We Want to Hear From You:
Commuting Impacts in Higher Ed

Over the past ten months Second Nature and the University of New Hampshire Sustainability Institute (UNSHI) have co-facilitated a working group of sustainability professionals representing ten different higher education institutions. The purpose of the group is to improve data collection and reporting related to commuting impacts in higher education, identify opportunities for standardization across inventory tools (SIMAP®) and reporting platforms (e.g. Second Nature, AASHE STARS), and to ultimately improve the comparability and accuracy of greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories.

The Working Group has produced recommendations and tools and is seeking feedback.

Now Available:
2020-2025 UC3 Strategic Plan

Moving into its third year, the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3) has refined its role as an accelerant of place-based climate solutions and leading voice on the urgency of climate action.

The 2020-2025 strategic plan represents an updated vision and plan forward, building upon UC3 successes and lessons learned over the past two years.

Information:
Carbon Neutral Institutions

Wondering who all of the Climate Leadership Network signatories are who have achieved carbon neutrality?  You can now find that information on the *new* Carbon Neutral Colleges and Universities page on our website.  

Webinar Recording:
Measuring Higher Ed’s Progress Towards Carbon Neutrality

On April 23, 2020, Second Nature, Brailsford & Dunlavey, and the University of New Hampshire, hosted a webinar to discuss their analysis of the Climate Leadership Network's collective progress towards reaching greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets.  

If you missed the webinar, you can now access the recording of it.  

New Resource:
Monthly Policy Updates in One Place

In March, we launched a Monthly Policy Update.  On the second Thursday of every month, we email this newsletter that includes information on policy initiatives at the state (for 15 states) and federal (when relevant) levels, as well as opportunities (when they exist) for your institutions to participate in (i.e. sign-on letters, etc).  

We now have a page on our website where you can find out more information about this effort, subscribe to the email list, and view the current and previous Updates.  

New Resource:
Virtual Tools & Resources

We are continuing to build-out our virtual support by compiling some of our existing online tools and resources in one, easily accessible place.  They are broken out by topic areas and we are continually adding more tools and resources to this list.  

If you are looking for something that is not on this list, please let us know.  

New Resource:
Offset Network Quarterly Update

We are excited to announce that this month, we launched an Offset Network Quarterly Update e-newsletter.  In these quarterly e-newsletters, you can find information on the Offset Network, opportunities to get involved, and updates on active carbon offset projects.

You can subscribe to the email list to receive the Quarterly Update directly in your inbox.  

Virtual Resource:
Campus Energy & Sustainability Podcast

In Episode 32 of the Brailsford & Dunlavey Campus Energy & Sustainability Podcast, the focus is on how campuses have and are both responding to and preparing for climate change-related natural disasters, so that they can keep their students and communities as a whole safe.  Episode 32: Resilient Campuses, Resilient Communities with Cal State - Chico and Central Community College, is available now. 

News:
A Partnership to Develop a Resilience Hub

Earlier this month, Groundswell announced that its resilience hub project which will serve the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC), was chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to participate in a research effort.  

Groundswell is working in partnership with Spelman College and the Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE) on the community-driven resilience hub design.   

Earth Day 2020:
Thank You to All of You

None of us would have predicted that due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many aspects of everyday life would become virtual, as we all are doing our part to help curb the spread of COVID-19 through physical distancing.  

In some cases, it's not just everyday life that became virtual; but also events and activities that are not normally 100% virtual; like Earth Day.  

The higher education sector - knowing the importance of Earth Day in helping to further promote climate action and climate solutions - swiftly made all related Earth Day activities, events, and projects virtual.  

Thank you for continuing to show true leadership when it comes to ensuring that climate action endures, no matter what.  

Now Available:
U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools 

The U.S. Department of Education released their list of awardees for their 2020 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools.  

Congratulations to these Climate Leadership Network signatory schools: Kennesaw State University, College of Lake County, Truckee Meadows Community College, Furman University, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

You can find out more information by clicking on the button below.