This year, almost 2,000 staff, students and faculty responded to the med center’s 2024 Sustainability Engagement Survey, almost 1,000 more responses than in 2022.
The survey results measured progress toward the med center’s campus engagement score, which combines five sustainability engagement dimensions to determine a single score between 0-100.
The overall score this year was 56, a two-point decrease from the score in 2022. When survey results account for differences in questions asked, there was virtually no change in score.
Key takeaways from the survey results:
- Waste diversion and reduction: The med center community is passionate about recycling and reducing waste. Of the trends that emerged, diverting waste from the landfill was the most popular topic – 40% of respondents mentioned waste diversion. When asked about their own sustainable behaviors and the behaviors of peers, three of the top four reported behaviors were waste-related:
- Reusable containers
- Recycling
- Printing double-sided
- Engagement and education: Respondents requested increases in engagement activities, communications and education about sustainability on campus. The number of respondents that mentioned education is up 7 percentage points to 10% since 2022. Energy savings was highlighted as a topic for educational opportunity, with 9% of participants indicating energy conservation/efficiency as an area of interest. These practices will be an area of focus in 2025.
- Active commuting: In 2024, 38% of trips to and from med center locations were made by carpooling, taking the bus, walking, riding a bicycle or working from home (modes other than driving alone in a vehicle). The prevalence of active commuting is an important way the med center community reduces greenhouse gas emissions. While slightly lower than in 2022 (by 2 percentage points), the campus community is maintaining sustainable and healthy transportation habits.
While the results show opportunities to grow and improve, they also highlight the med center community desire to participate in a more sustainable future.
Staff and students can join the med center’s sustainability mission by visiting the LiveGreen Ambassadors webpage and joining the LiveGreen Ambassadors Employee Resource Group.
To view this year’s Sustainability Engagement Survey report, visit the campus engagement webpage.
With questions or additional feedback about sustainability at the med center, email the UNMC Office of Sustainability.