "energy conservation through retrofits in existing buildings across campus;" designing "new construction and renovations to use 50% less energy than required by current energy code to at least a LEED Silver equivalency;" and finally including experience in leading-edge sustainable design as a criterion for the selection of architects (Sustainability Plan, 2008, Princeton University). Most radically Princeton has applied an internal voluntary so-called CO2 tax on all operations -- in other words, the cost to the environment, as well as the cost of the project will be added into the final calculation of different proposals, and the cheaper proposal will be rejected if the environmental damage is too great
People: Training and development
Rewards and recognition
The 2008 Sustainability Plan also sets goals for Princeton students and employees....
Students are expected to make sacrifices: the University has set a goal of decreasing use of cars amongst students by 10% by 2020. To make decreased use of cars more attractive, students would receive financial subsidies for use of
public transportation, and the campus shuttle system would be expanded to enable students to
travel off campus to nearby institutions such as
Rutgers University and other shopping and entertainment areas where cars are usually used. Ride shares, improved walking and biking trails and paths, bike storage and repair facilities and more restrictive controls over parking passes are all also part of the plan. For employees, telecommuting and video conference calling can be used when necessary. Finally, all retired campus fleet vehicles will be replaced with zero or low-emission vehicles.
Conclusion
Princeton University is clearly willing to incur financial expenses to reduce its
carbon footprint. It is also willing to take a
risk and force students to change their lifestyles. Not being able to bring a
car to campus in the future because of reduced parking facilities may be unpopular with some Princetonians, but the sincere commitment of the university combined with its other attractions (including research facilities that attempt to make discoveries that could reduce CO2 emissions worldwide) will hopefully draw ecologically-minded students to the campus in the future.
Reference
Sustainability Plan. (2008, February 18). Princeton University. Retrieved November 21, 2009 at http://www.princeton.edu/reports/sustainability-plan-20080219/
