The Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) organized a pre-summit activity focusing on the university’s Sustainability Reporting as part of the preparations for the 3rd Sustainability Summit. This year’s theme “Usapang Sustainability 2025: Innovating Green Practices for Higher Education Institutions” focuses on the planet pillars of United Nation 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The pre-summit aimed to report the University’s sustainability milestones, achievements, and challenges throughout 2024 with special focus on the resources’ consumption and generation. This was held on March 17, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN via Zoom Video Conferencing.

The pre-summit activity was attended by key university officials, including Vice Presidents, Directors, Chancellors, Vice Chancellors, Campus Directors, Heads, College Deans and representatives of the student body. Given the event’s emphasis on promoting dialogue and collaboration for sustainable campus practices and environmental conservation, it also welcomed the participation of frontline offices involved in sustainability efforts. These included the Sustainable Development Offices, General Services Offices, Resource Generation Offices, Environmental Management Units, Project and Facility Management Offices, along with Sustainable Development Officers and Coordinators across 11 campuses.

Dr. Vaberlie P. Mandane-Garcia, Sustainable Development Officer of the Center for Sustainable Development, led the presentation, providing an in-depth overview of the University’s sustainability progress and initiatives over the past year. Discussions were focused on data analysis, insights, and recommendations related to water, electricity and fuel consumption, solid waste (food waste) management, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Relatively, as part of the Center for Sustainable Development’s ongoing efforts to enhance sustainability reporting and improve GHG emission tracking across campuses, it recognized the Sustainability Assessment Tool (SAT) and GHG Calculator—a groundbreaking initiative developed by BS Information students from Lipa Campus led by their adviser, Ms. Richelle M. Sulit, and supported by the Sustainable Development Office – Lipa. This innovative tool aims to streamline GHG-related data collection and computation across source offices.

Additionally, CSD provided updates on key developments, including the revamping of sustainability website and the cascading of Periodic Data Collection Manual. The manual was cascaded to campuses through the OUP Memorandum No. 327 S. 2025 last January 02, 2025. It aims to facilitate seamless and standardized data reporting.

Dr. Mandane-Garcia also highlighted major sustainability programs and initiatives spearheaded and supported by the CSD in 2024. These included the One BatStateU Clean-Up Drive, Bike Sharing Program, Tree Planting Activities, and various other sustainability-focused projects and programs.

The event successfully set the stage for the 3rd Sustainability Summit, laying a strong foundation for future sustainability initiatives. While celebrating key milestones, the pre-summit activity also acknowledged challenges, reinforcing the University’s commitment to addressing these challenges through strategic solutions.

Some of the key challenges include the continued high electricity consumption, driven by the construction of new buildings and a growing campus population. Additionally, fuel consumption has risen due to the frequent long-distance travel of university officials for official business and events. On a positive note, the university has made significant strides in sustainability, with an increase in solar power generation, as well as a reduction in water consumption and solid waste generation—marking progress toward a more efficient and eco-friendly campus.

The summit is scheduled for March 19, 2025, and will be held in a hybrid format.