Sustainability Initiatives at CNM
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Initiatives and Practices for the Future
At CNM, we are committed to supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering ecological, human, and economic health within our communities. We recognize that natural resources are finite, and we are dedicated to promoting awareness and practicing responsible stewardship of both environmental and economic resources with a focus on long-term viability.
Achieving a more sustainable future requires collective effort and proactive changes. As part of this community, we aim to inspire action among our neighbors, build partnerships that advance our sustainability goals, and lead by example in our commitment to a more sustainable and responsible future.
Numerous programs and initiatives support our sustainability mission, with some of the most visible and impactful being those you can see and experience directly at any CNM location. Our approach includes sustainable planning and design, alternative energy and resource management, and outreach and education to encourage participation from the entire CNM community and beyond.
Sustainable Design and Planning
High-Efficiency Building Design
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), has been a guiding principle in CNM construction and renovation projects at CNM. The maintenance and operation of campus buildings is the single largest source of campus greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at CNM. To reduce these carbon emissions, all new CNM buildings and renovations are built to, at least, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) “Silver” requirements.
Campus Planning Interventions
In addition to high-performance building requirements, CNM also requires that the design and planning of exterior spaces consider impacts on the environment. Practices such as Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) manage stormwater on site instead of sending it to the sewer, which provides more irrigation for plants and trees and replenishes ground water. Other strategies, such as using native plants and urban gardens provide opportunities for learning about regional ecology, pollinators, and promote water-sensitive design.
Alternative Energy and Resource Management
Rethinking Energy Sources
CNM currently produces more than 2,500,000 KWh (Kilowatt Hours) of electricity annually from our solar assets across many of the campuses, including a large 1.3 megawatt array at Westside Campus. The Westside Array also stores electricity via a 500kW Tesla battery bank for energy storage, utilized during peak demand events. The array also serves as a Solar Training Lab for the Electrical Trades Photovoltaics Program.
Every year, CNM removes weeds that grow around the Westside array to prevent them from shading the panels and damaging the wiring. While weeds are typically removed using machinery, CNM is using more than 200 goats and one alpaca to graze the area and keep it clear of unwanted growth.
Another alternative energy technology utilized across CNM locations is our ground-source heat pumps, which use the ambient temperature of the earth to help offset the energy needed for heating buildings.
Electric Vehicle Fleet and Charging Stations
CNM's Parking and Fleet Services Department is currently working on converting 75% of the existing vehicle fleet to Electric Vehicles (EV) by 2030. This includes the addition of electric vehicle charging stations located around each campus and in the fleet yard. There are currently three dual-port level II chargers. Covered parking with solar panels will also be added to CNM Main Campus over time.
Water Conservation
CNM has been recognized for both water conservation and for stormwater management. Water conservation at our campuses has improved drastically over the past decade thanks to low-flow toilets and sinks, water bottle refilling stations, as well as efficient drip irrigation systems on the grounds, all of which have been advocated for by the facilities staff and maintenance crews.