California Institute of Technology

College Sustainability Report Card 2007

Caltech's Environmental Task Force, composed of faculty, staff, and students, has drafted an environmental policy statement and has promoted several initiatives. The Facilities Management Department is the source of the strongest institutional support of sustainability measures on campus and has a comprehensive energy management program with stated practices and goals. However, institutional support of sustainability—in the form of an official policy, sustainability coordinator, or sustainability center—has yet to be realized.

The cogeneration plant, which was upgraded in 2004, is 80 percent efficient and supplies 80 percent of the campus' power. Energy conservation initiatives include motion sensors in all new construction and retrofits, a re-roofing program and an elevator modernization program. Caltech has considered renewable energy sources as a measure to reduce energy costs in the long-term.

Caltech is an official drop-off point for Terra Miguel farm, a local organic farm, and students have the option to be added to the drop-off list, as well. The grounds crews reuse various wastes such as woodchips (which are used to fuel a pizza oven), and two recycling specialists are employed to reduce the campus’ waste stream through effective recycling efforts.

Caltech pursues energy conservation and wise energy management in all its facilities and for new buildings. The University has adopted LEED certification for all new construction and is investigating campus-wide certification. Lighting retrofits have occurred in 15 of the campus buildings.

The Institute has no known policy of disclosure of endowment holdings or its shareholder voting record.

The Institute prioritizes investing to maximize profit and has not made any public statements about investigating or investing in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds.

The Institute has not made any public statements about active ownership or a proxy voting policy.