OVERVIEW:

Second Nature invites nominations from ACUPCC signatory institutions that demonstrate excellence in climate leadership. Applications must be sent to ACUPCC@secondnature.org by June 30th, 2010. 

Winners will be announced at the 4th annual Climate Leadership Summit of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) on October 12-13, 2010 in Denver, CO.

Recipients of these honorific awards will be highlighted throughout the ACUPCC network.

OBJECTIVE:

We love hearing about the terrific work that signatories are engaged in to move society to a sustainable future.  We want to share with the entire ACUPCC network and general public the best of the best examples of how higher education is shifting behavior on campus and within communities to make a low-carbon economy possible. Second Nature will present up to seven awards in the following categories:

Institutional Excellence in Climate Leadership – Up to five awards, one for each basic Carnegie Classification institution type:

• Doctorate Granting University
• Master’s Colleges & University
• Baccalaureate College
• Associate/Tribal College
• Special Focus Institutions

Outstanding Individual Climate Leadership – Up to two awards, one each given to a(n):

• President or Chancellor
• Implementation Liaison

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING NOMINATIONS:

Pre-requisites:

1. Institution must be a signatory to the ACUPCC
2. Institution must be in good standing with the ACUPCC (i.e. have no outstanding, overdue reports)

Award Criteria:  Institutional Excellence in Climate Leadership
Any signatory institution that meets the pre-requisites may nominate itself for an Award for Institutional Excellence in Climate Leadership. Please send a brief (500 word maximum) essay in word format outlining your institution’s climate leadership efforts. Applications will be evaluated based on a variety of criteria for climate leadership on campus including but not limited to the following:

1. Senior leadership
   How has your senior leadership (trustees, president, provost, business officer, facilities director) fostered broad, inclusive involvement from faculty, staff, and students, in the climate action planning and implementation process?
2. Learning Experiences
   In what ways has your campus provided formal and informal learning opportunities on climate disruption and sustainability? How is your campus addressing the academic and/or research aspects of the Commitment? How is your campus training faculty, staff, and administration on climate action?
3. Innovative Strategies & Financing
   In what creative ways has your campus invested in conservation, efficiency, demand reduction, and clean energy production? Have you partnered with utilities, suppliers, local communities, etc. to scale up investments in order to achieve greater GHG reductions? How has your campus utilized its social and political capital to reduce emissions not directly within the institution’s control?

Optional: Applicants are encouraged to send a supplemental video (5 minute max) that describes your institutions ACUPCC efforts.

Award Criteria: Outstanding Individual Climate Leadership
The Award for Outstanding Individual Climate Leadership provides an opportunity for Presidents or Chancellors to nominate and recognize the efforts of their institution’s Implementation Liaison; and Implementation Liaisons to nominate and recognize their President or Chancellor for their climate leadership. Nominations for the Individual Leadership Award must come from:

• A President or Chancellor nominating their Implementation Liaison
• An Implementation Liaison nominating their President or Chancellor

Please send a brief (500 word maximum) essay in word format outlining why you think your President/Chancellor or Implementation Liaison should be recognized for their outstanding individual leadership. Applications will be evaluated based on demonstrated individual climate leadership on campus using, but not limited to, the following criteria:

• How has the President, Chancellor, or Implementation Liaison fostered broad, inclusive involvement from faculty, staff, and students, in the climate action planning and implementation process?  What examples illustrate this individual’s leadership style, why they value the commitment, and what they aspire to achieve in the future?

Optional: Applicants are encouraged to send a supplemental video (5 minute max) interviewing this individual. 

SELECTION PROCESS:
Nominations will be evaluated and award winners will be selected by members of Second Nature Board not affiliated with ACUPCC institutions, in consultation with the Second Nature staff.