Working with experts from ACUPCC institutions and partner organizations, Second Nature has developed a series of in-depth reports that address many of the interrelated aspects of colleges and universities fulfilling their climate commitments.
Moving Forward - Advancing the Inentionally-Designed Endowment
On April 3-4, 2014, Second Nature and Hampshire College convened a group of high-level stakeholders to explore a wide variety of approaches to aligning higher education and foundation endowment investment portfolios with their institutional mission and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. The report from the Intentionally Designed Endowment conference is now available. (May 2014)
The Intentionally-Designed Endowment - A Primer
Associated with a conference exploring what it means for colleges and universities to invest intentionally, we developed a primer for participants to establish a baseline understanding of key issues related to aligning investment practices with institutional values. It provides a high-level overview of sustainability investing, including a brief history, and a select list of key resources and relevant organizations. (April 2014)
Climate Change: Investment Risks and Opportunities for Higher Education
This document was prepared in response to requests from a number of college and university presidents and administrators seeking guidance on how to address climate change risk and opportunities in their investment portfolios. Second Nature believes that assessing climate change as an investment risk is not about taking a position on the science of climate change, but rather an important aspect of any fiduciary’s responsibility to the institutions’ endowment. (December 2013)
Higher Education: Leading the Nation to a Safe and Secure Energy Future
Outlines how the federal government should develop and enhance clean energy incentives and investments for the higher education sector to support sustainable practices on campuses, control institutional operating costs, spur economic development and prepare college graduates to integrate sustainability into their business and personal lives. The report’s authors represent the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) and Second Nature, the supporting organization of the ACUPCC. (June 2012)
Download the full report
Download the Executive Summary
Read the news release
Higher Education’s Role in Adapting to a Changing Climate
Evaluates how colleges and universities are preparing society for a changing climate through their education, research, operations, and community engagement activities. The report was developed by the Higher Education Climate Adaptation Committee, a group of thirteen leaders in higher education and experts in climate adaptation, convened by the ACUPCC in March 2011. (November 2011)