Progress Report for Community College of Denver
Submitted on May 15, 2012; Last updated on Nov. 21, 2012
The Progress Report is intended to help signatories assess and track progress toward the goals outlined
in their Climate Action Plans and to share that progress with their stakeholders and the general public.
click on a section heading below to expand its content; click again to collapse
General Statement of Progress
The Community College of Denver is growing. In 2010 the concept for the Student Learning and Engagement Building was presented to the students, who were asked to vote on the building proposal. They expressed their approval and the planning process started. Interim President of CCD Cliff Richardson said, “With the increase in enrollment over the last few years, the need for additional classroom space was critical. The student support was fundamental as we moved forward with the planning of the new building. We are excited to start and to complete this project and be able to provide our students with the best possible environment for learning.”
However, an expanding building “footprint” poses the growing challenge of addressing gross greenhouse gas emissions. Programs such as the Auraria Campus Sustainability Council and the Sustainable Campus Program are already underway to engage students, faculty, and staff in the active participation required to foster sustainable change. Perhaps most importantly, the Community College of Denver continues to provide an affordable option for students to become more informed and more engaged – embracing the reality of climate change and the pursuit of sustainability.
GHG Emissions & Reduction Targets
| Climate Neutrality Target Date: | 2099 |
|---|
| Interim Milestone Emission-Reduction Target | Target Date | Baseline* |
|---|---|---|
| 20% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2 Emissions | by 2020 | relative to baseline emissions in 2008 |
| 50% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2 Emissions | by 2030 | relative to baseline emissions in 2008 |
| 80% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2, 3 Emissions | by 2050 | relative to baseline emissions in 2008 |
| 100% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2, 3 Emissions | by 2099 | relative to baseline emissions in 2008 |
GHGs summary
| Reporting Year | Gross Emissions | Net Emissions | Full Time Enrollments | Total Bldg. Sq. Ft. | [action] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 11315.0 | 8867.0 | 5443.0 | 383956.0 | [ view ] |
| 2010 | 7757.0 | 4175.0 | 6661.0 | 303115.0 | [ view ] |
| 2011 | 9328.43 | 5746.43 | 8273.0 | 343781.0 | [ view ] |
-
Change in GHG gross emissions
-1986.57
The majority of the increase in gross emissions from FY10 to FY11 is most likely due to the fact that the percentage of institutional space occupied by the Community College of Denver increased from 12.9% in FY10 to 14.55% in FY11. Moreover, the emissions factor that was calculated given our local utility's fuel mix yielded a disproportionate increase in MTCO2e for the institution.
-
Change in GHG emissions per 1000 sq.ft. building space
-2.33471870631
The increase in GHG/SF from FY10 to FY11 is most likely due to the new Science building only being open for half of FY 10. Conversely, the FY11 GHG report accounted for a whole year of energy consumption from this relatively energy-intense building (i.e. known intensity of lab space). -
Change in GHG emissions per full time enrollment (FTE)
-0.951241584182
Education, Research, & Community Engagement
Curriculum
How is your institution making climate neutrality and sustainability a part of the curriculum and other educational experiences for all students?
The Community College of Denver (CCD) is the “leading point of entry to higher education for the City and County of Denver.” At CCD, a diverse student body receives an affordable and high-quality education that is inclusive to non-traditional students. While in attendance, students are exposed to a variety of opportunities to engage in climate change and sustainability-related educational experiences. Examples include:
Study Abroad for Sustainability:
Fleur Ferro, Assistant Professor for Biology in the Center for Math & Science at Community College of Denver (CCD) was selected to participate in the 2012 Madison College Capacity Building for Study Abroad Grant, including travel to Costa Rica in January 2012.
Ferro traveled to Costa Rica in January to learn about designing a study abroad course with an emphasis on renewable energy and sustainable development. Ferro and a committee at CCD will then develop a science focused study abroad program to Costa Rica. The first group of students to participate in the CCD Costa Rica Study Abroad Program is tentatively scheduled for fall 2012.
Academic Major Examples:
Biosystems Engineering Major: Applying engineering principles to biological processes and materials to develop alternative energy sources, beneficial products, and to provide alternative strategies for dealing with household, agricultural, industrial, and municipal wastes.
