Girl Scouts of the USA
At a Glance
Industry
Nonprofit
Project Types
Clean and Renewable Energy, Commercial Energy Efficiency, Engagement and Behavior Change, Supply Chain, Sustainability and Energy Management Strategy
Year
2020
Location
New York, NY
Summary
Fiona Montie helped Girl Scouts of the USA to advance its organizational sustainability strategy and implement rooftop solar and energy efficiency upgrades at its distribution center.
Goals
The nonprofit organization Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) enlisted EDF Climate Corps fellow Fiona Montie to create a sustainability vision and strategy that would help to “tell the story” of sustainability at GSUSA and inspire action. A component of this strategy was also to research and implement rooftop solar at the Girl Scouts’ Distribution Center in Randolph, NJ. With a mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place, sustainability has always been in Girl Scouts’ DNA and the organization sought a coherent strategy to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability.
Solutions
After performing extensive research, interviewing employees across all departments of GSUSA, and holding a focus group for high school-age girls, Fiona identified key opportunities for the organization to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Fiona produced recommendations for education and programming, responsible consumption and production, renewable energy, and organizational governance at GSUSA. In conjunction with GSUSA employees and environmental experts, Fiona developed 18-month, 3-year, and 5-year measurable targets for each relevant SDG. On the renewable energy front, Fiona researched state incentive programs, applied for solar grants, solicited installation proposals, and performed financial analyses for rooftop solar.
Impact
Fiona’s recommended sustainability strategy could alter the environmental practices of global suppliers and teach more than two million Girl Scouts about environmental justice, proper recycling practices, and climate change. Over a 30-year period, Fiona’s rooftop solar plan could save the organization between $400,000 and $498,000 in net present value and prevent 2,687 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere. The recommended energy efficiency upgrades could save the organization $32,000 in upfront equipment costs and deliver over $49,000 in utility savings and 285 metric tons of CO2 savings over the next 15 years. Fiona presented her findings to GSUSA’s CEO and other executives, receiving approval to move forward with the developed strategy, solar installation, and energy efficiency upgrades.