Air & Climate

Introduction

Global climate change is having myriad negative impacts throughout the world, including increased frequency and potency of extreme weather events, sea level rise, species extinction, water shortages, declining agricultural production, and spread of diseases. The impacts are particularly pronounced for low-income communities and countries. In addition, institutions that inventory and take steps to reduce their air pollutant emissions can positively impact the health of the campus community, as well as the health of their local communities and regions.

1187 resources

10 Years Old, 1 Year New: Climate Leadership Commitment signatory networking session

  • Second Nature (MA)

Climate Leadership Commitment Implementation Liaisons and those interested in learning about the Climate Leadership Network will hear from Second Nature staff about the accomplishments, progress, and activities over the past ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Climate Leadership Network Carbon Offset Projects Networking

  • Clarkson University (NY)
  • Second Nature (MA)

This networking meeting will focus on the development of carbon offset projects for colleges and universities. An advisory group formed after a networking session at last year's AASHE conference ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Ganging Up to Go Big: Campus Collaborations to Achieve Scale with Renewables

  • University at Buffalo (NY)
  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (WI)
  • Edison Energy (CA)

Electricity is the single largest source of emissions for most campuses, and renewable energy is the only way to eliminate those emissions. But renewable energy is still unfamiliar territory for ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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DC Climathon at GW: University Partners With City to Innovate on Climate Solutions

  • George Washington University (DC)
  • District of Columbia Government (DC)

DC Climathon cultivates social start-ups and provides experiential and collaborative learning to self-identified students, social entrepreneurs, and pioneering professionals to provide climate change solutions for their cities. As part of ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Higher Education Endowments & the Paris Climate Agreement: Investing for a Sustainable Future

  • Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
  • Second Nature (MA)
  • Intentional Endowments Network (MA)
  • Cambridge Associates (VA)
  • Impax Asset Management

Higher education has been leading by example on climate change, striving for climate neutrality in campus operations and promoting education, research, and community engagement for climate solutions. In recent years ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Building Climate Resilience: A Planning Framework and Early Experiences

  • Western Technical College (WI)
  • Second Nature (MA)

This session will give an overview of the resilience planning framework available through Second Nature Climate Commitments and highlight innovative climate resilience efforts already underway. Institutions across all U.S ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Climate Action Planning: Making Plans that are Ambitious AND Implementable

  • Amherst College (MA)
  • Virginia Commonwealth University (VA)

Sustainability folk know writing a climate action or sustainability plan is only the beginning. After the initial buzz of publishing wanes, our plans begin to gather dust. What makes a ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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The Power of Dialogue: The Role of Student-led Initiatives in Shaping Climate Policy

  • Boston University (MA)
  • Macalester College (MN)

On April 4, 2016, college campuses in thirty state capitals across the country engaged in simultaneous open dialogues with state officials on implementing the EPA's Clean Power Plan. While ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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University of California's Presidential Initiative for Carbon Neutrality: A Multi-Institutional, Multi-Dimensional Perspective

  • University of California, Office of the President (CA)
  • University of California, Riverside (CA)
  • University of California, San Diego (CA)
  • University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
  • University of California, Merced (CA)

The 2014 UC Carbon Neutrality Initiative builds on pioneering work on climate research to make all ten campuses carbon neutral in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025. All UC ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Student Engagement and Learning at the UN Climate COPs

  • Amherst College (MA)
  • Dickinson College (PA)
  • Macalester College (MN)
  • Texas Southern University (TX)
  • University of Connecticut (CT)

Youth have had a growing presence in recent years at the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This includes numerous US colleges ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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CAP Revisited: Lessons Learned and New Strategies Discovered by Revising Climate Action Plans

  • Emory University (GA)
  • University of Maryland, College Park (MD)

Colleges and universities are updating their climate action plans to reflect the latest GHG reduction strategies and renew stakeholder engagement. The University of Maryland released its first CAP in 2009 ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Contrasting Approaches to Effective Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies: A Review of Energy-Focused Programs and Lessons Learned

  • Colby College (ME)
  • University of Virginia (VA)

A small private liberal arts college in the Northeast, Colby College, and a large public research university in the Southeast, the University of Virginia, will compare and contrast approaches within ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Internal Carbon Pricing: Designing and Implementing Campus Climate Policies with Vassar, Swarthmore, and Yale

  • Swarthmore College (PA)
  • Vassar College (NY)
  • Yale University (CT)

In the absence of federal or international carbon markets, higher education has a momentous opportunity to model institutional capacity to put a price on carbon. The goal of this panel ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Developing and Implementing Innovative Carbon Offset Projects

  • Duke University (NC)
  • Oberlin College (OH)
  • University of Florida (FL)

For universities and colleges with fast approaching climate goals, it is clear that carbon offsets are set to play a crucial role in achieving these goals. More schools are looking ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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The Research - Climate Nexus: The Difficult Questions Facing Progressive Institutions Today.

