View the 2024 Climate Action Plan
Our Climate Action Plan details strategies to reduce our carbon emissions and overall environmental impact through a multifaceted approach with goals set for reductions at various stages over 40 years. A working document, updates are provided every 5 years.
In June 2010, the BC Environmental Advisory Committee completed BC’s Climate Action Plan – detailing strategies to reduce our carbon emissions and overall environmental impact through a multifaceted approach with goals set for reductions at various stages over the next 40 years. Our plan is a “working model” and will be re-evaluated and adjusted regularly (with major analysis and revisions occurring on a 5 yr cycle). We fully expect the plan to evolve as we learn what works and introduce new ideas and technologies. The plan is divided into seven major areas:
- Energy & Built Environment
- Transportation
- Zero Waste
- Culture & Learning
- Natural Systems
- Social Equity
- Resilience
Land Acknowledgement
We pause to acknowledge that Bellevue College resides on the traditional and occupied land of the Coast Salish Peoples – past, present, and future – that includes but is not limited to: Snoqualmie, Suquamish, Duwamish, Nisqually, Tulalip, and Muckleshoot (Smulkamish, Stkamish, Skopamish, and Upper Puyallup). We honor their connection to the region, pay respect to Coast Salish Elders past and present, and stand in solidarity through their struggles with continued systemic oppression. We commit to care for the land and water, and center equity at the core of our (un)learning.
Labor Acknowledgement
We pause to recognize and acknowledge the labor upon which our country, state, and institution are built. We remember that our country is built on the labor of enslaved people who were kidnapped and brought to the US from the African continent and recognize the continued contribution of their survivors. We also acknowledge all immigrant labor including voluntary, involuntary, tracked, forced, and undocumented peoples who contributed to the building of the country and continue to serve within our labor force. We acknowledge all unpaid care-giving labor. Finally, we acknowledge that our institution relies on hourly, student, contingent, and unpaid labor and we recognize those contributions.
I am very pleased to introduce the 2024 Climate Action Plan. This plan is another significant milestone in our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. 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.
This Climate Action Plan is a comprehensive roadmap that outlines our strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, fostering a culture of sustainability across our campus, and much more. It reflects our common concern about the well-being of our community and the planet, and our shared support for initiatives to combat climate change and to mitigate its impacts.
We understand that the journey towards our goals like carbon neutrality or zero waste can be both
challenging and rewarding. This plan is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our students, faculty, staff, and partners who have worked tirelessly to change culture to allow innovative solutions for a more sustainable future. It is also a celebration of the achievements that have brought us to this point. From renovations ensuring LEED® certifications to the integration of best practices in energy efficiency to innovative practices in our landscaping design, every step we take is a stride towards a greener, more sustainable tomorrow.
I invite you to a continued partnership in this crucial endeavor and I thank you for your support and
commitment to continued, meaningful climate action. I hope this plan brings a sense of hope and a sense of urgency to the work we can do together to support and advance our shared eorts. Together, we can create a legacy of resilience and responsibility, paving the way for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable world.
David May, Ph.D.
President, Bellevue College
Bellevue College: By the Numbers
