Today, we are inviting higher education to engage with the Climate Action Milestones Program. Read the full press release.
This program was developed to more fully recognize the climate action journey, mobilize a broad suite of higher education’s influence, and turn up our ambitions as a sector. There are 14 milestones in different categories from decarbonization to governance, education to community collaboration. It’s important for higher education to upskill ourselves, our students, and our communities to address the climate emergency. This program is one way we endeavor to drive necessary change to meet those aims.
Seven colleges and universities earned the first sixteen Climate Action Milestones this week, in a year when the higher education sector, facing myriad pressures, had every reason to do less on climate. The pilot milestones cohort put work they had already done through an external review against rigorously developed standards, and it held up.
| Campus Name | Milestones Earned |
| Miami University | Leadership in Campus Decarbonization (50%); Investment in Decarbonization |
| University of Pittsburgh | Investment in Decarbonization; Inclusive Governance; Education Integration |
| University of Minnesota Crookston | Education Integration; Inclusive Governance |
| University of Minnesota Rochester | Inclusive Governance |
| University of Minnesota Twin Cities | Inclusive Governance; Education Integration; Community Collaboration; Research |
| University of Minnesota Duluth | Community Collaboration; Research; Education Integration |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Leadership in Indirect Emissions |
(Sample awards badges)
“These Second Nature awards validate the extraordinary work across Miami’s campus to drive sustainable change. True leadership demands turning climate commitments into tangible execution through purpose, accountability, and action. Achieving a 50% carbon reduction and earning national recognition for our strategic investments proves we aren’t merely participating in the climate conversation—we are setting the standard.” – Gregory Crawford, Miami University President
“This kind of work gives students the opportunity to apply what they’re learning in a real setting. They’re able to engage directly with the landscape, understand how management decisions are made and see the impact of their work on campus.” – Aaron Rudolph, Assistant Professor in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department, University of Minnesota Crookston
“The Climate Action Milestones create an innovative space to share our decarbonization and climate resilience journey at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. They especially shine a light on the breadth of research and community-engaged work happening across our campus, spanning health, community resilience, sustainable building, environmental justice, technology, policy, global equity, and well-being.” -Kate Nelson, Director of Campus Sustainability, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
What the Climate Action Milestones recognize
Two decades ago, the Climate Leadership Commitments gave our sector a definition of climate leadership a president could sign and a network could hold in common, and that work continues. The milestones complement the Commitments and do something different. They motivate and recognize progress along the way: what a campus has accomplished in transitioning an energy system, crafting climate curriculum, or reenvisioning how climate decisions get made.
The fourteen Climate Action Milestones diversify where campuses can turn their attention in advancing their climate action. Some milestones measure emissions directly. Other milestones recognize what makes decarbonization possible and durable: how an institution funds it, who it brings into the decision, how it connects to teaching and research, what it builds alongside its surrounding community. An institution can earn more than one, which is how seven institutions earned sixteen across seven pathways in this first round. All fourteen are described in detail in our supplemental guide.
Achievement of these milestones also means we learn from each other. Second Nature is committed to platforming success so that we can give the sector more tools to advance, reduce barriers to achievement, and demonstrate replicable lessons to equip us to accomplish more.
The pilot provided an opportunity to smooth our wrinkles before unveiling the submission form widely. Second Nature gained valuable feedback that was incorporated in the materials you see today.
Applying
Milestone applications are open to all Climate Leadership Network members, including Signatories, UC3, and Affiliates, regardless of size, location, country, or budget. If your institution is not yet part of the Climate Leadership Network, start here.
Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Special thanks
I would like to thank Aaron Durnbaugh from Loyola University for his leadership in helping develop milestones as well as the entire Commitments 3.0 working group for their guidance and direction throughout the creation of this program. Thank you, too, to the pilot campuses for testing the submission form and sharing feedback that allowed us to get to this point. Thank you to the researchers and practitioners who helped Second Nature establish appropriate targets in a broad suite of climate action. And thank you to campuses who will achieve milestones that will change lives and lay the groundwork for other institutions to build on their progress.
