Sustainability Strategic Plan
Why Is a Sustainability Strategic Plan Needed?
Universities play significant roles in their communities and serve as leaders on key issues. A focus on sustainability for a university is important not only for reducing the institution’s impact on the planet but also for reducing operating costs, supporting the local economy, providing a healthy environment for students, staff, and faculty, and educating and inspiring future leaders.
A university sustainability plan serves as a roadmap that outlines a university’s sustainability goals and how it will achieve them. The UNM Sustainability Strategic Plan identifies actions that will reduce the institution’s impact on the environment, are financially sustainable, and reflect best practices in key areas such as energy use, water use, and waste management.
Baseline Data
Participants in the strategic planning process referred to baseline data contained in UNM’s first-ever Sustainability, Assessment and Rating System Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS®) submission—a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. Another important reference document was the UNM Greenhouse Gas Inventory, which covers Scope 1 and 2 emissions from Fiscal Year 2006 through Fiscal Year 2024.
Implementation
Transform Campus Operations:
- UNM to receive $9.6 million for Grid Modernization to advance campus electrification, strengthen energy resilience
- Students lead UNM effort to recover food, reduce waste and support basic needs
- UNM recognized for second consecutive year by Arbor Day Foundation ahead of annual celebration
- UNM Utility Services earns fourth Water Efficiency Award
- UNM launches bike valet to enhance sustainable transportation
Build Sustainability Engagement and Culture
Sustainability Strategic Plan Process
The UNM Office of Sustainability launched a strategic planning effort in Fall 2024 that gathered feedback from the campus community through interviews, focus groups, a campus-wide survey, and town halls. The work was guided by an Executive Steering Committee and also included extensive research, identification of best practices, establishing baseline metrics, and input from experts. It culminated in the October 2025 release of the UNM Sustainability Strategic Plan.
Preparation Phase
April 2024 – October 2024
Quantitative data collection, hiring of a consultant and graduate research assistants, completing UNM's first Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) application, and completing a Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
Phase 1
October 2024 – February 2025
Qualitative data collection through interviews and focus groups, identifying five to seven campus priority areas, and convening a Steering Committee.
Phase 2
February 2025 – May 2025
Distribute a community survey, review findings with the Steering Committee, and draft the Sustainability Strategic Plan.
Phase 3
May 2025 – August 2025
Prioritize key actions, refine the draft plan, and gather feedback from the Steering Committee and the campus community.
Phase 4
August 2025 – October 2025
Edit, design, vet, approve, and release the UNM Sustainability Strategic Plan.
