2018 Higher Education Climate Leadership Award Winners

The University of Illinois won the prized 2018 Climate Leadership Award by Second Nature. Started in 2009, these esteemed awards recognize students who show exceptional prowess in preparedness, cross-sector partnership, and climate awareness innovation from institutions of higher learning participating in Second Nature’s climate initiatives.

2018’s winners demonstrate exceptional leadership with their pioneering partnerships and groundbreaking resourcefulness designed to wrestle with the biggest problems facing the world because of climate change.

The Climate Leadership Awards deliver the opportunity to revel in and acknowledge the astounding progress in the world of innovative climate technology while also highlighting the extraordinary achievements of educational institutions to inspire and fuel our industry leaders and inform the public about the risks of and potential solutions to climate change.

Second Nature is a nonprofit organization that works with many institutions, colleges, and universities across the country on the importance of lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and showcases the rising stars in the collegiate environment who share their innovative ideas on how to meet the necessary goals to prevent the worst impacts of a changing climate.

To further honor colleges and universities at different stages of their climate education path, Second Nature and USGBC have begun awarding honorable mentions to six institutions each year, based on proven distinction and development within the focus areas of climate innovation, cross-sector partnership, and student preparation.