Your Energy Team

Identify and Assess Your Decarbonization Team

Decarbonization takes a coordinated effort across a multi-functional team. Use the table below to identify your institution’s existing team and when individual groups should be engaged at various steps in the decarbonization process. We’ve also provided some key considerations you'll want to keep top of mind, once you’ve identified your team.

Identify Your Team

Role/Function	Example Team Members	When to Include in the Planning Process
Role/Function	Example Team Members	Stakeholder Engagement	Strategic Planning	Decarbonization Strategies	Financial Planning
Facilities Identify operational needs and maintenance concerns Provide building and system-level data Identify and evaluate projects	Facilities managers, physical plant administrators, engineers, energy managers, operations and maintenance, asset management	✔	✔	✔
Sustainability Provide vision and leadership: set and ensure alignment with institutional climate and decarbonization goals Define, track, and report project progress and success Act as a bridge between various functions (e.g., operations, research, academics)	Sustainability director or coordinator, data analyst, engagement or communications	✔	✔	✔	✔
Capital Planning and Real Estate Provide information on capital projects and future space needs Manage procurement and project delivery Ensure alignment with campus master planning efforts	Design and construction, project managers, real estate	✔	✔	✔	✔
Finance Identify the financial metrics required to assess decarbonization pathways Provide guidance on funding opportunities and financing mechanisms	CFO, finance team	✔	✔		✔
Electric/Gas Utility Provide information on service delivery and capacity Specify utility concerns and requirements Update grid infrastructure as required by scope Provide insight into available incentives/financing	Account/portfolio manager, customer relations	✔	✔	✔	✔
Senior Leadership Ultimately responsible for the review and approval of major plans and projects Provide resources and support for implementation Governance and accountability	Office of the president, deans, department chairs, provost and trustees, CFO	✔	✔	✔	✔
System Administration Ensure alignment with system-wide decarbonization goals and targets (where applicable) Provide resources and support for implementation	SUNY Admin, CUNY Admin	✔	✔	✔	✔
Communications Communicate planning efforts, project status, and success to internal and external stakeholders	University communications, outreach	✔
Campus Stakeholders Provide opportunities for input and collaboration Keep informed of planning efforts, project status, and success Opportunities for campus as a living laboratory	Students, faculty, staff	✔
Community Stakeholders Keep informed of planning efforts, project status, and success Ensure alignment with local regulations and climate / decarbonization goals	Local government, community-based organizations, community members	✔

Key Considerations

Identify Where External Support Is Needed

Consider addressing gaps through third-party support (e.g., contractors, consultants). It is common to hire consultants for decarbonization strategy, coordination, and technical support. The following resources offer guidance on finding partners to support decarbonization efforts:

Engage Stakeholders with Regular and Appropriate Communication

Decarbonization planning is an iterative process that will result in a stronger plan with broad stakeholder input and support. Refer to the following pages for best practices and considerations for engaging specific stakeholder groups:

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