Climate Action and Sustainability Goals
The 2021 Climate Action and Sustainability Framework builds upon the important work of the Climate Change and Sustainability Policy (2019). The comprehensive framework is designed to serve as a tool and aims to create environmental, social, and educational benefits for the communities we serve. Recognizing district-level progress is achieved at different stages, the framework first asks community colleges to establish benchmarks and then continue to track progress towards goals for 2025, 2030, and finally, 2035. Read more about the framework and review the comprehensive goals below.
2025 Climate Action and Sustainability Goals
|
Category |
2026 Benchmark |
2030 Build and Institutionalize |
2035 Improve and Reassess |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction |
Conduct emissions inventory baselines and create climate action plan |
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 75% below baseline |
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 100% below baseline |
|
Green Buildings and Grounds |
Benchmark % of Buildings and Landscapes that meet LEED (SITES for Landscapes), Living Building Challenge LBC Certification or Nationally Recognized Greenbuilding Certification (New Construction & Major Renovation) Benchmark % of Buildings and Landscapes meeting LEED O & M standards |
All new Buildings and Landscapes will achieve LEED Gold (SITES for Landscapes) or higher, Living Building Challenge LBC Certification, or Nationally recognized Greenbuilding certification (New Construction & Major Renovation) 25% of Districts Buildings and Landscapes meeting LEED O & M certification |
All new Buildings and Landscapes that achieve LEED Platinum (SITES for Landscapes), Living Building Challenge LBC Certification or Nationally Recognized Greenbuilding certification (New Construction & Major Renovation) 50% of Buildings and Landscapes meeting LEED O & M certification |
|
Energy |
Benchmark Energy Usage Intensity (EUI) Benchmark % of energy that comes from Natural Gas Benchmark % of energy that comes from Renewable Energy |
Decrease EUI by 25% from benchmark Reduce Natural Gas usage in buildings by 30% from benchmark 50% of energy comes from Renewable Energy |
Decrease EUI by 50% from benchmark Reduce Natural Gas usage in buildings by 75% from benchmark 100% of energy comes from Renewable Energy |
|
Water |
Benchmark potable water usage Benchmark Water Use Profile across the District (landscape use, cooling towers, specialty use) Benchmark amount Stormwater Infiltrated/Captured on site |
Reduce potable water usage by 25% Increase use of non-potable water use for applicable uses by 25% Increase Stormwater Infiltration/Capture on site by 10% from benchmark |
Reduce potable water usage by 50% Increase use of non-potable water use for applicable uses by 50% Increase Stormwater Infiltration/Capture on site by 20% from benchmark |
|
Waste |
Benchmark and comply with state regulations Benchmark and comply with state regulations Benchmark Waste Profile for total Waste produced Benchmark % diverted from landfill and comply with state regulations |
Divert 50% of all Construction & Demolition Waste from landfill Reduce total waste generated by 20% per combined FTES & FTE (On-site & hybrid) 75% diverted from landfill and comply with state regulations |
Divert 75% of all Construction & Demolition Waste from landfill Reduce total waste generated by 40% per combined FTES & FTE (On-site & hybrid) 90% diverted from landfill and comply with state regulations Increase procurement of sustainable products and services by 50% |
|
Purchasing and Procurement and Food Systems |
Benchmark % of dollars spent of products and services that have sustainability characteristics and meet third party sustainability certification. Create Sustainable Purchasing Policy Benchmark % of dollars spent of products and services that are local, as defined by the area the district serves Benchmark & track food purchases, products and meals served across District Benchmark % of locally sourced-ingredients, and food products |
Increase procurement of sustainable products and services by 25% Increase percentage of dollars spent on local products and services by 25% Increase sustainable food purchases to 20% of total food budget Increase percentage of dollars spent on locally sourced-ingredients, and food products by 25% |
Increase procurement of sustainable products and services by 50% Increase percentage of dollars spent on local products and services by 50% Increase sustainable food purchases to 80% of total food budget Increase percentage of dollars spent on locally sourced-ingredients, and food products by 50% |
|
Transportation |
Conduct accounting/assessment of fleet vehicles; develop EV charging infrastructure Benchmark Student Staff Faculty Commuting Mode to and from campus or campuses Benchmark District Vehicles Mile Traveled (VMT) |
50% of vehicles that are zero emission vehicles 25% increase of commuters that use alternative transport from benchmark 25% reduction in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) from benchmark |
100% of new fleet vehicles that are zero emissions 50% increase of commuters that use alternative transport from benchmark 50% reduction in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) from benchmark |
|
General Sustainability University & College Performance |
Campus food service track sustainable food purchases |
Each District will submit a STARS report to AASHE and achieve a STARS reporter Benchmark |
Each District will achieve Gold STARS Certification |
Resources
California Community Colleges Board of Governors Climate Action and Sustainability Framework (PDF)