The California Community Colleges’ work in climate action, currently outlined in Vision 2030, is informed by the strategic framework of the Governor’s Roadmap (2021). The climate action work outlined in the Vision 2030 framework advances community college engagement with the four fields of climate practice: facilities and operations, workforce and curriculum community engagements and benefits, and resource development.
The Board of Governors has been a bold proponent of climate action, energy conservation, and other sustainability measures and has established policies since 2013. Since that time, the Chancellor’s Office has continued to make policy adjustments and in 2019 the Board adopted the Climate Change and Sustainability Policy. The 2019 policy laid a strong foundation for community college districts to align and guide their local-level work. Most recently, in 2021, the Chancellor’s Office revised the climate change and sustainability policy to reflect the needs of colleges and the perspectives of a diverse set of stakeholders. Guided by the Climate Action and Sustainability Steering Committee, the Chancellor’s Office created a new framework, the Climate Action and Sustainability Framework. The updated framework established systemwide goals and targets and integrated a comprehensive approach to leverage both colleges’ physical and social impact footprint.
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Climate Action and Sustainability Policy
Climate change is one of the most pressing and critical issues of our time, requiring our collective attention to explore actions and solutions.
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Climate Action and Sustainability Goals
View the Board of Governors Climate Action and Sustainability framework and goals. -
Stormwater Management and Water Conservation
See template and survey information for the Stormwater Management Program. -
Board of Governors Energy and Sustainability Awards
Learn about the award program that recognizes community college sustainability leaders and local energy efficiency and sustainability efforts.
Grant Opportunities
The California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research Regional Resilience Planning and Implementation Grant Program funds local organizations that are planning and implementing projects that advance climate resilience and respond to the greatest climate risks within regions of California.
Total Amount Available
Planning: $12.5M
Implementation: $8.8M
Individual Grant Amounts
Planning: $150-$650K
Implementation: $800K - 3M
Eligibility
- CA institutions of higher education are eligible as a “local public entity”
- Must have 2 co-applicants. The second applicant can be a community-based organization (CBO), nonprofit.
Deadline
To be announced fall 2023 (sign up for the ICARP newsletter or check back for updates)
Website and Resources
Regional Resilience Planning and Implementation Grant Program
Sign up for the Regional Resilience Grant Program mailing list
The California Office of Emergency Services’ Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides funding for communities to implement mitigation activities that reduce risk to life, property, and infrastructure from natural hazards including wildfire, earthquake, drought, extreme heat, flooding, and other natural hazards. HMGP funding can support the development of hazard mitigation planning, project scoping activities, and mitigation projects.
Total Amount Available
Funding is determined based upon declared disaster
Individual Grant Amount
No limit listed
Eligibility and Match Requirement
- State agencies are eligible
- Individual districts are eligible but must have a local government partner.
- Planner cannot be part of implementation team
- Match requirement is 25%
Deadline
ongoing; Cal OES continuously accepts Notices of Intent for consideration
