Chapter Sustainability Tracker

SSAFE Cross-Chapter Sustainability Activity Chart Definitions

 This document provides a key to the SSAFE Cross-Chapter Sustainability Activity Chart and a set of definitions covering each activity label on that chart.

Key:

✔️ A check mark on the chart indicates that the community is engaging or already has engaged in a specific activity.

IP indicates that the activity is in progress or has a plan for the activity with a timeframe established.

DC indicates that the activity has been discontinued.

An empty cell indicates that the campus does not engage in the activity and has no planned activity.

1, 2, and/or 3 indicates levels such as the level of EV chargers, or the level of an arboretum.

DEFINITIONS (in the order they are listed in the chart)

 Campus Sustainability Plan:
A campus sustainability plan is a strategic framework, supported by the organization’s management, that guides efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, minimize environmental impact, promote social responsibility, and ensure long-term financial viability through specific goals, actions, and timelines that address areas like energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, sustainable sourcing, and community engagement, with regular tracking of progress and adjustments as needed.

Campus Net Zero Plan:
A campus net zero plan describes how a campus will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and operational improvements, while offsetting any remaining emissions through verified carbon offset projects or renewable energy credits (RECs). The plan may focus on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, but ideally it would also include Scope 3 emissions to fully account for the campus’s carbon footprint.

Sustainability Fund:
A sustainability fund is a dedicated fund to support sustainability initiatives. This could include a donation-based fund for projects such as energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy installations, or waste reduction programs.

Battery Storage:
Battery storage refers to the use of batteries to store energy for later use, helping to balance supply and demand in the power grid.

Carbon Footprint Calculation (2):
A carbon footprint calculation measures the total greenhouse gas emissions, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), produced by a community’s operations. At a minimum, it includes Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, calculated using location-based emission factors. Communities are encouraged to utilize Portfolio Manager for benchmarking and tracking.

Energy / Greenhouse Gas Audit:
An Energy/Greenhouse Gas Emissions Audit is a systematic assessment of a community’s energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions, as well as emissions from refrigerants and biogenic emissions from on-site composting. It includes Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, and optionally Scope 3 emissions. The audit identifies sources of energy consumption and emissions, evaluates efficiency, and recommends strategies for reducing energy use and lowering carbon emissions.

Energy Monitoring:
Energy monitoring is the process of tracking and analyzing energy consumption in real time or over a specific period,  using sensors and software to measure energy usage across systems or devices. Also consider the requirements of the LEED Advanced Energy Metering credit: Advanced Energy Metering | U.S. Green Building Council (usgbc.org).]

EV Campus Fleet:
An EV campus fleet is a collection of electric vehicles used for transportation, maintenance, and operational purposes. Check this box if your campus has two or more EVs used by staff.

EV Chargers:
An EV charger is a device that supplies electric energy to charge the batteries of electric vehicles. It must provide at least Level 2 charging and be ENERGY STAR certified. If your community allows Level 1 charging in garages or carports, please list “1” in the box. Likewise if your community has Level 2 or Level 3 EV charging available, list “2” or “3” in the box. List multiple numbers as appropriate, e.g. “1,2,3”)

Onsite Solar: 
An onsite photovoltaic (PV) system is a solar power system installed at the location where the electricity will be used, converting sunlight directly into electricity through photovoltaic cells, with a minimum rated power of [TBD] kW.”

Outdated Lighting Replacement:
An outdated lighting replacement project replaces existing outdated lighting such as incandescent and fluorescent bulbs or lamps with a more sustainable alternative. Ideally, the project would involve residences, common areas, and the administrative offices on campus.

Peak (Energy) Shaving Project: 
A peak energy shaving project reduces electricity demand during high-use periods to lower costs and ease grid strain. This can be achieved by using on-site energy storage, shifting energy-intensive activities to off-peak times, or using demand response programs that temporarily reduce energy use when utilities signal peak events.

Arboretum:
An arboretum is a botanical collection composed primarily of trees and woody plants, typically established for scientific study, education, and display. For the purposes of this chart, the arboretum that is part of the senior living community should be certified as Level 1 or above.

Composting or Biodigesting – Central Kitchen:
Central kitchen composting involves the collection and management of kitchen food waste from a community dining hall kitchen to convert the waste into compost; biodigesting converts the waste to gray water.

Composting – Resident:
Resident composting involves the collection of organic waste, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and sometimes yard trimmings, to compost in a dedicated bin or pile or to be processed at a commercial composting facility.

Invasive Removal:
Invasive removal is the process of identifying and eliminating non-native plant species that threaten the health, biodiversity, and sustainability of the community’s landscape and surrounding ecosystems.

Land Conservation:
Land conservation requires that a community has placed land under a conservation easement or another permanent protection from development. 

Resident Food Gardens:
Resident food gardens include on-site gardens used to grow produce for personal consumption by residents, for use in the community dining hall, and/or for donation (as to staff, the community food shelf).

Native Plants:
Native plant projects focus on restoring and enhancing indigenous plant species at least within a designated area of the community, excluding residents’ personal gardens.

Recycling:
Recycling involves educating residents and supporting their efforts to use recycling bins placed across the campus to appropriately dispose of recyclable materials for collection by a solid waste company .

Recycling, Specialty:
Specialty recycling requires the provision of special bins and education of residents about their use for disposing of specified  waste materials that are not typically accepted in standard recycling programs. These materials may include batteries, hazardous waste, LED and fluorescent light bulbs, textiles and clothing, soft plastic, returnable cans and bottles, dental products, appliances, eyeglasses, hearing aids. Specialty recycling also requires a process for properly disposing of the materials in the bins.

Reuse & Repurpose:
Reuse and repurpose efforts divert items from landfills by redistributing items such as power cables and computer accessories, hosting tag sales where donated goods are resold, operating an on-campus “reuse” store, organizing groups that creatively repurpose old items into new uses, etc.

Sustainable Food Projects:
Sustainable food projects use a variety of means to encourage and support sustainable eating, such as education, tastings, special meals, and increasing plant-based menu options.

Water Conservation Plan:
Water conservation plans typically include assessments of current water use, identification of high-use areas, implementation of water-saving technologies (such as low-flow fixtures and efficient irrigation systems), and education programs to encourage behavioral change to p