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Plans

Plans & Reports

In today's rapidly changing world, sustainability has emerged as a crucial element for ensuring the long-term health and prosperity of both our planet and society. As a university committed to responsible stewardship, we recognize the need to integrate sustainable practices into every aspect of our operations.


Our Sustainability Action Plan outlines the strategic initiatives, goals, and actions that will guide our efforts over the next three years. It reflects our dedication to minimizing environmental impact, promoting social responsibility, and ensuring economic viability. Our approach is grounded in the belief that sustainability is not just an environmental imperative but also a key driver of innovation, resilience, and long-term success.

Mission

Implement and advocate for sustainable solutions campus-wide to ensure that Seahawks of tomorrow can benefit from and enjoy what we have access to today.

We accomplish our work through meaningful partnerships and outreach that support our pillars of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and fiscal management.

Values

Responsible

We are responsible with the lives that have been entrusted to us by creating networks that encourage wellness, hands-on learning, and inclusivity.

Goals

Donate 500# fresh produce/year to Hawk’s Harvest by 2028

  • The first full harvest year for the Applied Learning Garden was completed in November of 2025. 
  • 549 pounds of produce was distributed through produce pop-ups at the Office of Sustainability to faculty, staff, students, and Campus Dining. 
  • Our primary harvest time falls in the summer when Hawk's Harvest has the slowest amount of foot traffic. Our winter crops will be harvested in Spring 2026 and will be given to Hawk's Harvest. 

Expand Seahawk Trail System by three new trails by 2028

  • Launched the Long Leaf Trail in Spring 2025.
  • New GIS Internship begins Spring 2026 and will focus on completion of the Ev-Henwood & Tree Trails.

Create Sustainability Data & Reporting Internship program by 2028

  • The Sustainability Data & Reporting internship begins Spring 2026.

Resilient

We aim to create a more resilient campus through sustainable development and conservative resource utilization.

Goals

Reduce consumption per square foot by 40% from FY03 levels by 2025

  • As of FY25, UNCW has successfully reduced energy consumption by 49%.
  • From FY03 - FY25, 3.2 million gross square feet has been added to campus. 

Double kWh of alternative energy production on campus by 2028 from 2024 levels

  • Beginning in 2026, a cost analysis and feasibility study for 250kWh system atop Randall Library will commence. 
  • UNCW's current 17kWh system atop the Shoreline Pavilion has generated 46.76 MWh of energy since its installation in 2023. 

Capture 1 million gallons of stormwater per each 1-inch rain event by 2028

  • Through the 319 partnership with City of Wilmington's Heal Our Waterways Program and the North Carolina Coastal Federation, another 2,400 sqft of pervious pavers were added to campus at Brooks Field. 
  • As of FY25, 663,430 gallons of stormwater are captured per every 1" rain event. 

Reduce potable water usage by square foot by 10% from FY03 baseline by 2028

  • As of FY25, UNCW has successfully reduced potable water usage by 53%.
  • From FY03 to FY25, 3.2 million gross square feet have been added to campus. 

Resourceful

We work to deliver effective solutions to challenges that focus on future needs while providing for the needs of today.

Goals

Increase student, staff, and faculty funding opportunities by 50% of 2024 levels by 2026.

  • In FY25, TGIF funding was doubled to $20,000. 
  • For the FY25 funding period, $9,201 was awarded to 5 different faculty and student projects.

Increase operating budget by 5% of FY24 levels by 2028

  • FY25 was the first year that our office received summer fees.
  • This funding addition increased our operating budget by 11.6%.
  • Six additional paid student worker positions were added to office operations. 

Increase recycling numbers by 5% of FY24 levels by 2028

  • FY24 recycling numbers were 474.1 tons of material.
  • FY25 recycling numbers were 571.5 tons of material for a 20.5% increase.

Increase participation in reusable take out program by 10% of FY24 levels by 2028

  • USEFULL reusable container program was launched in March 2025. 
  • At the end of FY24, there were 821 active users of the program. 
  • As of FY25, there are 1,940 active users for a 136% increase.

Reach

We are transparent in our reporting and work diligently through our outreach to create a culture of sustainability that can be carried forward with students, staff, and faculty throughout their lives.

Goals

Submit all sustainability reporting certifications yearly by 2028

  • Our Sustainability Data & Reporting internship begins Spring 2026 with a primary focus of building out data collection processes that can be utilized on a yearly basis.
  • Data Holders Lunch & Learn will happen February 2026 to engage our partners and stakeholders in the process and importance of sustainability reporting and establish best practices. 

Submit greenhouse gas reporting yearly by 2028

  • With the help of the Sustainability Data & Reporting Intern, Carbon GHG inventory process will begin Spring 2026.
  • Fall 2026 will be data entry and completion.
  • Working with Campus Dining to establish process for yearly Nitrogen tracking.

Increase outreach event attendance by 10% of FY24 levels by 2028

  • In FY24, 1,968 people attended a Sustainability event.
  • At the end of Fall semester of FY25, 991 people have attended our events.