Environmental Studies/Science
Related Courses:
• AEC 218 Sustainable Building Systems
Investigates the technologies and strategies related to sustainable (green) materials and systems for buildings. Topics include: energy and environmental consciousness/regulations; the high performance building envelope; alternative construction techniques (adobe, cob, rammed earth, straw bale); microclimate/site factors; sustainable/green materials; and passive solar; active thermal solar, photovoltaic energy, wind energy conversion, on-site water use/reuse and waste disposal systems.
• SOC 207 Environmental Sociology
Examination of humans and the environment from an ecological perspective. Focuses on industrial and economic growth versus sustainability, natural resources development and management, environmental values and social movements, and comparative perspectives on people’s relationship to the environment. Review of the “Green” movement and other environmental movements and their impacts upon social dynamics, the environment, and the evolution of social movements.
• ENV 101 Environmental Science
Provides an introduction to the basic concepts of ecology and the relationship between environmental problems and biological systems. Includes interdisciplinary discussions on biology, chemistry, geology, energy, natural resources, pollution, and environmental protection. Using a holistic approach, students will study how the foundations of natural sciences interconnect with the environment. This course includes laboratory experience.
• GEO 107 Physical Geography
Focuses on the study of the spatial relationship between humans and the natural environment.
• PAR 217 Environmental Law
Covers state and federal laws concerning the environment, including chemical safety laws workplace safety, and hazardous waste.
• PHI 218 Environmental Ethics
Critically analyzes theories of value of the natural world. Topics include the relation between
scientific and moral principles; theories of the moral worth of persons, animals, plants and other natural objects; historical, religious and cultural influences on conceptions of nature; alternative accounts of human relationships and responsibilities to nature, including deep ecology and eco-feminism; and the connection between moral and political values and economic policies.
Does your institution offer an undergraduate degree program(s) related to climate change/sustainability?
No
Does your institution offer a graduate degree program in climate change/sustainability?
No
Co-Curriculum
Does your institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?
No
Research
If applicable, how is your institution expanding research efforts toward the achievement of climate neutrality research?
The Community College of Denver does not conduct significant amounts of climate-related research.Does your institution have a program to encourage student climate and or sustainability research?
No
Does your institution have a program to encourage faculty climate and or sustainability research?
No
Community Engagement
How is your institution expanding community outreach efforts toward the achievement of climate neutrality?
The Community College of Denver does not conduct significant amounts of community outreach efforts towards the achievement of climate neutrality.Does your institution participate in community climate change and or sustainability partnerships?
No
Has your institution advocated for federal, state, and/or local public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance your goal of climate neutrality?
No
Energy & Finances
Energy Efficiency Projects
Number of Energy Efficiency Retrofit Projects planned, but not yet implemented:
2Number of Energy Efficiency Retrofit Projects completed since signing the ACUPCC:
1Number of buildings that have received a green building certification since signing the ACUPCC:
0Number of green buildings planned or scheduled for completion in the next 2 years:
1For all buildings, the green building certification/rating used is:
USGBC:LEED
Renewable Energy
Annual output (in kWhs) for each renewable energy system utilized by Community College of Denver
- Solar output: 9158 kWh
- Annual renewable energy purchased: 5873534 kWh
- Other GHG mitigation efforts:
A tri-institutional fee is collected on behalf of the Sustainable Campus Program (SCP) which allocates money toward a variety of sustainability-related projects on campus. Specifically, 35.5% of the revenue collected is budgeted for energy efficiency projects aimed at reducing the Auraria Campus’ carbon footprint. Other funding categories include alternative transportation, renewable energy, water conservation, food and gardens, education and outreach, and a paid full-time Sustainability Officer. (www.sustainableauraria.org )
Financial Data
savings...Has your Climate Action Plan and/or related sustainability efforts saved your institution money so far, e.g. by reducing operational expenses?
not sureAmount spent on CAP projects:
$1-10M
Financial resources (dollar amount) secured from outside sources to support mitigation efforts related to the Climate Action Plan (grants, gifts, etc...) :
100000Additional information on secured outside funding:
http://www.ccd.edu/ccd.nsf/html/Breaking+New+Ground
- Financing Methods utilized for Mitigation or Renewable Energy Projects:
- Student Green Fees