The Implementer
Higher Education Leading on Climate
Produced by Second Nature
February 2016
In this issue…
LEAD

The John Merck Fund and Second Nature

New Report: Commitment Matters

Carbon Credit & Purchasing Program

LEARN

Educational Events

Resources

From the Second Nature Blog

CONNECT

Meet the Staff

LEAD
The John Merck Fund Awards Grant to Second Nature
Funds to be used to Expand Climate Leadership in New England

Second Nature is pleased to announce it is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from The John Merck Fund. The generous funding will go towards expanding climate leadership in New England and helping the region become a model for climate action nationwide. 

A post-graduate fellow will be hired to provide deep-dive analysis, support, and coordination for the new Climate Commitment signatories in the New England region, highlighting these schools as case studies across the national Network. Read More.

New Report Highlights Importance of Commitments
Signatories have 47% Lower Emissions

The University of New Hampshire (UNH), in collaboration with Sightlines, released a new report titled "The State of Sustainability in Higher Education." The report states that campuses that have signed Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly the ACUPCC) have 47% lower emissions from purchased energy than non-signatories (per square foot of built space). The report also found that signatories “are consuming, on average, 27% less energy” per square foot than non-signatories, in 2014. Read More.

Carbon Credit & Purchasing Program (C2P2)
New Pages and Resources

C2P2 is an initiative to support colleges and universities in developing and marketing carbon offsets to accelerate their progress towards campus carbon neutrality. Proceeds from carbon sales are invested into sustainability projects on campus, allowing schools to achieve greater emissions reductions. The program is managed by Second Nature in collaboration with Climate Neutral Business Network and is a continuation of the Campus Clean Energy Campaign. Read More.

LEARN
EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
FEB 19
Proposal Deadline: 2016 NECSC Conference
FEB 22
Proposal Deadline: AASHE 2016 Conference & Expo
FEB 24
NREL: Using PPAs for Solar Deployment at Universities
FEB 26
Call for Entries: SCUP 2016 Excellence Awards
MAR 31
2016 NECSC Conference, Wellesley College, MA
APRIL 3
SSCC 2016 Pre-Conference Workshop with Second Nature and MREA
APRIL 4
2016 Smart & Sustainable Campuses Conference (SSCC), Baltimore, MD
APRIL 22
Climate & Resilience Commitment Charter Period Closes
OCT 9
AASHE 2016 Conference & Expo, Baltimore, MD
Second Nature Events
Webinars
Deadlines + Proposals
Other Opportunities
RESOURCES
Data Metrics Working Group

Second Nature is seeking volunteers to serve on a working group that will assess the existing Second Nature Reporting System data metrics and help identify the most impactful data that drives action at individual campuses and demonstrates collective progress for the Climate Leadership Network.

 

If interested, please contact Steve Muzzy by February 17th for more information

NYC Carbon Challenge Handbook for Universities and Hospitals

The NYC Carbon Challenge Handbook for Universities and Hospitals is a reference manual that aggregates the best practices that participants have used to achieve significant GHG reductions in their buildings. The handbook highlights 15 success stories of Challenge participants through case studies and identifies potential pathways to achieve deeper reductions. The handbook caters to universities and hospitals, but it also serves as a tool for any individual who plays a role in elevating conversations and accelerating action on energy efficiency and sustainability within an organization. Download.

New from SEI: Pooled Green Revolving Funds for Under-Resourced Institutions

The BEST Fund (Building Energy Savings Together) is a pooled green revolving fund that will provide under-resourced institutions with the capital needed to invest in energy-efficiency projects on their campus. The Sustainable Endowments Institute (SEI) is currently accepting inquiries from institutions interested in participating in this pilot program in Spring 2016. To find out more about the BEST Fund, please email Dan Last. Read more.

Greenprint: Advancing a Competitive U.S. Workforce

National Wildlife Federation with Jobs for the Future and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation recently released a “Greenprint” titled, “Advancing A Competitive U.S. Workforce: A Plan to Equip 20 Million U.S. Community College Students with Sustainability Knowledge and Career Skills by 2025.” The goal of this Greenprint is to promote the role of community colleges as the nation’s gateway to jobs that protect the health of families, communities and the planet as these are among the best, fastest growing, and most well paid jobs in the U.S. Download Report.

Using Power Purchase Agreements for Solar Deployment at Universities

Solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) have facilitated more than 100 megawatts (MW) of solar deployment on campuses around the country. This brochure provides guidance to universities on the process of using PPAs and how PPAs can make economic sense for campus solar deployment. This document can support university stakeholders charged with the financial planning of campus solar projects. Download report.

FROM THE SECOND NATURE BLOG
Reflections on COP 21: From the Eyes of a Young Person
by Senai Andikiel

I was offered the chance to go to Paris with the Second Nature delegation, and what intern in their right mind would turn down this once in a lifetime opportunity? Needless to say, it was an incredible learning experience, and without a doubt one of the most important moments of my life. For the first time, I got to actually see people who cared about the planet as much as I do outside of the United States. I got the chance to network with people from all over the world, allowing for personal and professional growth... Read more.

Major University Towns Seek University Partners, Energy Efficiency Investments in off-campus rental housing
by Jacqueline Bauer and Matthew Naud

If you live in a large university town like Bloomington, Indiana, chances are many of your neighborhoods are dominated by student rentals. In most cases, students pay for utilities and landlords have little or no incentive to invest in energy efficiency. This economic barrier makes it very difficult to reduce GHGs in this sector. Of equal importance, these energy dollars leave the economy quickly, unlike the local investment in energy efficiency labor, equipment and ongoing savings... Read more.

CONNECT
Meet the Staff

Second Nature staff have diverse strengths and backgrounds, and bring these to light in a variety of roles. Learn more about two of the dedicated members on our team who recently changes roles.

Julia Pease
Director of Finance and Operations
Ruby Woodside
New England Fellow
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