This year, the Office of Climate and Sustainability (OCS) deepened its commitment to community engagement by forging formal connections with the office of Duke Community Affairs (DCA) and hiring a Climate Program Manager as a liaison between climate and sustainability efforts and community partnerships. Regular meetings now support coordinated efforts, ensuring alignment with DCA’s Strategic Community Impact Plan (SCIP), which targets five areas: Housing Affordability and Infrastructure, Early Childhood and School Readiness, College and Career Readiness, Food Security and Nutrition, and Nonprofit Capacity. Guided by community feedback, this plan guides Duke’s climate and sustainability work as OCS seeks creative ways to integrate climate and sustainability initiatives within these strategic areas.
Additionally, the Office of Climate and Sustainability continues to support local and regional partnerships guided by DCA, including with Durham City and Durham County, on critical issues such as regional transportation and food security. Regular meetings ensure alignment in shared goals of building purposeful partnerships that drive impactful change.
One key initiative underway is leveraging DCA’s Partnerships Platform, a novel tool designed to increase visibility into the full breadth of Duke’s community work. The Office of Climate and Sustainability is working to promote the use of this platform, aiming to enhance awareness and foster more collaborative opportunities across campus.