FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Applications are now open to all Second Nature member institutions for fourteen new pathways grounded in science-aligned guidance, to raise ambition and lower barriers to climate action.
Cambridge, MA (September 24, 2026) – Second Nature’s new Climate Action Milestones program is now open to all member institutions, and the first seven colleges and universities in the Climate Leadership Network have earned the inaugural sixteen milestones. The program is intended to mobilize a broader suite of higher education’s assets towards climate action, guide progress, and recognize achievement. The milestones complement Second Nature’s Climate Leadership Commitments, the signed presidential commitments that have anchored the Climate Leadership Network for more than two decades.
Climate Action Milestones are how higher education institutions demonstrate progress on climate action with raised ambition and lower barriers to creating impactful climate solutions. They were introduced under Unify for Climate, a call to action Second Nature announced at the 2026 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit.
Raising Ambition Under Pressure
Colleges and universities are being asked to do more with less. Federal funding cuts, enrollment declines, and sustained political pressure have consumed institutional bandwidth at exactly the moment climate action requires more of it, and the most common casualty is not ambition itself, but the capacity to document and act on it. Climate Action Milestones are built for that reality. Campus climate leaders can apply directly, using institutional data they already maintain, across fourteen categories ranging from investment in decarbonization, leadership in indirect emissions, to education integration, inclusive governance, community collaboration, and more. Applications are reviewed and verified before recognition is awarded.
“We often think that climate action is only defined as reductions in carbon emissions. It is that, but the Climate Action Milestones program recognizes actions that are much more comprehensive than just mitigation. It’s an important way for us to widen the opportunity for leadership to those within higher education who truly are making an impact,” said Tim Carter, President of Second Nature.
Backed by Science-Aligned Climate Standards
The Climate Action Milestones program sits within Second Nature’s Climate Action Guidance, a suite of science-aligned climate standards for higher education. The guidance defines how to make progress; the milestones mark institutional achievements along the way. Second Nature is committed to a program that will reduce barriers to climate leadership while increasing the clarity, credibility, and collective impact of institutional action.
The evaluation requirements for each milestone are set by the guidance built over the past two years with stakeholder input from campuses across the sector, aligned with frameworks including the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, ISO standards, the Science Based Targets initiative, AASHE STARS, and the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability.
“Second Nature’s Climate Action Milestones program encourages higher education institutions to be more agile in addressing climate impacts, stepping up in new ways and educating the climate leaders of tomorrow,” said Justin Schwartz, Chancellor of the University of Colorado Boulder. “Higher education plays a key role in driving impact on sustainability and climate, especially through research, education and collaboration that drive real change. As a leader in climate research and implementation, and as the host institution for the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability, CU Boulder is proud to help advance ways to recognize and support institutions integrating sustainability and climate action across their academic missions.”
The Milestones Pilot Cohort
The seven Second Nature members below earned the inaugural Climate Action Milestones through a pilot that tested the review and verification process ahead of opening applications to all members. Together they earned sixteen milestones in seven categories.
|
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 |
“The University of Pittsburgh is honored to be recognized with three inaugural Second Nature Climate Action Milestones. Our commitment to carbon neutrality by 2037 has been heavily informed by existing greenhouse gas inventories, which have been led by Pitt graduate students since 2010. Integrating educational experience with inclusive governance is a cornerstone of our climate action; since 2023, the PittCAP Capital Fund has ensured that University capital projects integrate emissions reduction opportunities at the speed and scale necessary to combat global climate change,” said Aurora Sharrard, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Sustainability, University of Pittsburgh.
“Receiving the Inclusive Governance milestone validates the University of Minnesota Rochester’s deep commitment to centering our students and community voices. By directly engaging students, faculty, staff, and partners throughout our Campus and Climate Action planning process, we ensured that our climate strategy reflects the collective priorities of the broader Rochester community. This recognition celebrates our shared ownership of climate solutions as we continue working together toward lasting impact,” said Amanda Kohn, Senior Sustainability Project Manager, University of Minnesota Rochester.
Applying
Climate Action Milestone applications are now open to Second Nature member institutions at secondnature.org/milestonesapply. Learn more about applying in our supplemental guide. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and milestones will be awarded as review is completed.
Institutions interested in joining the Climate Leadership Network, please contact us at [email protected].
For more information:
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About Second Nature
Second Nature is committed to accelerating climate action in, and through, higher education. By mobilizing a diverse array of higher education institutions to act on bold climate commitments, Second Nature scales campus climate initiatives and creates innovative climate solutions. Learn more at secondnature.org.
Media Contact:
Bari Samad
Communications & Marketing Director, Second Nature
[email protected] · 619-343-6509
