Creating UNC Chapel Hill’s Three Zeros Initiative

Developing the Three Zeros Initiative – working with the University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill to create a campus wide sustainability plan

Early in 2015, Buro Happold was chosen to lead UNC’s Sustainability Plan. This work that has been completed in close collaboration with UNC’s leadership, and has focused on the development of a strategic plan that can be integrated both with the University’s larger campus planning exercises, and with improvements to the University’s business and financial practices to ensure sustainability efforts are well-aligned with the University’s goals and mission.

Through this effort, UNC’s Chancellor, Carol Folt, initiated the Three Zeros Initiative. The Initiative, internally launched in the fall of 2016, aims to create a campus that is greenhouse gas neutral, water neutral and zero waste to landfill.

For a look inside the Three Zeros Day, check out the video below

Chancellor Folt hosted the Three Zeros Day on campus to introduce the wider campus community to the efforts and celebrate UNC’s successes. I was honored to present next to Chancellor Folt and Brad Ives, Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Enterprises, during this daylong event and celebrate the successes of the entire campus community.

We take a lot of pride in the balance of the technical work to drive these Three Zeros and our people-based solutions. This initiative demanded it! Importantly, the relationships we’ve created at UNC have played, and will continue to play, a significant part in redefining the great global research institution.

Our work has created a number of assets to inform and drive the Three Zeros Initiative goals. We’ve generated robust baseline information through buildings, site and district infrastructure evaluation, and a set of scenario analysis tools to test options at scales against campus growth, programmatic shifts and externalities. Together we’ve created a rich framework and a living roadmap to achieve a Triple Zero campus.

There is a lot of great energy and enthusiasm driving this initiative forward and we’re excited to continue this work on campus. I want to thank the entire team at UNC for their collaboration, drive and vision – especially Cindy Shea for her leadership and guidance.