In 2003, Duke University began a major initiative to re-invent its environmental management processes by designing, building, and implementing a management system that will cover all aspects of the University life – education, research, health care, management, operations, and facilities. The initiative builds on the institution’s solid environmental history, including regulatory compliance, education, research, and service. An Environmental Management System Planning Committee was formed to design a system to address the growth of campus sustainability and stewardship; to improve and report environmental performance; and, respond to increased scrutiny from the regulatory community.
The committee studied existing and proposed management systems at a number of universities and proposes a performance-based management system focused on key improvement areas. The planning committee’s proposed framework is centered on five key goals:
Environmental performance indicators will be established under this framework and continuous improvement projects and initiatives will be implemented by members of the university community to improve performance and achieve the established goals. A primary goal of the new system is to continuously improve Duke’s environmental performance. Upon completion of the planning process, the EMS Planning Committee will filter into the Environmental Management Advisory Committee (EMAC), which began through Duke's Facilities Management Department (FMD).
