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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#SDGAction38651
Description
Description
A promise to take action now or in the futureSustainability has always been a priority for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In 2008, the campus formalized its dedication to sustainability by signing on to the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). Illinois also established the Sustainability Council and the Office of Sustainability to oversee sustainability related initiatives on the campus. The Council, chaired by the Chancellor, determines strategic priorities for the campus. The Office of Sustainability operationalizes these priorities. Through these two entities, lllinois has set its goal to become locally relevant and globally preeminent by transforming the campus into a living-learning laboratory for sustainability, while simultaneously helping societies around the world meet the challenges associated with a sustainable future. The scope of sustainability related activities encompasses all facets of the University’s mission: learning, discovery, and engagement. In 2010, the University developed a formal climate action plan, called iCAP, or the Illinois Climate Action Plan, which provides a roadmap to a more sustainable campus.A commitment to transparency through annual reporting on progressThe Office of Sustainability prepares a progress report each semester, which is available on-line through the office website. The university also reports annually on sustainability efforts to the state of Illinois through its Green Government Coordinating Council. In addition, the university submits regular reports to the ACUPCC, including updated greenhouse gas emissions inventories every other year and progress reports on campus actions on the alternate year. The Office of Sustainability will also develop a portal for sharing up-to-date information on progress toward the many goals associated with the iCAP.A description of time-bound targets/goals that can be measured for successThe Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) has set ambitious goals to make the campus more sustainable. These include goals for reducing energy and water use, reaching carbon neutrality, building greener buildings, and infusing sustainability into academic curriculum and campus culture.
Implementation of the Project/Activity

Our campus is on target to meet and even exceed the major goals included in iCAP. - Reduce energy consumption: 20% by 2015 - Reduce energy emissions: 15% by 2015 - Conserve water: 20% by 2015 - Divert waste: increase to 75% by 2020 - Set green standards for new buildings: LEED Platinum by 2015 - Achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 - Integrate sustainability into the campus culture by celebrating Earth Week during spring and Sustainability Week during fall - Organize an annual teaching workshop for faculty and instructors on how to infuse sustainability into the curriculumAchieving these goals requires action by numerous units on campus and close collaboration with local government and community organizations. The Office of Sustainability is a campus-level entity responsible for operationalizing the key sustainability priorities of campus. Some of its key partners in the effort include the Sustainability Council, which determines strategic priorities for campus, and Facilities & Services, which has a sustainability coordinator and manages the entire campus operations system. The Office of Sustainability also works closely with the Student Sustainability Committee, University Housing, Campus Recreation and the Champaign County Sustainability Network (CCNet), a campus-community partnership for sustainability.

Partners
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Goal 4

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Goal 4

4.1

By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes

4.1.1

Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex

4.1.2

Completion rate (primary education, lower secondary education, upper secondary education)

4.2

By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education

4.2.1

Proportion of children aged 24–59 months who are developmentally on track in health, learning and psychosocial well-being, by sex

4.2.2

Participation rate in organized learning (one year before the official primary entry age), by sex

4.3

By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university

4.3.1

Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months, by sex

4.4

By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

4.4.1

Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill

4.5

By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
4.5.1

Parity indices (female/male, rural/urban, bottom/top wealth quintile and others such as disability status, indigenous peoples and conflict-affected, as data become available) for all education indicators on this list that can be disaggregated

4.6

By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy

4.6.1

Proportion of population in a given age group achieving at least a fixed level of proficiency in functional (a) literacy and (b) numeracy skills, by sex

4.7

By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development

4.7.1

Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education and (d) student assessment

4.a

Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all

4.a.1

Proportion of schools offering basic services, by type of service

4.b

By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and African countries, for enrolment in higher education, including vocational training and information and communications technology, technical, engineering and scientific programmes, in developed countries and other developing countries
4.b.1

Volume of official development assistance flows for scholarships by sector and type of study

4.c

By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing States

4.c.1

Proportion of teachers with the minimum required qualifications, by education level

Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP)
Staff / Technical expertise
Expertise of student and staff dedicated to sustainable practices
No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
False
Action Network
Higher Education Sustainability Initiative
This initiative does not yet fulfil the SMART criteria.
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Timeline
01 January 2012 (start date)
01 January 2015 (date of completion)
Entity
University of Illinois
SDGs
4
Geographical coverage
Champaign, United States (The)
More information
Countries
United States of America
United States of America
Contact Information

Phyllis M. Wise, Vice President and Chancellor

chancellor@illinois.edu