Network News: @MountHolyoke launched its Climate Justice Lab to integrate climate justice across the curriculum and serve as the nerve center for some of the college’s most influential environmental work.
Learn more here: lnkd.in/g66JVE8M
WEBINAR: Join the @aceducation.bsky.social and Second Nature on April 30 for the fourth webinar in our series, From Pilot to Practice: Institutional Stories from the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability.
Register: lnkd.in/g5iaMyVC.
CLN Update:
The University of Maryland Baltimore County Office of Sustainability worked with campus stakeholders to develop a renewed Sustainability & Climate Action Plan. Learn more here: lnkd.in/gtkKSmFM
CLN Update: Catawba College is currently implementing a campus sustainability initiative that integrates innovation, decarbonization, and deferred maintenance.
Learn more: lnkd.in/g3wNhG5x
Climate Leadership Network Update:
UB's North Campus Clean Energy Master Plan (CEMP), seeks to update the campus’ aging infrastructure to an electrified system that will reduce carbon emissions, decrease energy use by 30%, and realize substantial savings on energy costs. Learn more: bit.ly/UBDecarb
We’re thrilled to celebrate Oberlin College and Hobart and William Smith Colleges on achieving carbon neutrality and on being recognized with a carbon neutrality award by Second Nature!
Congratulations to both institutions for setting the bar for ambitious climate action in higher education!
CLN Updates:
The National Sustainability Society has recognized the University of Pittsburgh’s Circular Economy Program with the Innovations in Sustainability Education Team Award, honoring co-developers and program leaders in partnership with Covestro. Learn more: bit.ly/UPittAward
That’s a wrap on the 2026 Summit! Over three days, leaders across higher education came together to break silos, build alignment, and strengthen partnerships for climate action. Thank you to everyone who joined us in Chicago. The work continues, together.
Announcing the 2026 Climate Luminary Honors awardees!
Six institutions recognized for exemplary climate leadership in advancing bold and equitable solutions across decarbonization, justice, community, workforce, research, and climate resilience.
Join us in celebrating their work: lnkd.in/gK4C8nf6
Summit, Day 2: Opening plenary reflected on how sustainability in higher ed has grown from isolated efforts into institution-wide strategies. Speakers emphasized embedding sustainability into leadership and curricula, empowering students, and staying adaptive and values-driven in uncertain times.
Welcome to the 2026 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit. Over the next couple of days, leaders from across the higher education sector are gathering here in Chicago to explore solutions, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate climate action.
Let’s get started!
Network Update:
For the first time, the University of Pennsylvania's (Penn) annual report on sustainability captures critical climate achievements. On the main campus, net emissions fell by 4.5% year-over-year and have dropped by 49% since FY09. Learn more here: bit.ly/UPennCAP
At the 2026 Summit, we will gather to reflect on how the sustainability professional has taken shape across higher education, and where it’s headed next. Join us in Chicago, March 8-10!
Register and learn more: bit.ly/HECLsummit2026
The 2026 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit is where bold ideas turn into action, bringing together higher education leaders advancing climate solutions on campus and in communities. Join us March 8-10 in Chicago and be part of the momentum.
Register here: bit.ly/HECLsummit2026
The work ahead demands more than one solution, and this year’s Summit agenda reflects that. To ensure broad participation across the sector, the current registration rate has been extended!
Explore the full agenda here: bit.ly/SummitAgenda...
Register and learn more: bit.ly/HECLsummit2026
CLN Update:
John Jay College (CUNY) had the opportunity of bringing students to participate in COP30 in Belém, Brazil. This allowed students to step inside the global conversation on climate governance and environmental justice in a way no classroom can replicate.
Learn more here: lnkd.in/g6Zf92wa
See what's happening in the CLN:
Spelman College has released new data outlining the environmental impact of its campus composting initiative.
Learn more here: lnkd.in/gSRcfq8D
Second Nature opposes efforts to undermine established climate science by rescinding the 2009 Endangerment Finding. Decades of peer-reviewed research clearly demonstrate that greenhouse gas pollution endangers public health and welfare. Read more: bit.ly/ImpactEPADec...
Higher education has shown what’s possible when institutions lead together. Now, as new pressures reshape the sector, the question isn’t how far we’ve come, but where we go next.
Join us at the 2026 Summit and help define the next era of collective climate action. Register: bit.ly/HECLsummit2026
With major policy shifts reshaping campus sustainability efforts, ACE and @leadonclimate.bsky.social are continuing their webinar series on higher ed's climate action journey.
Tomorrow's webinar centers on climate workforce development.
www.acenet.edu/News-Room/Pa...
Join Second Nature and the @aceducation.bsky.social on January 29 (2–3 p.m. ET) for a free webinar on how higher education is advancing equitable green jobs. Explore workforce models, funding opportunities, and partnerships advancing equitable green careers.
Register now: lnkd.in/eJiym_iV
Join us for a defining opening plenary on the future of climate leadership at the 2026 Summit, March 8-10 in Chicago. Hear from top higher education leaders as they reflect on the years of progress and discuss what comes next for climate action leadership.
Register and learn more: lnkd.in/eK8QFkAF
Join us and Sustain Our Future Foundation (SOFF) for a free webinar on January 21 at 1:30 pm ET, From Islanding to Integration: Advancing Climate Action Through Community Partnerships, to learn how community partnerships can accelerate climate action.
Register: bit.ly/IslandingtoI...
Active members of the CLN! Join Second Nature’s Pro Bono Lunch & Learn on January 15th at 1 PM EST to explore the member-exclusive Pro Bono Consulting opportunity and hear directly from our consulting partners.
Register here: lnkd.in/e5EagHBm
Applications are now open for Round VI of Second Nature’s member-exclusive Pro Bono Consulting initiative! Selected recipients will receive up to $30,000 in free consulting to advance campus climate and renewable energy goals. Apply by February 6, 2026.
Learn more and apply here: lnkd.in/g9R2ha4U
Join Second Nature and the @aceducation.bsky.social (ACE) for the third webinar in our webinar series. This new webinar will take place on January 29, and will explore workforce models, funding opportunities, and partnerships advancing equitable green careers.
Register now: lnkd.in/eJiym_iV
As we gear up for this year’s Summit, we intend to create a critical space for the sector to continue building our collective power, reflect on what worked in our responses to the constant stream of disruptions in 2025, and envision what needs to change. Join us! Register: bit.ly/HECLsummit2026
Our storytelling aims to uplift the climate work happening across our network. At CSUN, the Matador Move Out program transforms end-of-year waste into community resources, diverting thousands of pounds from landfills while supporting students and local partners. Read the story: bit.ly/CSUNStory
As part of Second Nature’s storytelling initiative to uplift the inspiring climate work happening across our member institutions, we’re highlighting Mount Holyoke College’s community-led approach to climate justice, the Community Commitment to Climate Justice. Read more here: lnkd.in/ee-rDZVA
Main stage speakers announced for the 2026 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit, and Early Bird rates end on December 19. Register and learn more: lnkd.in/eK8QFkAF
