Media Release
New Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College to Accelerate Region's Move to Low-Carbon Economy
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HAMILTON (Dec. 15, 2017) - A new partnership to make the region a North American leader in the low-carbon economy was announced this morning at Mohawk College.
Mohawk officially launched the Centre for Climate Change Management in collaboration with the Ontario government and the cities of Hamilton and Burlington. The centre is the first of its kind at an Ontario college and will help accelerate the region’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
The Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College will focus on four priority areas:
- Supporting the adoption of the Burlington Community Energy Plan, the Hamilton Community Climate Change Action Plan, the Ontario Climate Change Action Plan and the Pan-Canadian framework on clean growth and climate change through the centre’s Bay Area Climate Change Coordinating Office.
- Helping regional businesses measure, track and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through an Industry Partnership Office in collaboration with Sustainable Hamilton Burlington. The office will also provide experiential learning opportunities for Mohawk students to work with industry partners.
- Sharing best practices in reducing greenhouse gas emissions among Ontario’s 24 colleges through a Campus Carbon Management Office.
- Encouraging Mohawk students to learn, live and lead on sustainability through a Campus Sustainability Office.
The Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College will be led by Executive Director Sandi Stride, founder of Sustainable Hamilton Burlington. The $1.9 million centre is funded by the province, the cities of Hamilton and Burlington and Mohawk.
The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation will be the future home for the Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College. The 96,000 square foot Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation currently under construction at the Fennell campus is Canada’s largest, and the region’s first, net zero institutional building.
“We are investing proceeds from Ontario’s carbon market to support innovative, community-led action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. Multi-sector partnerships play a key role in helping Ontario fight climate change and transition to a low-carbon economy. Mohawk’s Centre for Climate Change Management will help support these efforts and demonstrates the commitment and action local leaders share in the fight against climate change.”
“Transitioning to a low carbon economy has been a key part of our efforts to tackle climate change. It’s wonderful to be a part of such a collaborative and innovative partnership that will ensure that our future generations will have the healthy environment that they want and deserve. This initiative will engage Hamilton and Burlington residents, students, businesses and communities in efforts towards mitigating climate change.”
“Mohawk’s Centre for Climate Change Management will harness the dedication, skills and expertise of the academic and public sectors and not-for-profits to identify and solve local challenges to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This multi-sector partnership is a great example of leadership and collaboration, and how we are tackling climate change at a local level and achieving more together than we could do alone.”
“Hamilton, Burlington, Mohawk College and the Ontario Government have a long history of effectively working together. It makes sense for us to work together now to combat climate change. The Bay Area Climate Change Partnership is an exciting next step to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions in Hamilton and Burlington.”
“This is a significant milestone for our region and a proud moment as we move forward to become the North American leader in the low-carbon economy. Burlington is honoured to be one of the partners launching the Centre for Climate Change Management, where collaborative efforts will be made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and new leaders and ideas will be born."
“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a priority for our college, region, province and country. While it’s a big challenge, it offers great opportunities. The Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College will help our industry, government, community and education partners to demonstrate leadership in a low-carbon economy. The centre will also create unique opportunities for Mohawk students to both gain real-world experience and make meaningful contributions to the environment and the economy.”
“The Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College will serve as a catalyst for real action on climate change in the region. Our centre will also serve as a clearinghouse and champion for best practices and innovative solutions for a more prosperous and sustainable future.”
FAST FACTS:
- The Ontario Climate Change Action Plan ensures that proceeds from the province’s cap and trade program are invested in a transparent and accountable way back into green projects that will help households and businesses reduce greenhouse gas pollution and save on their energy costs. The plan outlines the key actions the government will take to combat climate change, create good jobs in clean tech and construction, increase consumer choice and generate opportunities for investment in Ontario.
- Burlington’s Community Energy Plan is a 20-year plan, and was created with support from local community stakeholders. The plan outlines a roadmap to help the community conserve energy, reduce its carbon footprint, commit to a sustainable and secure supply of energy, and improve energy resilience. It provides a plan of action for today, and creates an active forum for collaboration to achieve shared goals over longer timeframes.
- The Hamilton Climate Change Action Plan is comprised of 10 priority actions aimed at reducing local greenhouse gas emissions by 283,467 tonnes of CO2, creating savings of $69.1 million for households, businesses and government, and creating the equivalent of 1,123 full time jobs in Hamilton.
- Mohawk was the first college in Ontario to adopt an Environmental Management Plan in 2011. Mohawk exceeded its 20 per cent reduction target for baseline carbon emissions six years ahead of schedule and has since adopted a new EMP with more aggressive reduction targets.
- Mohawk has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the past four consecutive years in recognition of its leadership in environmental sustainability.
- The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation is one of 10 sites for a Canada Green Building Council Net Zero Building Standard pilot project.
- Sustainable Hamilton Burlington is a non-profit social enterprise focused on supporting businesses in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
CONTACTS:
Mohawk College – Jay Robb, Director of Communications, 905.979.8893, jay.robb@mohawkcollege.ca
Mohawk College educates and serves more than 29,500 full-time, part-time, apprenticeship and international students at three main campuses in Hamilton, Ontario and learning hubs across Hamilton through City School by Mohawk, and at the College’s Centre for Aviation Technology at the Hamilton International Airport. Mohawk is among the top five colleges for applied research in Canada. It has been named one of Canada’s greenest employers seven years in a row, holds a GOLD STARS rating from AASHE for sustainability achievements and is home to the country’s largest and first institutional building to receive dual certification for Zero Carbon Building Framework design and performance for The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation. More than 135,000 people have graduated from Mohawk since it was founded.