After growing up in a small, progressive town, I don’t think I truly understood the global climate crisis until I was released, aka went to college, from what felt like my bubble. I was shocked, and unpleasantly surprised, about how common daily practices for me, such as recycling, using reusable water bottles or shopping local, […]

Completing an initial Campus-Community Resilience Assessment is the second step in implementing the Climate and Resilience Commitments. This document compiles a list of schools that have completed their Campus-Community Resilience Assessments. The outcomes from these assessments may be helpful for schools beginning the Resilience Assessment process for their own campuses.

We are learning, growing, and committed to moving beyond the land acknowledgement. Reflection We understand the importance of amplifying the voices, histories, knowledge, and lived experiences of communities that have been on the frontlines of multiple devastating crises. In the spirit of the Summit’s theme of fostering “courageous conversations and radical collaborations,” Second Nature and […]

Pro Bono Consulting Opportunity The Pro Bono Consulting opportunity was first announced in Fall 2020, as a new Solutions Center initiative. Provided and sponsored by Second Nature partners Brailsford & Dunlavey and Coho (formerly CustomerFirst Renewables). Through this service, 23 campuses have received technical and advisory support worth up to $20,000 each to help with climate […]

This document gives a brief overview of common types of carbon offset projects and provides examples of each. Understanding the types of activities that can generate carbon offsets can aid campuses in evaluating offset purchases and deciding which projects to support.

This decision tree is designed to help campuses determine which types of carbon offsets (peer-reviewed or innovative through the Offset Network, or traditional 3rd party verified through the voluntary carbon market) are best aligned with institutional goals. It is also designed to help campuses consider whether they should develop new carbon offset projects, or purchase offsets through existing projects.

The Carbon Offset Procurement Resources aid institutions in understanding carbon offsets and in deciding which carbon offsets best suit their goals. This page provides a variety of tools that supply background knowledge, selection guidance, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Higher education institutions engage in many different types of emission reduction activities to achieve campus carbon neutrality. Recently, many schools have become interested in purchasing carbon offsets to counteract their unavoidable travel-related Scope 3 emissions. Data Analysis I looked at the data that Signatories, higher ed institutions that have signed commitments to climate action, reported […]

One only needs to follow the news to see that the devastating impacts of climate change that scientists have been warning about for decades are now on our doorstep. The past six months have seen raging fires swallow an entire community in California, Hurricane Florenceinundate North Carolina with three feet of rain, and disruptions to the polar vortex cause temperatures to plummet dangerously low in the Midwest. Outside of the United States, climate change is causing food shortages and creating refugees in many of the poorest nations on earth, which have contributed almost nothing to the problem.

Second Nature recommends a Climate Action Plan (CAP) including both carbon neutrality and climate resilience goals. An integrated CAP will help campuses think comprehensively about addressing climate change, and may highlight synergies between mitigation and adaptation strategies. This guidance document outlines how to set measurable resilience goals and targets, and how to complete the resilience […]

Bold commitments to climate action by higher education leaders have a significant impact at their institution and beyond. Presidents or Chancellors must sign one of the 3 commitments to join the network. 1. Before Signing Investigate We have developed resources to help you determine the best fit for your institution out of the 3 commitment options. […]

The Climate Leadership Network is comprised of colleges and universities across all 50 states including the District of Columbia, who have committed to take action on climate and prepare students through research and education to solve the challenges of the 21st century.

Overview of Planning Themes Signatory institutions agree to develop a climate action plan for becoming climate neutral and by which defined thresholds of resilience will be met. This climate action plan is to be developed within three years of the implementation start date, and should include a target date as well as interim milestones for […]