Socially responsible investing (SRI) is investment that attempts to balance out the financial and social benefits of an investment strategy. As part of the University's overall commitment to sustainable action, SRI practices will be encouraged.
One of the strategies set forth in the 2010 Illinois Climate Action Plan under Purchasing, Waste, and Recycling theme was to develop a durable goods reuse cataloguing system. Such a system would allow an simple and clear process for reuse of durable goods. Properly carried out, this would reduce purchasing and waste at the University.
One measure that the University plans to take is to expand reuse of durable goods. Use could be expanded if the University were able to resell used goods to the public. Current state law does not allow the University to resell used goods to the public. Efforts to reverse this law and improvement of internal reuse programs should be implemented.
According to the 2010 iCAP, non-potable sources of water will utilized when appropriate, including connecting the existing raw water system by 2020. Such sources of non-potable water include untreated raw water, sump pump discharge, cooling tower wastewater, stormwater, and greywater. Before utilizing such sources, the University must conduct research to understand how non-potable water may be used within the constraints of the Illinois state laws.
The Facility Standards for campus do not permit bicycles to be brought into buildings. This is due to the impact on maintenance required for interior spaces when bicycles are brought into hallways, stairwells, and individual rooms. However, there is a need for sheltered bicycle parking during winter months.
The F&S Pilot program will inform future efforts for indoor bike parking for buildings on campus.
Developing a definition of sustainability education for our campus is a key step that will allow us to identify existing opportunities that educate our future leaders. In addition, it will provide insight for the creation of new opportunities.
Implement full-cost accounting and life-cycle analysis structures for major purchases and categories with a cost threshold to be determined
Construction of tile-drainage wetlands is a strategy the University would use to reduce carbon emissions. GHG emissions aren’t the only environmental contaminants on the South Farms. Extensive tile drainage on 3,609 acres of farmland delivers more than 100 metric tons of nitrate-N to the Embarras River and ultimately to the Gulf of Mexico, where it contributes to gulf hypoxia.
The University has an existing Raw Water System. The goal of this 2010 iCAP project is to connect the Raw Water System to a raw water source by 2020. This is another way to utilize non-potable water sources.
The campus will implement a freeze on new buildings and building additions once current planned projects are completed. Any new space must take an existing space of equal or greater size (or of equal or greater energy usage) out of commission. Furthermore, any building retrofit will be required to “do no harm”; that is, it should not increase the energy consumption of a building—if necessary by packaging together additional energy conservation and renewables as part of a project. New building projects will be net-zero or replace an existing building.
