Chabot College
DRAFT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHABOT COLLEGE
CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING PROCESS
FEBRUARY 25, 2010
1. PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
Chabot College signed The American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) on
September 15, 2007. As a signatory, Chabot College is publicly committed to achieving campus carbon
neutrality. Below outlines the steps to be taken as part of the Commitment and status of each step to date.
(
• = Completed; œ = In Progress; { = Incomplete or Not Applicable)
Chabot
College
Steps
1. Initiate the development of a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality as soon as possible.
a.
Within two months of signing this document, create institutional structures to guide the
development and implementation of the plan.
b. Within one year of signing this document, complete a comprehensive inventory of all greenhouse
gas emissions (including emissions from electricity, heating, commuting, and air travel) and update
the inventory every other year thereafter.
y
y
c. Within two years of signing this document, develop an institutional action plan for becoming climate neutral, which
will include:
i.
A target date for achieving climate neutrality as soon as possible.
ii.
Interim targets for goals and actions that will lead to climate neutrality.
iii.
Actions to make climate neutrality and sustainability a part of the curriculum and other
educational experience for all students.
iv.
Actions to expand research or other efforts necessary to achieve climate neutrality.
v.
Mechanisms for tracking progress on goals and actions.
y
y
{
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2. Initiate two or more of the following tangible actions to reduce greenhouse gases while the more comprehensive plan
is being developed.
a. Establish a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least the U.S. Green
Building Council’s LEED Silver standard or equivalent.
y
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b. Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR
certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist.
y
c.
Establish a policy of offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel paid for by
the institution.
d. Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students and
visitors at our institution.
{
e.
Within one year of signing this document, begin purchasing or producing at least 15% of our
institution’s electricity consumption from renewable sources.
y
f.
Establish a policy or a committee that supports climate and sustainability shareholder proposals
at companies where our institution’s endowment is invested.
g. Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, and
adopt 3 or more associated measures to reduce waste.
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{
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3. Make the action plan, inventory, and periodic progress reports publicly available by providing them to the
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) for posting and dissemination.
The proposed process is intended to assist in completion of steps 1.C.iv., 1.C.v. (including 2d. and 2g.) through the
development of a robust climate action plan.
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2. TIMING, KEY STEPS AND MAJOR MILESTONES
Draft Climate Action Planning Process Calendar
The draft schedule below is designed with the assumption of the following approval process to fit within a one
semester time frame. The process is not intended to be linear, as revisions are anticipated upon discussion with
the various entities listed below. Presentation of a climate action plan to the Board is expected by May 2010.
Sustainability
Committee
Facilities
Committee
Office of the
President
Committee/Meeting
Date
Sustainability Committee
Meeting #1
February 25, 2010
-
Sustainability Committee
Meeting #2
Sustainability Committee
Meeting #3
Office of the President
Marc h 25, 2010
-
April 2010
-
April/May 2010
-
District Office and
Office of the Chancellor
April/May 2010
-
Board of Trustees
May 2010
-
Public Release of Final
Report
TBD
-
District/Office
of Chancellor
Board of
Trustees
Milestone
-
3
Overview of CAP Process
Discuss Potential GHG Reduction Strategies
for Draft CAP
Discuss Research and Cost/Benefit Analysis
for CAP GHG Reduction Strategies
Review and Provide Input to Draft Climate
Action Plan
Report recommendations are submitted to
Office of the President for Review and
Comment
Report recommendations are submitted to
District and Office of the Chancellor for
Review
Report recommendations are transmitted to
Board of Trustees for Review and Approval
Finalize Climate Action Plan Upon Board
Approval, Upload to ACUPCC Reporting Site
Prepare for progress tracking every 2 years
Key Steps and Milestones
Facilities and Sustainability Committee Meeting #1
Key Objectives:
ƒ Review Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and receive additional comments (if any). Introduce
climate action planning process and discuss potential GHG reduction strategies for consideration at Chabot
College.
Agenda
ƒ Review Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
ƒ Review climate action planning (CAP) process
ƒ Discuss and confirm early action measures
ƒ Discuss and provide input to near-term and mid- to long-term strategies to reduce GHG emissions
ƒ Discuss key opportunities and barriers
In between Meetings #1 and #2 further research and cost/benefit analysis will take place for GHG reduction
strategies discussed to be considered for inclusion in Draft Climate Action Plan.
Facilities and Sustainability Committee Meeting #2
Key Objectives:
ƒ Review and discuss the GHG reduction strategies in greater detail with quantitative metrics and identify
potential barriers, challenges to implementation, and potential alternatives (if any) to strategy.
Agenda:
ƒ Review and discuss research, costs, and benefits of GHG reduction strategies
ƒ Discuss potential policy/program design (i.e. description, goals, timing, key persons involved, etc.).
In between Meetings #2 and #3, a Draft Climate Action Plan will be developed based on discussion and input
received from the Committee.
Facilities and Sustainability Committee Meeting #3
Key Objectives:
ƒ Review and provide comment on Draft Climate Action Plan
Agenda:
ƒ Review and discuss Draft Climate Action Plan
After Meeting #3, comments will be addressed and an updated Draft Climate Action Plan will move forward in
the process, to ultimately be reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees.
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3. FINAL REPORT
A Final Climate Action Plan Report compiling and summarizing final recommendations of the Sustainability
Committee will be provided to the Board of Trustees for consideration upon input by the Facilities Committee,
Office of the President, and Office of the Chancellor. The report is anticipated to be submitted to the Board in the
May 2010 timeframe and will cover the following areas:
ƒ
Executive Summary
ƒ
Inventory and Forecast of Chabot College GHG Emissions
ƒ
Recommended Policy Actions by Resource Area:
o Energy
o Recycling and Waste
o Water
o Transportation
o Education, Research and Community Outreach
ƒ
Technical Appendices
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