  • Case Western Reserve University (OH)
  • Cornell University (NY)
  • Princeton University (NJ)
  • Buro Happold (NY)

As universities are tackling climate commitments focused on Scope 1 and 2 emissions, they are facing difficult decisions on capital investments in existing and new building stock and infrastructure to ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Combining carbon and nitrogen footprints: A new tool for a more comprehensive approach to environmental management on campuses

  • University of New Hampshire (NH)
  • University of Virginia (VA)

A new iteration of 'CarbonMAP' (the web-based version of the widely-used Campus Carbon Calculator) will soon include the ability to track and manage the campus nitrogen footprint as well. This ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Smart Parking: How EV Charging can reduce transportation emissions

  • Colorado State University (CO)
  • University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
  • ICF International (VA)

Plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging on campuses provide a service to employees and students, signal environmental leadership, deliver educational and research opportunities, and play an important role in achieving GHG ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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F#!% Carbon Neutrality: Engaging Higher Education in Climate Policy

  • Auburn University (AL)
  • Bard College (NY)
  • Living Routes, Inc. (MA)
  • Citizens' Climate Lobby (CA)

Since the inception of the campus sustainability movement, the pursuit of carbon neutrality has been the dominant strategy for institutions that have signed the Presidents' Climate Commitment as well as ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Student Activism for Community Energy Efficiency: Harnessing ENERGY STAR Activities and Resources for the Public Good

  • American University (DC)

As part of an annual elective course in Sustainable Design, American University (AU) graduate students in the Global Environmental Politics program in the School of International Service undertake a real-world ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Carbon On-Setting: Community Impact Through Home Weatherizations in Greenville, SC

  • Furman University (SC)

This case study will tell the story of the Community Conservation Corps (CCC), the program highlighted by Second Nature in Furman University's selection as a Climate Leadership Finalist in ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Paving the Way for Increased Solar Utilization in Higher Education

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
  • Center for Resource Solutions | Green-e (CA)
  • Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (VA)

Colleges and universities are increasingly interested in deploying solar technologies to power and green up their campuses. However, financing, legal, administrative, and policy barriers can often get in the way ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Indoor Air Quality in the Context of Human Performance

  • Kirksey Architecture (TX)

Studies conducted by Harvard and LBNL National Lab have indicated that indoor CO2 levels that were until recently considered safe actually have substantial negative impacts on human cognition, including impaired ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Using the Social Cost of Carbon as an Ingredient to Minimize Life Cycle Cost and Carbon

  • Miami University (OH)

Optimizing a campus's utility master plan to minimize its twenty-five year life cycle cost is one thing, but add the social cost of carbon to the mix and the ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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The Climate Narrative Project: Training a New Generation of Climate Storytellers

  • University of Iowa (IA)

What accounts for the gap between science and action on climate change, and what can we do more effectively to communicate informed stories and galvanize action? The Climate Narrative Project ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Driving Change: A survey of how institutions are addressing commuting and business travel.

  • Mohawk College (ON)
  • Ameresco, Inc. (MA)

Transportation is often perceived by higher education institutions as an area that is out of their control and therefore difficult to impact change - yet at most schools greenhouse gas emissions ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Assessing the Carbon Footprint of Higher Education: Factors Influencing the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

  • North Carolina A&T State University (NC)

Thanks to the leadership of AASHE and Second Nature almost 20% of all higher education institutions have committed to making significant greenhouse gas emission reductions, and many have made substantial ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Capitalizing on Local Renewable Resources for Campus Energy Needs: The Williams Lake Campus Bio-Mass System

  • Thompson Rivers University (BC)

Campuses across North America are increasingly looking to renewable energy sources to help reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and provide reliable and consistent energy costs. Each university has different ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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What to Say and What Not to Say on the Road to Becoming Effective Communicators on Climate Change

  • ecoAmerica (DC)

This presentation will showcase ecoAmerica's Solution Generation program and communications research that will empower higher education leaders to more effectively connect with campuses and their broader communities on climate ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Management Strategies for Carbon and Nitrogen: Using a Combined Footprint Tool to Reduce Environmental Impact

  • University of Virginia (VA)

How can institutions assess and manage their impact on the environment? A newly combined tool for carbon and nitrogen footprints offers a platform for institutions to manage their emissions both ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Carbon and the Compost Cats: Evaluation of Carbon Offset Impacts for a University Affiliated Compost Program

  • University of Arizona (AZ)

The University of Arizona Compost Cats program has performed a life cycle assessment (LCA) greenhouse gas emissions analysis to quantify the benefits of composting waste from campus and local participating ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Meeting a Nitrogen Footprint Reduction Goal: A Case Study at the University of Virginia

  • University of Virginia (VA)

The University of Virginia has three 'firsts' with respect to controlling nitrogen pollution. In 2009 it was the first to calculate its nitrogen footprint (492 tonnes N); in 2013 it ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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How Carbon and Nitrogen Footprints Can Inform Sustainability Practices at Colorado College

  • Colorado College (CO)

This case study analyzes the carbon and nitrogen savings associated with opportunities Colorado College, a small liberal arts school in the Rocky Mountains, has for sustainability. By analyzing the current ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Supporting community engagement in clean energy by making the purchase of electric vehicles and solar simple and affordable

  • University of Utah (UT)

