2006 - Office of Sustainability Initiatives
In the wake of the "Sustainability Vision for Emory" report and its subsequent adoption by the university, Emory formed the Office of Sustainability Initiatives (OSI), appointed to oversee sustainability issues across Emory. Its first director, Ciannat Howett, was appointed in 2006.
- OSI - ResourcesA collection of many links and documents (both historical and contemporary) on sustainability at Emory.
- Office of Sustainability Initiatives HomepageThe homepage for the OSI
- OSI - History & AwardsA list of some major events in Emory's sustainability history along with awards for sustainability Emory has received over the years
- (2017) Institutionalization of Change: A History of Emory University’s Office of Sustainability InitiativesPaper by Kristen Kaufman on the history of the OSI.
2007 - Emory as Place Initiative
One can live in a place as a visitor or one can choose to become an inhabitant - Gary Snyder
Initially founded in 2004, the Emory as Place Initiative was developed into a full-fledged program in 2007. It was formed by Anthropology Professor Peggy Barlett, who wanted to encourage Emory faculty and students to think about sustainability specifically at Emory. According to Barlett, the initiative emphasized "Experience-based approaches" which "Offer campus walks, practices of observation, stilling, meditation, hikes and campouts (connecting Emory to the region)" (1).
Youtube has a video example of one of these walks, from 2009:
- (2002) The Emory University Walking Tour: Awakening a Sense of PlaceAn article by Anthropology Professor Peggy Barlett detailing one of the earliest versions of the tour and its origins.
- (2008) Emory as Place's Lullwater WalkA guide for a walk through Lullwater, part of the Emory as Place Initiative
2006-2020 - Initiatives and Programs
[Photo of the spring house in Houston Mill Forest in 2013. Photo courtesy of B&E Roberts]
OSI
- OSI - News & PressBrief articles and press releases on sustainability-related matters at Emory. Has an archive dating back to September 2016.
Since its inception, the OSI has overseen numerous initiatives and programs meant to ensure sustainability is a priority in every part of the Emory community. These include:
- (2007) Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and CalculationOne of the OSI's earliest initiatives was to assess Emory's overall greenhouse gas emissions so as to make specific, targeted recommendations. This was also part of the push to participate in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education's (AASHE) and Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, & Rating System (STARS) programs.
- (2007) Spring House Restoration ProjectThe OSI sponsored a cleanup of a "spring house" in Houston Mill Forest, a structure cooled naturally by a spring and used for the storage of perishables.
- (2007) Sustinability at Emory FlyerAn early flyer outlining some of the sustainability goals of the OSI along with sustainability tips and basics.
- (2008) Sustainability Guidelines for Food Service PurchasingOutlines Emory's commitment to sustainability in food sourcing. Revised in 2011, 2013, and 2016
- (2011) Emory Climate Action PlanAddresses Emory's greenhouse gas emissions, detailing goals to reach by 2020, 2036, and 2050. These goals are to be attained through a comprehensive approach to reduction, addressing gas emissions everywhere from construction to food vendors to education.
- (2011) Eating SustainablyOutlines sustainability and sustainable food
- (2014) Pollinator Protection PlanSpecifies that Emory is committed to landscaping that is pollinator-friendly.
- (2014) Oxford Organic FarmIn 2011, an alumnus gifted Emory 11 acres near Oxford College. It was decided that the land was to be used as an organic farm, providing both produce and educational opportunities for the Emory community. The farm began operating in 2014.
- (2015) WaterHubThe WaterHub at Emory is a water recycling system originally installed in 2015. It is solar-powered and processes 400,000 gallons a day.
- (2017) Zero Landfill WasteBy 2025, Emory aims to divert 95% of its waste from municipal landfills. To achieve this, the university outlined a Zero Landfill Waste plan, emphasizing recycling and compost.
Facilities Management
- TreeKeeperAs part of Emory's Forest Management Plan, Facilities Management maintains a directory of every tree on campus along with their location and health.
Committee on the Environment (COE)
- (2010) Forest Management PlanAn updated (2011) version of the plan
- (2010) "A vision for Emory forests: Preserving and managing Emory’s woodlands at heart of new plan"A 2010 Emory Report article by Margie Fishman on the newly-introduced Forest Management Plan
- (2016) Sustainability Vision and Strategic PlanSustainability had been integrated into the 2005-2015 master plan, but after that new goals and a new vision were needed. This document outlines Emory's sustainability goals through 2025.
Emory Dining
- (2008) Sustainability Guidelines for Food Service PurchasingClarifies what is meant by "sustainable" and "local" food, and outlines food buying priorities.
Emory's Sustainability Vision History
- Emory Sustainability Vision & Strategic Plan3rd edition. February 2020. Added climate action goals.
- Emory Sustainability Vision & Strategic Plan2nd edition. May 2016.
- Sustainabillity Vision for Emory1st edition. August 2006.
Please check the OSI for any updates. The purpose of this guide is to archive historic documents.