Vision, key themes and focus areas
Our vision
Leverage NSCC’s leadership in environmental sustainability to serve as a catalyst for the integration of climate change action within the College and our communities.
Key themes
The Plan focuses on three key themes: Mitigation, Adaptation, and Education. Each key theme has specific focus areas that will contribute to the success of the plan.
Mitigation
Climate change mitigation means addressing the cause of climate change by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. Mitigation efforts will be primarily focused on capital planning and operations of physical infrastructure. The crucial component for successful implementation will be integrating climate-focused solutions to existing capital plan goals. A key area for development is a funding mechanism for strategic investment in climate-focused projects to support our long-term goal of net-zero carbon emissions.
Adaptation
Climate change adaptation means acting to reduce risks and take advantage of opportunities from the effects of climate change that we are already experiencing as well as those that we will face in the future. Adaptation efforts will focus on conducting assessments of our climate risks and vulnerabilities and planning responses at an institutional level. Assessment will include coordination with stakeholders responsible for implementation of other college plans and policies, as well as campus management teams. Due to the Sustainability Team’s connection to stakeholder groups through both STARS and the UN SDGS, this group is best positioned to conduct this assessment, identify actions, and recommend solutions to ensure NSCC can build capacity, anticipate and react to climate threats. As the College builds internal capacity, we can also begin to engage with external stakeholders to increase the climate resilience of our neighbours and communities.
Education
NSCC was built on a simple but powerful foundation: learning ignites the potential of individuals, industries, and communities. At its best, learning is an act of service, and at NSCC, we are a community of lifelong learners in service to the future of our province. Monumental environmental forces across the globe are reshaping the opportunities and risks facing post-secondary institutions as they steward their future success. These forces include worsening climate change, acceleration to the low carbon economy, and the growing intersection between social equality and environmental sustainability. NSCC is committed to helping Nova Scotians both prepare for climate change-related careers and corresponding sector disruptions, as well as helping our communities respond to emerging climate opportunities and threats. Climate adaptation and mitigation research, planning outreach and strategy should take into consideration co-benefits of solutions which can support adaptation, mitigation and climate resilience.