SAVE: Sustainable Action | Visible Effects
Published in 2017, Pomona College's sustainability strategic plan, SAVE: Sustainable Action Visible Effects, serves as a roadmap for creating and managing a sustainable campus community. The plan outlines measurable strategies to achieve ambitious sustainability goals and reach carbon neutrality by 2030. SAVE aligns the efforts of the Board of Trustees, the President, the President's Advisory Committee on Sustainability and the broader Pomona community.
SAVE Annual Report
Progress on SAVE goals and initiatives is published each October in the SAVE Annual Report. See below for a snapshot of our key categories and visit our online, interactive SAVE Annual Report for highlights on programming and progress towards goals.
View the SAVE Annual Report.
Key Categories
Vision & Goals
Toggle through the dropdowns below to see each category's vision and goals. For full highlights on achievements and progress, view our online, interactive SAVE Annual Report. You can also request a PDF copy of SAVE by emailing sustainability@pomona.edu.
Climate Action
VISION
We aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
2030 GOALS
50% reduction in scope 1 (natural gas) GHG emissions and offset remaining emissions from the 2014 baseline.
50% reduction in scope 2 (electricity) GHG emissions and offset remaining emissions from the 2014 baseline.
Offset 100% of travel emissions through a carbon offset program with 75% participation from traveling faculty and staff.
Energy
VISION
Create an environment supported by clean energy, data analytics, and efficiently operating buildings without sacrificing comfort, reliability, or resilience.
2030 GOALS
40% reduction in electricity and natural gas usage from the 2014 baseline.
All facilities are submetered, including major loads, and are captured on an energy management platform.
Achieve a campus building energy use intensity (EUI) of 60 or less.
Invest in clean energy sources.
Water
VISION
Reduce our water footprint while supporting a vibrant, diverse, abundant campus ecosystem and creating a culture of water awareness and action.
2030 GOALS
60% reduction in normalized water use from the 2014 baseline.
50% of landscaping features drought-tolerant, native plantings.
100% of major buildings or systems are metered for real-time water use.
50% of outdoor space is permeable.
Waste
VISION
Reduce, reuse, and divert our waste to create a responsible, healthy, Zero Waste campus.
2030 GOALS
75% reduction in total waste sent to landfills from the 2014 baseline.
Five major campus events are zero waste (90+% diversion rate).
Achieve zero waste (90+% diversion rate).
90% documented diversion rate for demolition and construction waste.
Transportation
VISION
Support a clean environment and healthy community through accessible, low-emission transportation.
2030 GOALS
30% reduction in single occupancy vehicle commuting miles from the 2014 baseline.
Food
VISION
Increase sustainable food purchases to support a healthy community and minimize environmental impact.
2030 GOALS
75% of seafood purchases are sustainable.
10% of food purchases are organic.
30% of food purchases qualify as sustainable.
Buildings & Outdoor Venues
VISION
Construct, operate, and maintain efficient buildings and outdoor venues to create healthy spaces and minimize environmental impact.
2030 GOALS
45 buildings utilize an energy management platform.
90% of chemical cleaning products are sustainable.
100% of paper cleaning products are sustainable.
75% of cleaning equipment meets Pomona College's Sustainable Operations and Maintenance Standards.
100% of landscaped acres are landscaped organically.
Academic Education
VISION
Incorporate sustainability principles into campus curriculum and activities to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders and innovators.
2030 GOALS
50% of courses include a sustainability component.
100% of departments offer at least one course with a sustainability component.