Second Nature Climate Commitment

Second Nature is a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating action on climate change through higher education. In 2006, Second Nature launched its signature program, the Climate Leadership Network, which was built on rigorous climate action commitments made by higher education’s presidents and chancellors.

The climate commitment requires the university to create an internal task force to guide the development of a plan within two months of signing. A joint university-community task force will be appointed and a campus greenhouse gas inventory will be completed within a year, and a “resilience assessment” evaluating capacity for change will be completed within two years. The climate action plan must be completed within three years, and participating institutions complete annual, public reports on progress.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale reaffirmed the university’s longstanding commitment to sustainability when Chancellor John M. Dunn signed the Second Nature Climate Commitment on February 20, 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the timeline?

Within a year, SIU will have a campus/community task force. We will also complete a greenhouse gas inventory against which we will evaluation ongoing progress. Within two years we will complete a campus-community resilience assessment that will help us to assess and reduce vulnerability while considering our ability to adapt in the face of climate change. Within three years we will have a comprehensive climate action plan, and we measure and publicly report on our progress annually

What are the benefits?

Benefits include:

Implementing energy efficiencies that will lead to cost savings
Reducing greenhouse gasses produced by the university
Attracting students who are committed to sustainability
Deploying the expertise of the university community to address campus climate challenges
Engaging the campus and community together to address important, global challenges

Who’s on the committee and/or leading it?

The chancellor will appoint an “implementation liaison” to coordinate the efforts within one month of signing. The committee/task force will be appointed by the chancellor within two months of signing.

What are the costs?

Our greatest opportunities for reducing our carbon footprint come through energy efficiency and conservation. The Second Nature commitment will support a more coordinated focus in these areas, helping to save SIU money, both by reducing ongoing utility spending and by reducing our exposure to potential future price increases from energy markets. According the most recent Annual Progress Evaluations submitted to Second Nature by signatories, 72% of those reporting said their Climate Action Plan has saved their institutions money.
Dues paid to Second Nature support access to a network of universities that are working toward this goal as well as other resources and opportunities available to signatories.
Other costs will be associated with the follow-up actions determined in the Climate Action Plan. Financing considerations are included here.