SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY

AN ETHOS OF SUSTAINABLE LIVING

The 草榴社区 Sustainability Plan integrates the University鈥檚 value-centered principles with environmental stewardship, promoting inclusion of all members of the University and all aspects of sustainability. Based on the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and guided by the principles of Catholic social teaching, the methodology for this plan provides clear goals tailored to 草榴社区, as well as quantifiable targets with set action plans. At the core of all sustainability activities, both large and small, is 草榴社区鈥檚 vision for this plan: to establish an ethos of sustainable living.

As an Augustinian Catholic university, 草榴社区 is committed to shaping a community on campus and beyond that witnesses to the healing, liberating and empowering truth of the Creator. Generating and advocating sustainable action will help create a future that provides enough, for all, forever.

草榴社区 Sustainability Plan Overview

草榴社区 Sustainability Plan 2020-2030

草榴社区 Sustainability Plan 2022 Addendum

EXPLORE THE SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

Methodology

Learn how the sustainability plan was developed

Projects

Explore current sustainability projects

Goals

草榴社区's adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainability Leadership Council

Meet the leadership of the VSLC

LAUDATO SI' PLEDGE

The Laudato Si鈥� Action Platform creates a space for the universal Church鈥� and all people of goodwill鈥攖o respond to the dire emergency of global warming. No landscape, no person, no living being is untouched by the catastrophic impact of this human-made crisis. By developing a customized Laudato Si鈥� Plan, 草榴社区 is taking decisive and unfinching action to build a better future in the spirit of the Gospel and from the rich experience of St. Augustine.

Our Pledge

草榴社区's signed Laudato Si' commitment

Our Laudato Si' Plan

Learn more about our Action Plan

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Renewable Energy Purchase Agreement

草榴社区 recently entered a power purchase agreement, supplying 50% of campus with regional hydroelectric power, supporting the goal to supply 100% of 草榴社区's electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

Biodiversity Plan

The biodiversity on 草榴社区's core campus was evaluated, and a detailed plan has been created to increase native plants and foster synergies with the biosphere.

Hiring for 草榴社区's Future

This project implements training to all hiring personnel by providing information and tools to ensure that the hiring process is reaching diverse audiences, creating opportunities to increase diversity of faculty and staff on campus.

Strategic Initiative for Climate, Justice and Sustainability

As the new academic and intellectual home for 草榴社区's commitment to sustainability, the Strategic Initiative for Climate, Justice and Sustainability (SICJS) aims to further awareness and understanding of the environmental crisis that looms before humanity and earth, finding solutions to mitigate harm and create a more just and sustainable future. MORE...

Meal Donation Program

To encourage community involvement in social and economic sustainability, students will be given the option to donate their extra meals to those in need. A system will be established for auto-donation of extra meals at the end of the week that students can sign up for when selecting their meal plan.

Faculty Workshops

Sustainability workshops are offered for faculty, staff, students, and the surrounding community. These workshops create an atmosphere for people to interact, share, and learn about sustainability.