INDICATORS & MEASURES OF SUSTAINABILITY

Used with Permission of the Alberta Round Table, Report of the Alberta Round Table on the Environment and the Economy -- May, 1993.

Indicators of sustainability are changes we can observe in the world which we believe indicate progress toward increased sustainability. Very active research is under way to define measures of sustainable development. No definitive set of measures exists upon which everyone agrees. Many proposed measures will not apply to the operations of community colleges. Nevertheless, a review of some proposed indicators will help to highlight the need to link our activities to observable results. Maintaining the motivation and commitment of volunteers as well as line staff is much easier if their efforts can be clearly shown to make a positive difference in meaningful measures of sustainability.

Alberta Round Table: Indicators of Progress Toward Sustainable Development

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Listed below are some selections from the Alberta Round Table's list of Indicators of sustainability. In some cases, indicators have been slightly modified to make them more applicable to a community college context:

  • Air Quality Index - Reduced measurable pollutants in indoor work/study settings.
  • Reduced Production of Acid-Forming Emissions - Reduced SO2, NOx from all institutional operations (fleet cars, heating systems).
  • Reduced Purchase & Consumption of Ozone-depleting Substances - e.g. solvents, refrigerants, etc.
  • Reduced Emission of Greenhouse Gases - Reduce CO2, methane and emission of other gases linked to global warming from college property and plant operations.
  • Reduced Total Area of Contaminated Sites - Reduced area contaminated by college operations and/or waste discharges.
  • Percent of Campus in Parks and Playgrounds - Increase percentage of total campus landholdings allocated to green space usages.
  • Waste Per Capita Going to Landfills - Reduction of wastes per student or per college employee through reduced consumption at source, reuse, recycling and recovery.
  • Per Capita Water Consumption - Reduced per capita water consumption for all college operations.
  • Efficiency of Water Treatment - If a college treats any of its own liquid effluents, the improving the quality of these emuents enhances sustainability
  • Efficiency of Non-renewable Resource Recovery and Use - Strive to increase the efficiency of use of non-renewable resources (fossil fuels, gravel, precious metals, minerals).
  • Proportion of Energy from Fossil and Non-Fossil Fuel Sources - Reduce reliance on fossil energy sources (gas, oil, coal) and increase use of solar, geothermal, wind, biomass, and hydro-electric energy.
  • Per Capita Energy Consumption - Reduce total college per capita energy consumption from all sources.
  • Average Education Level Attained - Average level of education for all college staff and instructors; better educated staff tend to be more productive.
  • Job Satisfaction Index - High rates of job satisfaction are linked to high levels of productivity and creativity.
  • Volunteer Rate - Percentage of college staff and students involved in volunteer activities is a good measure of involvement (participation) and perceived responsibility for the well being of the college.
  • Percent of College Staff & Students Using Each Mode of Transportation - Reduce use of single vehicle transportation in favour of car pooling, mass transit.
  • Average Commuting Distance To Work - Reduced commuting distances indicate integration of living and working environments and less resources expended on transportation.
  • Per Capita Debt - The indebtedness of the colleges is one measure of their future economic sustainability.
  • Compliance With Environmental Regulations - Increase the number of regulations with which the college is in compliance and preferably exceed compliance standards.
  • Proportion of Sustainable Development Compatible Policies - College policies and regulations should be consistent with principles of sustainability and operate to reinforce them.
  • Staff/Student Perception of Information Accessibility - Increase accessibility of information pertaining to sustainable development.
  • Percent of Departments/Divisions Adopting Sustainable Development - Increase the number of college departments and divisions that have adopted sustainable development in strategic plans, mission statements, visions, etc.
  • Percent of Job Descriptions Including Sustainable Development - Job descriptions, especially for management positions, should indicate sustainable development as a routine responsibility.
  • Sustainable Development Literacy Level - Level of environmental and sustainable development literacy among managers, staff and instructors.
  • Frequency of Sustainable Development In Curriculum sustainable development concepts and processes in core curricula.
  • Percent of Purchases Based on Life-cycle Costs - Increase percent of products and services purchased on an ecologically sound basis.
  • Percent of Recyclable Materials Actually Recycled - Increase percent of waste stream from college which is recycled.
  • Number of People Involved in Recycling Initiatives - Increase the participation rate of staff and students in recycling/waste reduction activities.

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