OHIO launches public feedback forums for Sustainability and Climate Action Plan revisions

Ohio University has launched online public forums to elicit feedback for revisions drafted for its 2021 Sustainability & Climate Action Plan.

Led by the Office of Sustainability, OHIO has collaborated across the institution to combine two previous plans, the Ohio University Sustainability Plan and the Ohio University Climate Action Plan, into a single plan with new goals, metrics and strategies. The public is encouraged to review the revised plan’s 16 sections online and to leave comments utilizing the links provided.

Using feedback gathered in internal review meetings with faculty, staff and students, the University has proposed a revised structure of the Sustainability & Climate Action Plan that follows the organizational changes implemented in January 2019 with the introduction of the Sustainable Infrastructure, Sustainable Living and Sustainable Administration Hubs.

The Hubs focus on the sustainability categories of Buildings, Energy, Waste and Water (Infrastructure); Student Life, Transportation, Food and Grounds (Living); and Climate, Procurement, Investments and Human Resources (Administration). The revised plan is divided into these 12 categories along with four overarching core elements: Curriculum, Engagement, Research and Administration.

Ohio University’s Sustainability Hubs are led individually by faculty coordinators and report to the OHIO Sustainability Committee co-chaired by the Executive Vice President and Provost, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Vice President for Student Affairs. The 2021 Sustainability & Climate Action Plan is designed to support Hub objectives to strive for engagement, collaboration, and communication to be promoted across all University locations: Athens, regional campuses, and off-campus centers. 

“The Sustainability Hubs help to engage staff, faculty, students and community members with our Sustainability & Climate Action Plan goals by supporting initiatives that further our institutional commitment to environmental, social and economic well-being,” said OHIO Associate Director of Sustainability Sam Crowl.

The Office of Sustainability and Sustainability Committee would appreciate receiving comments on all of the 16 section drafts, although members of the public are welcome to comment on individual sections. Additional information is provided online.

Questions about the plan revisions can be directed to sustainability@ohio.edu.

For additional information regarding OHIO’s sustainability efforts, please visit: https://www.ohio.edu/sustainability.