Climate Change Scorecard Element 10:

Sustainable Operations

Leslie Brandt

Katie Newcomb

Lara Polansky

February 16, 2011

Scorecard Overview• Ensure a balanced approach to integrating climate change considerations into our programs and initiatives

• Each National Forest and Grassland will measure its progress over the next five years (FY 2010 – FY 2015) by:

• Answering “yes” or “no” to the 10 questions on an annual basis

• Providing a narrative describing: accomplishments, plans for next year, barriers to completion/improvement, and plans to overcome barriers.

•Scorecard responses will help the USFS:• Identify our current strengths• Identify areas for greater investment• Inform the Department, Congress, and the public about our

progress in responding to climate change

Scorecard Organization

Element 10: Sustainable Operations• Climate Change Strategic Framework (2008)

Goal 5 under the Forest Service Strategic Framework For Responding to Climate Change is “Sustainable Operations - Reduce the environmental footprint of Forest Service operations and be a leading example of a green organization.”

•Climate Change Roadmap (2010)• Ongoing actions: “Reducing the Forest Service’s environmental

footprint”•Executive Order 13514

•Part of our Mission

CampgroundWell

Office

It’s all connected…

Slide Credit: Sarah Baker, Environmental Engineer, R3 RO

6 Environmental Footprint Areas

• Energy• Water• Waste Reduction / Recycling• Fleet / Transportation• Green Purchasing• Sustainability Leadership

Getting to “YES”Option #1: Unit should demonstrate in the Scorecard narrative that it has made progress towards the defined Sustainable Operations requirements by answering the following questions:1. What actions has your Unit taken to make

progress towards the sustainable operations targets listed in the definitions for this element?

2. What reductions in resource use were achieved as a result of these actions?

3. What support does your Unit provide for Green Teams, sustainable operations training, recognition programs, and other activities that foster a culture of sustainable consumption?

Option #2: Unit may choose to complete the Sustainable Operations Checklist (Appendix G) annually.

• Each year, you must review action items (n = 66) and evaluate progress to date by filling out the Checklist.

• Answer “Yes” or “No” to each question in the Checklist, and total your “Yes” answers.

• By FY 2015, you must have completed 75% of all applicable items on the list.

EnergyExample Actions Tools

Has the initial Utility Bill Clean Up been completed and has your Unit identified the top energy-using facilities?

Utility Bill Clean Up Standard Operation Procedures:http://www.fs.fed.us/sustainableoperations/focus-area-energy.shtml#utility

Has your Unit implemented energy conservation measures on each “high energy” building?

Examples of energy conservation measures include retrofits such as upgrading lighting fixtures, replacing old HVAC systems, upgrading insulation, etc.

Forest Service Handbook - Sustainable Buildings Chapter:FSH – Chapter 70 Sustainable Buildings

Does your Unit host energy awareness activities annually and share energy savings progress and opportunities with employees?

Energy Efficiency Tips Documents:http://www.fs.fed.us/sustainableoperations/documents/Top10%20FreeThingsYouCanDoToReduceEnergyCosts.pdf http://www.fs.fed.us/sustainableoperations/documents/TopTenCheapThingsYouCanDoToReduceEnergyCosts.pdfDoes at least 10% of the total energy

consumed on your Unit come from on-site renewable sources?

WaterExample Actions Tools

Has your Unit installed two water-saving technologies in at least 75% of all buildings?

Examples of water-saving technologies include low flow showerheads, automatic shut-off switches on outdoor hoses, aerators on faucets, etc.

Water Conservation Habits:http://www.fs.fed.us/sustainableoperations/documents/WaterConservationHabits.rtf

Have you performed leak detection on all water consuming facilities on your Unit?Does your Unit use environmentally-friendly landscaping around most offices?

Environmentally-friendly landscaping can include native plants, xeriscaping (drought-resistant), rain gardens, etc.

EPA Environmentally Friendly Landscaping Document:http://www.epa.gov/greenkit/landscap.htm

Fleet and TransportationExample Actions Tools

Does your Unit regularly share eco-driving tips with all employees, including volunteers, seasonal and new employees?

Eco Driving Tips:http://www.fs.fed.us/sustainableoperations/documents/TheEcoDriversManual.pdf

Does your Unit offer financial incentives to encourage use of alternative commuting methods?

Financial incentives include: transit and bike subsidy programs and carpool/vanpool options.

Forest Service Transit and Bike Subsidy Program Website:http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/aqm/property/commuter-transit/

Has your unit purchased alternative fuel vehicles and placed them in locations that best maximize alternative fuel use?

Definition: alternative fuel vehicles examples: E85 compatible, CNG, LPG, bio-diesel, and plug-in electric vehicles Lenise Lago

Deputy Chief, Business Ops

Waste Prevention and RecyclingExample Actions Tools

Does your Unit regularly recycle at least three different materials (e.g., paper, plastic, aluminum, tin, glass, cardboard)?

Has your Unit completed a waste stream analysis on at least one facility this year?

Does your Unit recycle most electronic waste?

Link to Lighten Your Load Video:http://www.fs.fed.us/sustainableoperations/media#youtube

Does your Unit provide recycling for rechargeable and alkaline batteries?

Memorandum of Agreement to Recycle Rechargeable Batteries:http://www.fs.fed.us/sustainableoperations/documents/MOUAgreementwiththeRBRCFAQ.rtf

Example Battery Recycling Service:http://www.biggreenbox.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=2

Green PurchasingExample Actions Tools

Has your Unit identified and started purchasing at least three green products that replace products purchased in the past?

EPA Environmentally Preferable Purchases (EPP): http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp/index.htm

OFFE Green Products Compilation: http://www.fedcenter.gov/Documents/index.cfm?id=11767&pge_prg_id=26960

USDA Biopreferred Product Compilation:http://www.dm.usda.gov/procurement/programs/biopreferred.htm

Have all employees identified by the Unit as purchasers completed green purchasing training?

Western Collective-sponsored green purchasing training —periodically offer webinars

FedCenter Buy Green:http://www.fedcenter.gov/programs/buygreen/

USDA Charge Card Center Purchase Card:http://www.dm.usda.gov/procurement/ccsc/pc_policy_regs.htm

Does your Unit purchase bio-based materials whenever possible?

USDA BioPreferred Program:http://www.dm.usda.gov/procurement/programs/biopreferred.htm

Does your Unit include sustainable operations requirements in acquisition orders and contracts whenever possible?

USDA Special Procurement Programs:http://www.dm.usda.gov/procurement/programs/biobased/procurementtools.htm

Sustainability LeadershipExample Actions Tools

Does your Unit have a cross-discipline green team that meets at least quarterly?

Green Team Toolkit:http://www.fs.fed.us/sustainableoperations/greenteam-toolkit/how-to-start.shtml

Do employees on your Unit participate in community sustainability projects?

Examples of sustainability projects: start-up recycling effort, community education effort, sustainability fair, etc.Do 10% or more of permanent employees on your Unit annually participate in sustainable operations related training or professional development? Has your Unit computed the greenhouse gas emissions associated with one Unit leadership team meeting and used this information to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for subsequent meetings?

Example Meeting Calculation:http://www.fs.fed.us/sustainableoperations/susops-summit-2009/2009-summit-carbon-footprint-report.docx

Questions?