Sustainability Master Plan 2025

FACILITIES

GOAL: Continue to develop sustainable facilities and incorporate efficient operating practices into new and existing facilities to model an environmentally conscious campus.​

 

 

STRATEGIES

Progress updates for year 1 are below.

Actions for each strategy have been identified and will be prioritized on an annual basis by the implementation team.

S1 Energy Reduction: Expand energy consumption reduction efforts to reduce annual energy consumption per square foot by 20% by 2035 compared to a 2024 baseline.

  • Energy consumption per square foot was down 3% in FY 2025, compared to the FY 2024 baseline.

3%
20%

S2 Energy Source: Procure renewable sources for 100% of annual electricity consumption and explore less carbon intensive options for natural gas consumption by 2030.

  • °Õ³ó±ðÌýSebree Solar II project will result in Elon receiving renewable energy credits (RECs) for 100% of annual electricity consumption. The project is expected to be operational before the end of 2026. FY 2028 will be the first full fiscal year with the project operational.
  • A proposal has been submitted to develop a decarbonization plan for campus and is pending funding approval.

S3 Landscape Management: Advance sustainable landscape management practices to minimize harmful impacts on humans and the environment and achieve a score of 3.5 for the STARS 3.0 Ecologically Managed Grounds credit.

  • The current score for the STARS 3.0 Ecologically Managed Grounds credit is 3.18.

3.18
3.5

S4 Water Reduction: Reduce annual potable water consumption per square foot by 15% by 2035 compared to a 2024 baseline.

  • Water consumption per square foot was down 5.5% in FY 2025, compared to the FY 2024 baseline.

5.5%
15%

S5 Construction: Continue to design, construct and renovate sustainable, high-performance facilities that achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification or higher if 8,000 or more square feet and follow the University’s Sustainability Design Standards if less than 8,000 square feet. (Note: Renovate refers to major renovations.)

  • The University’s Sustainability Design Standards are in the process of being updated.
  • LEED certification is being pursued for the Slattery Center, and it is expected to become Elon’s 35th LEED certified project.