One-for-One Tree Policy:

For every tree on campus that is removed for construction and/or maintenance, another one is planted in its place.

Single Use Plastic Phase Out Plan:

In March 2024, SUNY released its single use plastic elimination policy. The policy covers the phased elimination of 7 of the most common types of single use plastics: bags, beverage bottles, food service products, stirrers. straws, and spill plugs, utensils, and wraps and packaging film. Each type of plastic product has its own elimination deadline. You can read about each specific deadline on  the SUNY website.

Executive Order 22: Leading By Example: Directing State Agencies to Adopt a Sustainability and Decarbonization Program

  1. GreenNY Council

    1. This council is the primary group responsible for implementing EO22.
    2. The council is comprised of the Director of the Division of the Budget (DOB); the Commissioners of the following offices: Office of General Services, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Department of Health, Department of Economic Development, Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation; the Presidents of the following entities: Environmental Facilities Corporation, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the Dormitory Authority of New York State (DASNY); and the Chief Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

  2. Training, Staff, and Support

    1. Entities affected by this EO have 30 days to assign an employee as Sustainability Coordinator whose role is to work towards EO compliance
    2. The Council’s role is to create training programs for Sustainability Coordinators and Affected Entity staff

  3. Reporting

    1. The council develops an annual survey distributed to each entity where they track:
    2. Progress made towards achieving each target and goal
    3. Effectiveness and usage of green procurement specifications
    4. Efforts taken by each entity towards environmental justice
    5. Specific sustainability projects and their effectiveness in reaching the EO’s established goals
    6. Affected Entities must update the council on their sustainability progress every year
    7. NYPA provides the entities with access to the New York Energy Manager System (NYEM), where the entities input their data
    8. After this information is collected from the Affected Entities, the council prepares a report and submits it to the Governor

  4. Exemptions

    1. Exemptions to specific targets/goals may be requested by the Affected Entities and are granted by the Council co-chairs

  5. Buying and Operating Green

    1. Sustainable procurement specifications will be developed by the Council–specifications listed in Executive Order 4 remain in effect
    2. Development of procurement specifications and operational directives follow factors ranging from protection of public health and disadvantaged communities, to water conservation, to cost. The full list of 14 factors can be found here under VI.B
    3. GreenNY procurement specifications should be followed where appropriate.
    4. To increase awareness of GreenNY procurement specifications, minority and women owned business enterprises (MWBE) and service-disabled veteran owned businesses should be considered.
    5. To fulfill target and goal compliance, the Council will develop a sustainable purchasing baseline.

  6. Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

    1. By 2030, 100% of electricity used by Affected Entities must come from systems eligible under the CES
    2. Starting on January 1st, 2024, all new construction infrastructure and equipment that uses fossil fuels should be avoided. Diesel-fueled backup emergency equipment should be avoided. Electric generating facilities owned by the state or Affected Entities should not be affected. Goal progress will be monitored by the Council.
    3. By 2025, Affected Entities should achieve 11 trillion BTUs of energy savings
      1. Affected Entities should work with NYPA (New York Power Authority) and consult the BuildSmart 2025 program guidelines for planning and program and project development
      2. Before 2025, the Council will create a 2030 energy savings goal based on progress made towards the 2025 goal and additional energy savings that will be aligned with the State’s Scoping Plan in accordance with the Climate Act.
    4. Operational Directives will be issued by the Council to reduce the amount of embodied carbon in construction materials. Starting January 1, 2023, the following actions must be taken to reduce the amount of embodied carbon in a new construction project that consists of “adaptive reuse or significant renovations that cost greater than 50% of the cost of new construction”:
      1. Total embodied carbon (including shipping, transportation, and equipment) for a project must be calculated
      2. Bidders for projects must submit environmental product declarations that include the amount of embodied carbon in building materials
    5. 100% of light-duty and non-emergency vehicle fleets must be Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) by 2035, 100% of medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fleets must be ZEVs by 2040. Light-duty plans must be submitted within 1 year of this Order’s issuance, and medium- and heavy-duty plans must be submitted within 3 years.
      1. Vehicle fleet decarbonization plans for light, medium, and heavy duty fleets must be submitted to the Council. The plans must include:
        1. A purchasing plan with targets and goals for fleet decarbonization
        2. A decarbonization staff training plan
      2. Affected Entities must submit updates every three years on fleet decarbonization progress
      3. Battery electric vehicles and hydrogen cell vehicles must be prioritized by Affected Entities where practicable. The Council must authorize the purchase of plug-in hybrid vehicles.
      4. ZEV technology should be tested annually for implementation on Affected Entity’s emergency vehicle fleet
      5. Charging infrastructure must be developed with OGS guidance
      6. Employee access and use of ZEV charging infrastructure must be encouraged
      7. Affected Entities should work with NYPA and NYSERDA to evaluate distributed energy resources and energy storage.

  7. Reducing Waste

    1. A decrease in waste disposal from baseline of Fiscal Year 2018-2019 of 10% every five years; goal is a decrease of 75%.
    2. Waste is to be broken down into the following categories: landfill material, recycled material, compostable and other organic material, and special waste material.
    3. Waste diversion plans must include scheduled waste audits, organic waste diversion plans, single use plastic elimination, and dual-stream recycling consideration.
    4. Affected Entities are expected to create a waste diversion plan using a template created by the Council
    5. The council will reassess waste diversion goals every five years.

  8. Reducing Use of Toxic Substances

    1. Entities must work towards pollution prevention by reducing their use of toxic substances.

  9. Low Impact Development

    1. When developing land like parking lots and landscaping, green infrastructure projects should be incorporated to reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality

  10. Promoting Biodiversity and Habitat Protection

    1. Affected Entities should support biodiversity, protect threatened and endangered species, and increase natural carbon storage and climate resilience by prioritizing the planting of native plant species. Land management should not adversely affect endangered species. The DEC will provide necessary technological tools and assistance to identify endangered species locations.
    2. The council will create a template for eradicating invasive species, and integrated pest management should be prioritized for pest eradication.
    3. The NYS Pollinator Plan should also be used as a resource when creating new landscape or habitat projects

  11. Disadvantaged Communities

    1. Each entity must reduce their operational impact on disadvantaged communities.
    2. The Council will catalog all state-owned facilities located in disadvantaged communities. These facilities should be prioritized for environmentally efficient upgrades.

  12. Innovative Solutions

    1. New technologies and solutions will always be evaluated to assist the entities in progressing their sustainability goals

  13. Repeal of Prior Executive Orders

    1. Executive Orders 4, 18, 88, and 166 have been revoked and are superseded by EO22

More details on EO22 can be found on New York State’s website.