San Diego CC District Increases Minimum Wage to $30 Per Hour
Agreed to in partnership with the district’s labor unions and effective Jan. 1, 2024, the minimum wage was increased to $30.58 per hour for all permanent employees, a living wage as defined by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Living Wage Calculator. In addition, minimum wages for temporary employees increased to $22.31 per hour.
Trinity College Dublin Releases Sustainability Strategy
The university's newly published Sustainability Strategy 2023-2030 focuses on environmental sustainability, specifically climate change, biodiversity loss and human health, with a lens of health an equity. Key targets include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 51 percent by 2030 and reaching net zero emissions by 2040 across all categories of emissions; be nature positive by 2030 by conserving at least 30 percent of land area, and supporting a cultural shift to recognize the interrelatedness of planetary and human health.
Northern Michigan U Finalizes Carbon Neutrality Plan
The plan calls for reducing emissions by 25 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040, then eliminating remaining emissions by 2050. It includes five key strategies for achieving its goal: reduced energy use; optimized infrastructure to minimize operational costs and emissions; a “right size” campus physical footprint to maximize use and efficiency of new and existing spaces; renewable energy investments; and increased carbon sequestration on university land.
Energy Dept Funds Research on Clean Energy & Decarbonization
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $17.4 million to 17 institutions of higher education primarily serving traditionally underrepresented communities to support novel, early-stage research on topics such as carbon capture, carbon dioxide removal, carbon conversion, and hydrogen with carbon management.
McGill U Divests From Direct Holdings
The university recently announced divestment from all direct holdings in fossil-fuel companies listed in the Carbon Underground 200, for implementation in 2024 and completion in 2025.
Middlebury College Adds Solar Electricity
New photovoltaic panels are being installed on the Middlebury Institute of International Studies campus in Monterey, California, and are expected to generate over 60 percent of the total campus electricity use. The project was made possible through a 20-year power purchase agreement with a third party, which financed the project and will own and operate the solar arrays.
Columbia U Commits to Reduce Food-Based Carbon Emissions
The university recently signed onto the Plant-Powered Carbon Challenge, a New York City-wide initiative to reduce carbon emissions through plant-forward food. Columbia Dining has committed to reducing its food-based carbon emissions 25% by 2030 through a plant-powered procurement strategy for its dining operations.
