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Committees and Task Forces |
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Emory currently has four University-wide committees addressing issues related to sustainability. These committees were formed to assist the University in establishing sustainability-related goals and policies and overseeing our progress towards these goals. Many projects on campus are underway as a result of these committees. Over time, the number of committees and their membership will grow as we further develop our sustainability initiatives.
Sustainability Advisory Committee
The Sustainability Advisory Committee is composed of faculty, students, and staff from a variety of schools and departments within the University. The Committee was formed in 2005 as an outgrowth of Emory's Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan identified sustainability as a core principle and priority for the University. The Committee was tasked with forming a Sustainability Vision for Emory with goals and recommended actions through 2015. The Sustainability Vision crafted by the Committee called for creation of the Office of Sustainability Initiatives. The Committee continues to meet regularly to provide feedback and guide the Office's work.
Sustainable Food Committee
The Sustainable Food Committee was appointed by President Wagner in early 2007 to develop recommendations for meeting the food-related goals contained in the University's Sustainability Vision. Specifically, the Committee was charged with developing steps to meet Emory's goal of procuring 75 percent of ingredients in our cafeterias and hospitals from local or sustainably-grown sources by 2015. The Committee was also tasked with working with farmers and distributors to bolster regional food supplies, developing a farmers market on campus, developing guidelines for sustainable food procurement, and expanding awareness of sustainability issues related to food.
Committee on the Environment
Created in 1990, the Committee on the Environment is a standing committee of the Emory University Senate. The Committee is comprised of faculty, staff, and students. The Committee works closely with Campus Services and meets monthly to review all projects undertaken by Emory that impact the environment, including new buildings, transportation initiatives, and forest management. In policy matters, COE early on promoted conservation and sustainable development and facilitated Emory's eventual adoption of Green Building standards, a No-Net-Loss-of-Forest-Canopy policy, a Water Conservation Policy, the Land Use plan that preserves natural areas from development, the Lullwater Management Plan, a Stormwater Management Plan, a Campus Environmental Office, and an Office of Sustainability Initiatives. The Committee on the Environment mission statement outlines the charge of the committee.
Drought Response Task Force
From 2007 to 2009, Georgia was in the midst of a historic drought, compounded by the fact that Atlanta is the largest municipality reliant on the smallest single watershed in the U.S. To do our part, Emory is committed to reducing its water consumption. Currently, Emory uses about 486 million gallons of water per year, and the Drought Response Task Force is tasked with developing strategies to reduce that usage over time and planning for worst-case emergency shortages. Emory's efforts to conserve water are discussed in more detail on our Water Conservation webpage.
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