Presentation at Massachusetts Sustainable Communities and Campuses Conference on March 17, 2017

1. Campus Sustainability
Debra Shepard, LEED AP
2017 MA Sustainable Communities & Campuses Conference
March 17, 2017
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2. About Riverstone Sustainability
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Riverstone Sustainability is a consulting
firm that helps organizations to
measure, manage, and report
sustainability impacts.
We partner with our clients to promote
sustainable change, balancing all three
elements of the triple bottom line:
environmental, social, and economic
performance.
We use a mix of technical and soft
skills to develop sustainability solutions
that fit each client’s unique mission,
operational constraints, and culture.
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3. Our Approach to Campus Sustainability
• Build a business case
• Align sustainability with core mission: Educate future leaders, and
serve as a model for society and center of innovation
• Market demand – 61% of college applicants value having
information about an institution’s environmental commitment
(Princeton Review)
• Competitive pressure - benchmark against peers
• Potential for cost savings and gains in efficiency
• Develop a strategy to integrate sustainability into:
• Operations
• Academics
• Community Engagement
• Measure and report progress
• Carbon Commitment, AASHE STARS, etc.
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4. Example:
Wentworth Institute of Technology
The Wentworth Creed (1904)
ECONOMY
“We seek to use our
resources wisely at all
times. We accept our
obligation to safeguard the
earth, its resources, its life,
and its energy for the
benefit of future
generations.”
“Ensuring the planet’s long-
term health will take
imagination, innovation, and
action. As our reach continues
to grow well beyond our walls
and national borders, I grow
ever-more confident that
Wentworth alumni around
the world can help answer
this challenge.”
WIT President, Zorica Pantic
2011
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5. Climate Action
39%
1%
3%
36%
4%
17%
GHG Emissions By Source
Stationary Combustion
Mobile
Fugitive
Electricity
Air Travel
Commute
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6. Green Buildings
The Apartments at 525 Huntington
The Apartments at 525 Huntington
• Brownfield site - fully remediated
• Groundwater recharge system
• Energy performance 25% better than code
• Water use savings 44% over baseline
• 84% of construction waste was recycled
• 30% of materials with recycled content
• 47% of materials regionally sourced
• 100% certified sustainable wood
• Low-emitting materials for indoor air quality
• 94% of regularly occupied spaces have access
to views
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7. Recycling & Project S.T.R.I.V.E.
• Supported Training to Reach
Independence through Vocational
Experiences
• 26+ year partnership between
Boston Public Schools and WIT
• Offers inclusive internships and
training to BPS students with
learning challenges
• Provides top-quality recycling and
facilities services for the WIT
community
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8. Green Commuting
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Drive 7%
MBTA
29%
Carpool
1%
Walk 62%
Bike 1%
93%
of WIT students
either live on campus
or commute using
sustainable
modes
Resources:
 MBTA subsidies
 Hubway bike-sharing station and
discount
 Zipcar discount
 300+ bike parking spaces on
campus
 Bicycle repair stations
 Free bike tune-up events
 Showers and changing facilities
 Commuter Assistants

9. Academics
• > 60 courses related to sustainability
• Undergraduate minor in sustainability (COF)
• Accelerate – Social Innovation Lab
• Blittersdorf Professorship in Sustainable Energy
• Co-ops at leading companies in cleantech
• EPIC Sustainability Projects
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10. Co-Curricular Education
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• Sustainability 101 orientation & RA training
• Friendly competitions and campaigns:
• Energy conservation
• Water
• Recycling
• Annual Earth Day celebration

11. RIVERSTONE SUSTAINABILITY
Social Media
• Great role for student interns!
• Provides dynamic content
• Helps to understand your audience
• Targeted campaigns by topic, season, etc.
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12. Carbon Commitment – Celebrating 10 Years of Climate Action
Princeton Review Guide to Top Green Colleges 2016
President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll (2015)
WENTWORTH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Building a Sustainable Tomorrow
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13. Thank You!
Debra Shepard, LEED AP
Principal / Owner
Riverstone Sustainability
dshepard@riverstonesustainability.com
www.riverstonesustainability.com
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