Sustainability and Energy Management

Who We Are

The Sustainability and Energy Management Department (SEM) consists of Utilities Services, Parking and Transportation Services, and the Office of Sustainability.  The department is led by the Executive Director and includes 86 professional, clerical and trades staff.   

What We Do

The Department of Sustainability and Energy Management (SEM) leads the initiative to advance sustainability in campus operations and oversees campus utilities and transportation services. This work includes developing strategic long-term goals for energy use, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, water use, waste reduction, green building and transportation, as well as developing and administering a communications and community relations program to support the initiative and an evaluation and reporting program to monitor its effectiveness. 

SEM also provides long-range planning for campus utilities and transportation needs and carries out those plans through capital improvements to campus infrastructure; procurement of gas, electricity, water and sewerage services from external entities; and operation of campus utility and transportation systems on a day-to-day basis.  SEM is also home to Sustainable Stanford, the university’s official program on sustainability, which steers, connects, supports and streamlines that work.