Greening Campuses: Action-Based Sustainability Implementation

About This Course

Educational institutions are pivotal in driving sustainability, and campuses present a unique opportunity to foster change. This action-based course will provide you with the tools, frameworks, and strategies to implement sustainability initiatives across your campus. Whether you’re focused on energy, waste, water, or transportation, the course will guide you in turning your sustainability vision into measurable, impactful outcomes.

Through expert-led sessions, case studies, and hands-on projects, participants will learn how to assess campus sustainability, develop actionable plans, track progress, and engage students and staff in environmental responsibility. With the help of frameworks like STARS, ISO 14001, and LEED, you’ll gain the knowledge to implement sustainability initiatives that align with local, national, and international benchmarks.

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Aim

To equip educational institutions with the frameworks, tools, and case-driven strategies to effectively implement practical, measurable, and impactful sustainability initiatives across academic campuses.

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Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Translate sustainability vision into actionable implementation on campuses

• Foster behavior change and environmental responsibility among students and staff

• Support compliance with local, national, and international sustainability benchmarks

• Prepare campuses for climate emergencies and low-carbon operations

• Promote cross-departmental collaboration for sustainability governance

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Course Structure

Module 1: Advanced Sustainability Frameworks and Campus Assessment

• Sustainability Frameworks:

  • Deep dive into STARS, ISO 14001, and LEED standards

• Campus Sustainability Audits:

  • Tools and techniques for assessing sustainability using tools like EnergyPlus and OpenLCA

• Hands-On Activity:

  • Perform a campus sustainability audit and develop a baseline report to identify areas for improvement

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Module 2: Action-Based Sustainability Projects

• Energy Efficiency & Renewables:

  • Advanced strategies for energy-saving buildings and integrating renewable energy systems

• Waste and Circular Economy:

  • Developing zero-waste programs and conducting lifecycle assessments with OpenLCA

• Water Management & Green Infrastructure:

  • Implementing rainwater harvesting, water-efficient systems, and green campus designs

• Transportation Systems:

  • Creating sustainable mobility solutions, such as EV infrastructure and bike-sharing programs

• Hands-On Activity:

  • Develop an action plan for implementing sustainability initiatives in one area (energy, waste, water, or transport)

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Module 3: Monitoring, Engagement, and Long-Term Strategy

• Sustainability Monitoring:

  • Real-time data tracking using tools like Google Data Studio or custom dashboards

• Community Engagement:

  • Strategies for engaging students, staff, and faculty in campus sustainability efforts

• Impact Measurement & Reporting:

  • Using LCA, SBTi, and GRI to measure and report sustainability progress

• Scaling & Long-Term Strategy:

  • Transitioning pilot projects into long-term campus-wide sustainability goals

• Hands-On Activity:

  • Create a monitoring and reporting framework, including KPIs and real-time tracking

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Who Should Enrol?

• University and college administrators responsible for sustainability initiatives

• Campus sustainability coordinators and officers

• Faculty and student leaders of green clubs or sustainability-focused organizations

• Facilities and estate management teams

• Policy researchers in education and environmental sustainability