The Environmental Resilience Institute has been named a 2023 campus sustainability achievement award finalist by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) for its work with Indiana local governments to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions and implement climate resilience strategies.
Dozens of local governments across the state have participated in ERI’s Resilience Cohort program since its 2019 launch, helping communities make progress on sustainability goals. Past projects have included greenhouse gas inventories, climate action plans, solar-readiness, and urban tree canopy assessments. This year, ERI is leading a cohort to help communities assess their climate risks and vulnerabilities and to develop a climate resilience plan for adapting to those risks and vulnerabilities.
In addition to helping communities, the Resilience Cohort program provides opportunities for Indiana University students to gain professional experience in the sustainability sector and contribute to Indiana's climate resilience by working with participating local governments as McKinney Climate Fellows.
“In five years, the Resilience Cohort program has proven invaluable to incubating Hoosier community capacity for pursuing sustainability goals and to developing the next generation of climate leaders,” said ERI Assistant Director for Policy and Implementation Therese Dorau. “We’re proud of the program’s accomplishments to date and honored to be included as a finalist in this year’s AASHE Sustainability Awards.”
Award winners will be unveiled 12 p.m. ET Thursday, Dec. 7 during the virtual AASHE Sustainability Awards Ceremony.
About the Environmental Resilience Institute
Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute brings together a broad coalition of government, business, nonprofit, and community leaders to help Indiana and the Midwest better prepare for the challenges of environmental change. By integrating research, education, and community, ERI is working to create a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future. Learn more at eri.iu.edu.
