One of the most effective structures for implementing a green and sustainable campus is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program established by the US Green Building Council.  The certification process for existing buildings provides a list of projects and standards.  The University could establish a goal to develop a plan on how it could achieve a LEED certified existing building leading to a goal to achieve it.  The LEED Project Checklist is composed of prerequisites and creditable items in the major categories of building siting, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in operation, upgrades, and maintenance. 

This structured approach can help to integrate the efforts of the four aspects of the campus community (administration, academic, research, and local community) toward a common goal.  It can help form the basis of planning and organizing efforts to accomplish a sustainable campus.  Individual and disconnected on-going initiatives can be brought in under the overall green development umbrella.  See "Taking Action - What Can Be Done."

 
 

Every good and worthy endeavor will run into obstacles in spite of its apparently good and worthy potential outcome.  Otherwise, we would already be doing it.  It is important to understand why it is not already being done.  An understanding of the obstacles to attaining a sustainable campus is critical to a successful planning and implementation process.  The following list, although certainly not complete, shows the most significant issues that will be faced in terms of implementing a sustainable campus.  It also provides a process for how these obstacles can be overcome. 

1. Understanding the significance and urgency of sustainable development
The first and most challenging obstacle is communicating to the organization the need.  Universities like most organizations with a large mission and limited resources work on priorities.  Regardless of how beneficent the endeavor, it will not be resourced unless there is an organizational demand for it.  The more in demand it is, the higher the priority it will have for the organization’s attention.  In the beginning, the organization’s attention (interest, concern, and knowledge of the issue) is more important than money.  Based on initial surveys and discussions with people in various departments on campus there is an underlying interest in the subject of sustainability and developing a green campus.  What is needed at first is a common vocabulary and understanding of the “why” and the “how” of a sustainable campus.  This must occur at all levels of the organization. 

2. Availability of information resources
Information on this topic is not easy to find in one place.  Many people know a little bit about different aspects of the problem but are not often able to see the big picture.  Unfortunately, myths also abound and complicate the task of informed decision making. 

3. Cost of consumption virtually invisible
Very few organizations widely publish the cost of utility resources.  In most cases only a select few administration officials are aware of the amount of money spent on energy, water, and waste management.  This contributes to the ambivalence toward energy, water, and other utility consumption.  Even most department heads are not aware of the utility cost of their operations. 

4. Perceived insignificance of the individuals role
One of the problems with getting people involved in a conservation program is the perception that what one person can do is very little and therefore the effort is not worth the trouble.  The problem is compounded by the fact that it is basically true!  However, when viewed from the perspective of a total organizational effort, all these little bits of effort can add up to tens of thousands of dollars for the organization.  Also, there are many practical tips that people are not aware of. 

5. Actions devoted to conservation perceived as more cost than benefit
This is another area where myths abound.  This is also reinforced by the lack of consumption cost information.  Most people are not aware of the significance and impact of conservation efforts whether embodied in retrofit projects, training, education, or individual actions to control energy consumption in their own environment.  They are also unaware of the embedded energy related to the choices they make. 

6. Conservation perceived as doing without
To many people conservation means being cold in winter, hot in summer, and dimly lit working areas.  Some prefer the term energy “management” to energy “conservation” because it more nearly gives the sense of optimization.  Energy management focuses on eliminating energy waste and optimizing the use of energy when it is needed.  There is a lot that can be saved just by eliminating waste before we get to reducing the level of service.  The green approach allows for improved working and learning spaces while reducing the cost of utility resources significantly.