Submitted on February 6, 2012; last updated on February 6, 2012
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The Austin Community College District is committed to promoting and practicing responsible environmental behavior. Over the past two years, ACC has rolled out numerous sustainability initiatives designed to shrink its environmental footprint and increase awareness of the importance of environmental stewardship. The blueprint for implementing this college-wide transformation was created in February 2009 by the ACC Board of Trustees with the passage of Sustainable Practices Policy C-9. That same year, ACC joined the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). By signing the pledge, ACC agreed to take actions to move the college toward climate neutrality. The climate action plan is a key step in that goal. This plan is a dynamic document intended to be revised and enhanced. It focuses on areas that directly impact campus greenhouse gas emissions as well as the practices that are changing the culture at ACC. ACC’s Recycling and Sustainability Committee initiated the conversation for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in 2010, working to determine the feasible emission-reduction goal for the college. After the evaluation of the college’s greenhouse gas inventory, the committee made a recommendation that was shared through various college constituencies and eventually submitted to the president of ACC. The college’s goal is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 while continuing to grow to meet the demand for ACC programs and services.
The college makes a considerable effort to focus on the awareness of sustainability practices on campus and in the community. Last year, ACC installed several large monitors on campuses, with slides educating students and employees about, among other things, its sustainability efforts. The college also uses its online presence to spread awareness. The ACC website, Facebook, and Twitter powerful and effective ways to share ideas and news. Additional outreach possibilities include: Create green partnerships within the community Design and implement a core sustainability course Create sustainability training or certificate programs Integrate sustainability concepts into courses Create LEED certification education and accreditation courses Enhance the sustainability website to promote energy conservation and sustainability, including tools and tactics for reducing environmental impact Create consolidated database for current classes that are sustainability-focused or have a sustainability theme to align curriculum offerings Promote college’s sustainability philosophies to incoming students by making sustainability information available at orientation Provide professional development opportunities for faculty and staff Develop signage to promote sustainable practices Develop a holistic sustainability campaign targeted to reduce behavioral impacts of campus community Develop internships, work study, special projects and courses that support climate neutrality and sustainability Partner with local businesses and community organizations on sustainability activities Create sustainability-driven events and promote sustainable practices at other college events Add a sustainability statement on college materials Develop energy dashboards to show students how they are performing as a campus Create college’s standard sustainability and climate change language and include it in all purchasing RFPs and RFQs Develop an energy awareness program Biannually monitor GHG emissions and progress and report publicly (as required by ACUPCC) Track and publicize campus energy use