U Drive Electric and U Community Solar are the University of Utah's community-based programs that brought together local partners and companies to offer discounts and a streamed-lined process for ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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GreenCampusPoints Shop to Save the Planet

  • Boston University (MA)

There are 20.2 million college students in the US, which together account for over 150 billion dollars in discretionary spending each year. Imagine if for every one of those ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Institutional Nitrogen Footprint: A Case Study at Oregon State University

  • Oregon State University (OR)

Many insitutions of higher education are measuring and consciously managing their impact on the environment, using metrics of energy use, recycling, alternative transporation or local foods. While the carbon footprint ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Student Internships Mobilizing From Coal to Carbon Neutrality Efforts

  • Oberlin College (OH)

Carbon neutrality efforts require high level planning and coordination; meanwhile, sustainability offices often have few staff and full plates. This case study highlights efforts of two Oberlin College students who ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Post-Paris: Climate Commitments in Action Across Higher Ed, Business, and Cities

  • George Washington University (DC)
  • Second Nature (MA)
  • Urban Sustainability Directors Network (IL)
  • Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (VA)

The Paris climate agreement heralded a new form of international governance combining commitments by countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with commitments from many other sectors-including universities, local governments, and ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Virginia Power Dialog: Lessons Learned and What's Next in the Commonwealth

  • University of Richmond (VA)
  • Virginia Commonwealth University (VA)

Motivated by the historic international climate agreement reached in Paris in December 2015 and by the adoption of the Clean Power Plan, The Virginia Power Dialog engaged college and university ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Utilizing Carbon Offsets To Fulfil the Second Nature Climate Leadership Commitments

  • Ball State University (IN)
  • Colgate University (NY)
  • Oberlin College (OH)
  • Second Nature (MA)

This session will give an overview of the new guidelines for utilizing carbon offsets as part of the Second Nature Climate Commitments and highlight a sampling of some of the ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Combat global warming for free? Find out how with UCapture (in partnership with TerraPass)

  • UCapture

As a consumer you face a moral dilemma: Your consumption emits greenhouse gases which cause global warming...however, the cost of offsetting your own CO2 emissions can be costly. UCapture ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Achieving the Impossible: How the Millennial Generation is Winning a Just & Sustainable Future in the Age of Climate Change

  • Elected Officials to Protect America (SC)

Outspoken advocate and internationally-recognized former elected official Dominic Frongillo will share his perspective as the youngest-ever councilmember in Caroline, NY, and delegate to UN climate talks on how young people ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Getting Real About Climate Change: Grading Your University on What It's Actually Doing

  • The City College of New York (NY)
  • University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)

We've been graded by our schools all our lives - now, we're going to grade them. Is your school doing its part to end the climate crisis, or is ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Can carbon offsets be community-based, educational, and affordable? The results of a 4 college collaborative research project.

  • Amherst College (MA)
  • Hampshire College (MA)
  • Smith College (MA)
  • Williams College (MA)

What would be the best carbon offset? Can carbon offsets achieve measurable carbon reductions, as well as support the health and sustainability of our local communities and provide educational and ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Obama, Bill Gates to lead major effort to spur spending on climate research

  • The Washington Post (DC)

This article describes the launch of two separate initiatives to invest billions of dollars in clean energy research and development. "Mission Innovation” is a commitment by countries - including United States ...

  • Posted Nov. 14, 2016
  • Publications
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Harvard to limit greenhouse gas emissions in new Allston construction

  • Harvard University (MA)

This article describes Harvard University's agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions from new buildings constructed on its Allston campus. The agreement between the University and the Executive Office of ...


Master of Climate Change

  • University of Waterloo (ON)

The University of Waterloo’s Master of Climate Change (MCC) program focuses on the multiple ways climate change interacts with society and the environment. The MCC program provides a unique ...

  • Posted Oct. 31, 2016
  • Academic Programs
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Making the invisible visible: how students make use of carbon footprint calculator in environmental education

  • University of Gothenburg

Problems concerning carbon dioxide emissions and other climate change-related issues are on the global political agenda and constantly debated in media. Such issues are important for individuals to enable active ...

  • Posted Oct. 28, 2016
  • Publications
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A Nearly Carbon-Neutral Conference Model: White Paper & Practical Guide

  • University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)

This document was created to help stage nearly carbon-neutral (NCN) conferences based on a model first implemented at UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) in May of 2016. Compared to fly-in conferences ...

  • Posted Oct. 28, 2016
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Report: Options for Achieving a Carbon Neutral Campus by 2035

  • Cornell University (NY)

Created by the Senior Leaders Climate Action Group at Cornell University to better inform decision-making on reaching carbon neutrality by 2035. The report focuses on cost-benefit analysis of solutions to ...

  • Posted Oct. 21, 2016
  • Publications
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Teaching Climate Change in the Humanities

Climate change is an enormous and increasingly urgent issue. This important book highlights how humanities disciplines can mobilize the creative and critical power of students, teachers, and communities to confront ...

  • Posted Oct. 20, 2016
  • Publications
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.

All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.

OP 1: Emissions Inventory & Disclosure

OP 2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.

Air & Climate Partners