UNC has received a $1 million investment from the Champion Athleticwear brand to kickstart a series of efforts aimed at creating a more sustainable campus and facilitating the continued innovation of new strategies by the university community.

The brand, as part of a multi-faceted initiative, will not only fund sustainable innovations as UNC works to meet its recently updated Climate Action Plan, but will support the university’s faculty, staff, and students in bringing research-based ideas to life.

“As a leading global public research university,” said UNC Chancellor Kevin M. Guzkiewicz, “we know the importance of environmental stewardship and what’s at stake if we don’t act swiftly. Our students, faculty and staff have long been committed to creating a more sustainable Carolina. The Champion Sustainability Fund will open new doors for our sustainability work and allow us to invest in projects and practices that benefit our community and our world.”

In its revolving fund model, the Champion Sustainability Fund will recycle the capital saved by converting to cleaner sustainability practices back into the fund to be used for programs that inspire and encourage university community members to develop innovative ideas for future measures. By reinvesting the savings, the fund will continue to offer the university opportunity to pursue new sustainability initiatives.

“Hopefully the returns will come back to the fund pretty quickly, and we’ll be able to support programs that will fund innovative student and faculty ideas or competitions that will call for proposals from students, faculty, and staff,” UNC’s chief sustainability officer Michael Piehler told 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck. “And that will be a great way to not only achieve the core group of things we’re hoping to get the savings from, but also this broad sweep of projects related to sustainability and our movement toward our goals.”

“We’re really committed to putting resources into sustainability efforts,” Piehler added, “because we know that early investments return well and are really a great way to start meeting these challenges in a timely manner.”

Some of the confirmed programs that will be funded by the reinvested savings include the Champion Sustainability Research Accelerator, which will annually award $50,000 to Carolina faculty with research programs aimed at improved sustainability and environmental outcomes, and the Sustainable Carolina Opportunity Fund, which will provide seed funding for various efforts to advance sustainability at UNC.

The university will also partner with HanesBrands to pursue additional educational opportunities, such as a paid internship program that will provide UNC students with experience working on HanesBrands’ comprehensive sustainability program.

You can read more about the Champion Sustainability Fund in UNC’s press release and more about the university’s efforts to advance sustainability on Sustainable Carolina’s website.

 

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Making Progress on Reducing Emissions, But Coal Replacement Still Far Off at Steam Plant
During a recent panel updating where UNC stands in those efforts, sustainability officials pointed to improvements in overall and energy-specific emissions rates – but detailed the challenges of moving entirely away from using coal in the short-term.
UNC Men's Basketball vs. Georgia Tech (2024): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Time
Carolina will open its 2024-25 ACC schedule on Saturday when it hosts Georgia Tech at the Smith Center. The Tar Heels are looking to avenge an upset loss at the hands of the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta last season. If you aren’t attending the game in person, here’s how you can follow along at home: […]
Chansky's Notebook: An ACC Breather
In past seasons, UNC has begun its ACC schedule with tougher teams than Georgia Tech, the home opponent Saturday at 2 p.m.
Hot Start Helps UNC Women's Basketball Beat No. 14 Kentucky in ACC-SEC Challenge
Carolina jumped out to a 21-6 lead in the first quarter and never looked back against No. 14 Kentucky on Thursday night in the ACC-SEC Challenge, defeating the Wildcats 72-53 in Carmichael Arena. It’s Kentucky’s first loss of the season. A big 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐀 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄 win!#InPursuit x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/Y5W4h8ohqP — Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) December 5, […]
Chansky's Notebook: Upside-Down Cake
At 4-4, UNC faces early residence on the NCAA Tournament bubble that brings back some bad memories in this century.
After a Difficult Year, Ciera Toomey's Return Sparking UNC Women's Basketball
Former five-star recruit Ciera Toomey missed her entire freshman season at UNC. Now, her comeback has keyed an early-season hot streak.
UNC Women's Soccer in the College Cup (2024): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Kickoff Time
Carolina will make its 32nd appearance in the NCAA Women’s College Cup on Friday night in Cary. The Tar Heels will face No. 1 overall seed Duke in the national semifinals, with the winner advancing to Monday’s national championship match against either Wake Forest or Stanford. If you aren’t making the trip to Cary, here’s […]
UNC Women's Basketball vs. Kentucky (2024): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Time
Carolina will host a marquee game in the ACC-SEC Challenge when Kentucky visits Carmichael Arena on Thursday night. The Wildcats feature a host of familiar faces, including UNC transfer Teonni Key and former Virginia Tech star Georgia Amoore. Former Hokies head coach Kenny Brooks is in his first season with the Wildcats. If you aren’t […]
Cold Shooting Dooms UNC Men's Basketball to 3rd Straight Loss vs. Alabama
The Carolina offense was as cold as the weather outside on Wednesday night against No. 10 Alabama, as the Crimson Tide rolled over the Tar Heels 94-79 at the Smith Center. It’s Carolina’s third straight loss overall and third straight against Alabama. “We didn’t do the things consistently to put yourself in a position to […]
After Mack Brown's Dismissal, Multiple UNC Football Players Are Transferring. Here's the Full List:
Multiple Carolina football players have declared their intentions to transfer out of Chapel Hill. The announcements come after the firing of head coach Mack Brown, who spent the previous six seasons at the school. Here’s the full list of all players who have announced their entry into the transfer portal: QB Conner Harrell Harrell made […]
›