SHERMAN, TEXAS – Austin College has officially announced its first purchase of carbon credits with Tradewater, a leading environmental company, and its participation in the 1 Million Tonne Campaign. The 1 Million Tonne Campaign is a collaborative effort between Tradewater and Second Nature, a national nonprofit working to accelerate climate action in and through higher education. Austin College is the first higher education institution in Texas to participate in the campaign.
Since 2008, AC has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 60%, cutting annual emissions from approximately 14,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MT CO₂e) to under 6,000 MT CO₂e. The College is targeting carbon neutrality by 2035, with work towards this goal dating back to its 2010 Carbon Action Plan and its original pledge to the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (now the Carbon Commitment). The College updated its plan in 2016 and finalized a more detailed roadmap in 2021.
As part of its 2021 Climate Action Plan, Austin College has initiated incremental increases in the purchase of carbon credits beginning in fiscal year 2025. In late 2024, the College purchased 600 tons of carbon credits from a Tradewater project that destroyed ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in the United States (ACR 936). The College plans to increase the volume of carbon credits purchased each year until fiscal year 2035, when annual offset purchases will cover 100% of residual, unavoidable on-campus emissions. In parallel, AC will continue energy and resource efficiency improvements and efforts to integrate climate change and climate action into the curriculum.
“I am thrilled that Austin College is one of the first schools to join Second Nature and Tradewater’s 1 Million Tonne Campaign,” said Professor of Biology and Environmental Science Dr. Peter Schulze. “I continue to be delighted that Austin College’s senior administrators have maintained the College’s leadership in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by converting to wind powered electricity, improving building energy efficiency, and now beginning our purchase of carbon offsets.”
Launched in 2024, the 1 Million Tonne Campaign provides a mechanism for higher education institutions to create measurable and permanent climate benefits both on and beyond their own campuses—through end-of-life management of legacy refrigerants on campus and the purchase of high integrity carbon credits from Tradewater’s super-pollutant mitigation projects. Preventing emissions of super-pollutants is a critical yet often overlooked climate solutions area. Austin College joins Pomona College and Loyola University Chicago as one of the first three members of the campaign.
“Austin College’s carbon offset purchase was faculty-led, research-driven, and part of a broader climate action strategy,” said Eli Etzioni, Partnerships Manager at Tradewater. “We have appreciated this chance to work with Professors Peter Schulze and David Baker, look forward to collaboration in Austin College classes, and are thrilled to have Austin College join the campaign.”
The 1 Million Tonne Campaign is one part of Second Nature’s multifaceted set of programs designed to accelerate climate action in higher education. Second Nature supports over 400 campuses working on decarbonization, community resilience, and climate education.
“Austin College's approach of pairing rigorous decarbonization with the purchase of high-quality, real emissions reductions for unavoidable emissions exemplifies climate leadership as we approach critical temperature thresholds globally,” said Meredith Leigh, Member Engagement Manager at Second Nature. “By joining the 1 Million Tonne Campaign, Austin College demonstrates for other institutions how campuses can take thoughtful and realistic action now to reduce harmful greenhouse gasses and remain committed to climate action.”
By working together toward a common goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, these organizations exemplify the power of collaboration in driving environmental progress and sustainability. Austin College's participation in the 1 Million Tonne Campaign marks a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future for all.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 44 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.
Second Nature is a nonprofit committed to accelerating climate action in, and through, higher education. This is accomplished by mobilizing a diverse array of higher education institutions to act on bold climate commitments, to scale campus climate initiatives, and to create innovative climate solutions. Second Nature aims to align, amplify, and bridge the sector’s efforts with other global leaders to advance urgent climate priorities. Visit www.secondnature.org to learn more.
Tradewater is a mission-based B Corp that works with individuals, organizations, and governments globally to find, measure, and safely mitigate the world’s most potent super polluting greenhouse gases. These non-CO2 gases represent a critical path to avoiding climate change. It takes an integrated approach that results in verifiable, permanent climate impacts and sustainable economic benefits through the highest quality carbon offset credits. Visit tradewater.us to learn more.