ACUPCC Reporting System

Climate Action Plan for Houston Community College

Submitted on October 15, 2009; last updated on October 15, 2009

Climate Action Plan Details

Climate Action Plan Houston Community College 2009 Climate Action Plan
October 15, 2009
No information provided.
No information provided

Emissions Targets

Climate Neutrality Target
2050
If you have any qualifying statements with regard to the climate neutrality target date, please include them here, and/or if you have chosen "TBD" and not specified a neutrality date, please enter the reason and explain the process for establishing a target date in the future.

HCC elects to perform additional analysis of its emissions inventory data before identifying a climate neutrality target date. Given certain limitations in capturing relialbe information, as it impacts our actual carbon emissions, HCC believes it is approprate to determine the target date later in time.

Interim Milestone Emission-Reduction Target Target Date Baseline
5% reduction in Purchased Electricity Emissions by 2010 relative to baseline emissions in 2008
20% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2, 3 Emissions by 2035 relative to baseline emissions in 2008
50% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2, 3 Emissions by 2050 relative to baseline emissions in 2008
Nonstandard Emissions Targets
Please enter below any targets that do not fit into the above format.

N/A

Narratives

Please describe your institution's greenhouse gas mitigation strategies.

HCC intends to achieve climate neutrality by implementing mitigation strategies recognizing that overall success depends on our ability to modify our strategies to meet potentially changing conditions. These strategies include (1) implementing identified energy conservaton measures, (2) establishing district-wide recycling initiatives, and (3) educating relevant stakeholders about the benefits of helping to reduce the adverse impact of greenhouse gas emissions. (See HCC 2009 CAP for additional details).

Please describe your institution's plans to make sustainability a part of the curriculum for all students.

HCC seeks to expose its students to pathways that promote climate neutrality and sustainability. Additionally, HCC commits to ensuring its students receive the necessary competencies and skills to transition into an evolving workforce where employers are implementing sustainable practices into their operations. HCC has several relevant courses (e.g., Solar Energy Technology, Wind Energy Technology, Certified Green Supply Chain Professional, Principles of Green Building) that will help students from climate neutrality and sustainability perspective.

Anticipated non-programmatic opportunities that enable students to gain relevant exposure include: Participation in Earth Day, RecycleMania, the HCC Clean and Green committee, and establishing a web presence taht promotes climate neutrality and sustainability. HCC will also proactively work with students to establish a student advisory committee designed to further the objectives of becoming climate neutral and produce a newsletter that addresses this important matter. HCC is also partnering with numerous local entities to provide educational opportunities for its students. (See 2009 HCC CAP for additional details).

Please describe your institution's plans to expand research efforts toward the achievement of climate neutrality.

HCC is not a research institution. Therefore, plans to expand research presents inherent limitations. However, our partnerships with research institutions position us work with others to advance research opportunities for our students.

Please describe your institution's plans to expand community outreach efforts toward the achievement of climate neutrality.

Recognizing the intrinsic value that relationships provide, HCC commits to community outreach for the purpose of exposing others to the challenges and opportunities of climate change and sustainability. These opportunities include hosting the 2nd Annual Chancellor's Symposium on Energy that brings HCC students and local high school students together with faculty, staff, and relevant thought leaders from both the public and private sectors to explore pathways and opportunities to career in the energy industry.

HCC believes that through community outreach, the path to a sustainable future is attainable, paved with expert knowledge, and resources united in a collaborative pursuit of a common interest. We commit to this effort with our partners. (See HCC 2009 CAP for additional details).