Bellevue College Taking Steps Toward Carbon Neutrality by 2050 

With the goal to become carbon neutral by 2050, Bellevue College is taking several steps to improve its carbon footprint, including transitioning its fleet to electric vehicles, improving biodiversity, and installing a Solar plus Storage system on campus, among others. These actions and more are outlined in its new Climate Action Plan, a comprehensive strategy for reducing Bellevue College’s greenhouse gas emissions, which was recently adopted this summer. 

“This plan is another significant milestone in our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship,” Dr. David May, Bellevue College’s president, wrote in the plan. “The importance of climate action cannot be overstated because it is fundamental to our mission of advancing global awareness, social equity, and helping to create a healthier future for everyone.” 

Carbon or greenhouse gas emissions are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide and have been rising throughout the world in recent years. They are primarily driven by burning fossil fuels, gasoline, petroleum-based products, and natural gas.  

“I’m really happy to see Bellevue College doubling down on their commitment to climate goals,’ said Nick Frey, a Bellevue College student. “As many of us do, I wake up with climate anxiety on my mind. The years we have left to act are rapidly shrinking. The Climate Action Plan is an inspiring step forward, and a labor of love by folks across the college, including the Office of Sustainability. Now, we have a collective responsibility to carry these commitments to fruition. We must reduce carbon emissions.” 

Bellevue College Director of Sustainability Sara Holzknecht explains that carbon emissions go up into the Earth’s atmosphere and trap heat the same way a greenhouse does, and can cause significant, unstable climate patterns, such as unpredictable storms, increased wildfires, and flooding.  

“It’s important for Bellevue College to not only be taking steps to reduce carbon emissions related to our operations,” Holzknecht said. “But also, to act as a community leader and help educate our community on how to decarbonize and be prepared for these weather events that we’re now experiencing.” 

Carbon emissions have been measured in real-time for over a century now.  

“The point we’re at right now is much, much higher than we’ve ever seen,” Holzknecht said of carbon emissions worldwide. “There’s a huge spike that [the Earth is] experiencing now. We’re at about 425 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and climate scientists have found in order to have a stable climate, to not continue to warm our planet, we need to be at 350 parts per million.” 

The college is well on track toward reaching its goal of net neutrality and has been tracking its greenhouse gas emissions since 2006. Holzknecht and her team use the University of New Hampshire’s carbon and nitrogen-accounting tool, the Sustainability Indicator Management and Analysis Platform (SIMAP). In 2007, Bellevue College became a signatory of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, and the Office of Sustainability was created in 2012. Shortly after, the first Climate Action Plan was adopted in 2010 with the last update made in 2013. 

With four LEED®-certified buildings (and more on the way), 90-kW of onsite solar, and 180 geothermal wells all within a 100-acre campus, the college reached 5% reduction in 2015 and 20% reduction in 2020. Currently, Bellevue College has been able to reach 35% toward its goal. By 2030, the goal is to reach 60% with 100% planned for 2050. 

“The exciting thing is that we are on target for our goal as of our most recent reporting,” Holzknecht said. “But as we see more in-person operations following the pandemic, it’s going to be important for us to consider how we can encourage alternative transportation because transportation is really the lion’s share of our emissions.” 

The college recently received approval to purchase three electric vehicles and is also planning to look at the viability of developing a shuttle system and expanding and improving use of its bus/ORCA card, carpool, and bike programs. 

The plan is organized by seven sections that include pathways to reach the overall goal. Each section offers focus areas for future projects. The sections include 1. Energy and Built Environment, 2. Transportation, 3. Zero Waste, 4. Culture and Learning, 5. Natural Systems, 6. Social Equity and 7. Resilience.  

Key Projects: 

• Continue adding rooftop solar panels and install a Solar plus Storage system on campus, creating a microgrid to reduce energy costs and allows the college to store energy to be a resource for the community in the event of an emergency 

• Construct the fifth LEED®-certified building (W Building) 

• Establish a policy and plan for achieving a fully electric vehicle fleet by 2035 and adding electric vehicle chargers on campus 

• Revise purchasing policy to eliminate sale of single-use plastic bottles and bags on campus 

• Develop a Buy Nothing donation/sharing program on campus 

• Install additional water refill stations to reduce single-use plastic 

• Divest staff and faculty retirement funds from the fossil fuel industry, shifting to support clean energy 

• Achieve SalmonSafe certification and Level II Arboretum accreditation; develop stormwater and urban forestry management plans as well as a Grounds’ equipment decarbonization plan; and explore Wild Your Campus certification to reduce pesticides on campus 

• Complete new community garden  

For a list of completed projects, key focus areas and goals, or more information about Bellevue College’s 2024 Climate Action Plan, visit bellevuecollege.edu/sustainability/sustainbc/climate/plan/.