Energy and climate action
NSCC is 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.
Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
Much of NSCC’s infrastructure originates from the 1960s and 1970s. This presents a prime opportunity for innovation within NSCC’s built environment. As we modernize our facilities, we must move forward with technologies that both reduce our energy consumption and change the type of energy we use. Strategies such as energy efficiency, fuel switching, support for sustainable transportation, and production of green electricity are all vital components of net-zero facility operations.
By aligning future projects with our climate change goals, NSCC can meet its emissions reduction targets while also meeting operational requirements. This year, our greenhouse gas emissions were down 43% from our 2008 baseline year, putting us on track to meet our goal of a 60% reduction by 2030.
Goals for 2023/24
- Implement NSCC's Climate Change Action Plan.
- Install 11 level 2 EV Chargers at various Campuses.
- Install 75kW of solar panels at Lunenburg Campus.
- Begin teaching climate literacy microcredential for trades.
Recap of 2022/23
- NSCC doubled the number of EV charging stations at campuses from 14 to 28.
Climate Change Action Plan
For over 15 years, sustainability has been a driving force for Nova Scotia Community College. It is a core value of the College and is one of the many areas in which we strive to lead by example. In 2022, NSCC released our new Strategic Plan, Our Time is Now, which highlights climate change as one of NSCC’s priority areas of impact – a key challenge for our province for which we can develop solutions.
The NSCC Climate Change Action Plan outlines a pathway for our institution to make a significant impact on the sustainable development of our province as we work with our communities to address climate change. The Plan builds upon the foundation of already established College plans, policies and procedures and was formed after consultation with the NSCC community and participation in provincial and municipal climate planning initiatives.
The content of the Action Plan focuses on three key themes: Mitigation, Adaptation, and Education. Each theme contains several strategies tailored to the unique nature of our institution. Together, these themes and strategies complement each other and have the potential to build upon existing NSCC capacity to create a culture of innovation and continuous improvement that will inspire the workforce of tomorrow.
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 primarily focus on capital planning and operations of physical infrastructure. Mitigation goals include improving energy efficiency, electrification of our heating systems, production of renewable energy, and support for electric vehicles.
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 and those we will face in the future. Adaptation goals include improving our resilience to climate impacts, expanding, and improving our green spaces, and supporting communities as they adapt to our changing climate.
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. NSCC is committed to helping Nova Scotians prepare for climate change-related careers and corresponding sector disruptions, as well as helping our communities respond to emerging climate opportunities and threats.
To read our Climate Change Action Plan, see Appendix A
Renewable energy
NSCC operates solar panel installations at Ivany, Strait Area, Shelburne, and Annapolis Valley Campuses. These installations generate 264 kilowatts of renewable energy for Nova Scotia's power grid. A fifth installation on the rooftop of the Lunenburg Campus is in progress and is expected to be finished this fall. This installation will increase our total capacity will increase to 339 kilowatts, equivalent to the energy required for powering 35 homes annually.
Community support during climate emergencies
When Nova Scotia was impacted by devastating wildfires, the College provided support for affected community members, including emergency bursaries for students impacted by the wildfires. NSCC Burridge Campus was able to provide emergency services when it took in 60 seniors from a nursing home in Shelburne County. With on-site kitchen and laundry services and 10 hospital beds in a Continuing Care program space, Burridge Campus was well suited to accommodate the nursing home residents.
Our Lunenburg Campus also opened its doors to flooding evacuees as a Red Cross comfort centre after the severe rainfall event Nova Scotia experienced in July.
Our province will continue to face more frequent climate impacts such as this year’s wildfires, flooding, and hurricanes, and NSCC will be there to provide the support our communities require.
Support for alternative transportation
Through the College’s SDG Fund, our sustainability team supported the purchase of bicycles and e-bikes, which will be loaned to students at multiple campuses – free of charge – to support sustainable transportation to and from NSCC. We hope that free, short-term bike loans will allow students living or studying on campus better access to our communities for off-campus support.
