Climate Change Action Plan Kickoff Event

Our Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) Kickoff Event on June 3 brought together students from across Montgomery County, both virtually and in-person, to begin the process of developing a comprehensive climate action plan for MCPS.

The SCAC opened with an MCPS sustainability update, providing participants with context on current district initiatives and progress toward climate goals. Following this, we explained what a Climate Change Action Plan entails and shared information from Prince George's County Public Schools' successful sustainability efforts, demonstrating what's possible when students and administrators collaborate on climate action.

The kickoff event was centered on Pillar 8 of the CCAP -- sparking student engagement in MCPS climate initiatives.

Student groups then presented their ongoing sustainability work, with organizations showcasing the variety of environmental initiatives already happening across MCPS schools. This portion highlighted the energy and creativity students are bringing to climate action in their individual schools and communities.

Our first major discussion centered on helping students feel heard within MCPS sustainability efforts. Participants shared their experiences with district policies, identified barriers they've encountered, and explored ways to strengthen student voice in climate decision-making. Students discussed both existing structures that could be expanded and new frameworks that might better center student perspectives in sustainability planning.

After these initial discussions, we presented the seven core pillars that will form the foundation of our Climate Change Action Plan: environmental safety and justice, environmental education, renewable energy, emissions reductions in buildings and transportation, climate-resilient land management, and food waste reduction. Each pillar represents a critical area where MCPS can advance climate action while ensuring student voices remain central to implementation.

The highlight of our event was rotating breakout discussions, where participants explored the pillars that most interested them. Students cycled through three different pillar-focused groups, examining current conditions at their schools, envisioning goals for the future, and identifying gaps that need to be addressed. These conversations covered everything from indoor air quality and HVAC efficiency to composting programs and outdoor classroom opportunities.

Students discuss ideas they have and potential solutions to include in the CCAP

We concluded by collecting takeaways through a feedback form that also provided opportunities for participants to sign up for continued involvement in developing specific pillars. This collaborative approach to climate action planning demonstrated the depth of knowledge and commitment students bring to sustainability work in MCPS, establishing the foundation for ongoing student engagement throughout the plan's development.