FPSE Climate Action Standing Committee Meeting Report

Prepared with files from Marty Donatelli, CCFA representative to the FPSE Climate Action Standing Committee.

Photo credit: “Array of Hope, Sept 2024” by gbryan CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 – Alan Batey Library and Learning Commons solar data (live feed) Public site for Enphase microinverters displaying live data from Camosun’s Array of Hope solar installation.

The FPSE Climate Action Standing Committee (CASC) met on February 27–28, 2026, with the CCFA represented by Marty Donatelli. Members engaged in productive discussions about ongoing climate action initiatives, future priorities, and opportunities for collaboration across FPSE locals.

Committee Chair Rosalind provided an overview of the committee’s recent activities and accomplishments, including discussions around building a broader community of practice for climate action within FPSE. Members also highlighted upcoming webinars, including The Changing Climate of Work, held on March 11.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on future planning. CASC discussed priorities for the coming year, including:

• resource sharing among locals,
• support for climate-related bargaining language,
• outreach and education initiatives,
• development of a climate action “Lib Guide,” and
• expanded support for local climate action committees.

The committee also reviewed FPSE’s 2025–2026 Strategic Priorities and Ongoing Commitments document and discussed ways to strengthen engagement among committee members and FPSE locals. To better understand participation challenges, CASC members agreed to distribute a survey to committee representatives. Marty Donatelli and Lauren from Local 6 volunteered to help develop and distribute the survey.

Another survey aimed at FPSE members more broadly is also being developed, with Marty assisting Steve from Local 17 on revisions and new questions.

Climate Action at Camosun

As part of the meeting, Marty provided an update on climate action and sustainability work taking place at Camosun College.

C4 Committee Activities

Camosun’s climate action committee, known as C4, continues to bring together faculty, staff, administration, and students to advance sustainability initiatives across the college. The committee is currently chaired by Frank Jankunis and meets approximately every two months.

C4 continues to work with the college’s administrative climate champion, Evan Hinkley, and remains focused on outreach, education, sustainability planning, and promotion of climate action initiatives.

Outreach and Education

C4 participated in several recent college events, including:

• the February 19 “Conversations Day” employee event, where members connected with colleagues from across the institution; and
• a February 25 student information session, where the committee hosted a booth to promote sustainability and climate education initiatives.

The committee has also continued developing promotional materials, including updated visual handouts, a three-panel tradeshow display, and a webpage highlighting climate action and sustainability education opportunities at Camosun.

New climate-focused courses are also continuing to evolve. Climate Solutions (ENVR 100) has seen strong interest with full enrolment, while Climate Action Psychology (PSYC 290) was unable to run this term due to low enrolment. Advocacy also continues for the development of a climate action specialization within Associate of Arts and Associate of Science diploma programs, with the long-term goal of creating a standalone credential.

Sustainability Planning and Campus Initiatives

C4 members expressed ongoing concern that the college sustainability plan is now several years out of date, despite the hiring of a sustainability manager and continued recommendations from the committee regarding the plan’s development.

At the same time, several visible sustainability initiatives are underway on campus:

• solar panels installed on the library are now operational and are expected to offset up to 40% of the building’s energy use;
• the new student residence at Lansdowne campus is targeting LEED Platinum certification; and
• climate change remains one of the seven strategic priorities identified in the college’s institutional plan.

Members also noted that a climate emergency declaration requested by the Board several years ago has still not been formally adopted.

The next FPSE Climate Action Standing Committee meeting is expected to take place in Fall 2026.