ABOUT US
The Sustainability Institute (SI) is an award-winning, nonprofit, 501c(3) organization with a mission of empowering South Carolina communities to transform our homes and workplaces to conserve energy and reduce our overall environmental impact.
Since 1999, we have conducted Energy Conservation workshops for over 4000 families, consulted with more than 50 businesses, and trained and certified over 225 home performance professionals. Our efforts have resulted in over $2,000,000 in net energy savings for those with whom we have worked. By 2013, our programs will create 325 new 'green' sector jobs and will increase the energy efficiency of over 1200 units, with a 20%+ energy reduction in each.
For over a decade, The Sustainability Institute has worked one person at a time to achieve energy efficiency in our community and thereby produce positive effects locally as well as on the global environment. Our programs create a win-win-win scenario because they work together to save energy costs, improve the environment, and create jobs. Our urgent focus is creating energy efficiency in the 'built environment' -- the buildings where we live and work.
We work towards this focus in the following ways:
- Provide direct services and resources including energy improvements on homes, consulting services for businesses and municipalities, and the SC Green Building Directory
- 'Green' workforce training
- Community education and outreach
We do this work for our future. We do it not only for ourselves, but for those to whom we will pass on our homes, our community, and our planet. Learn more about us. Join our movement.
The People of SI
The Sustainability Institute brings a unique nonprofit mission, mindset and community-oriented focus to South Carolina's sustainability movement. While most environmental groups focus on land or water conservation, the Institute focuses on empowering South Carolina communities - people - to transform where and how we work and live. The Sustainability Institute's philosophy is about teaching and transferring skills, building expertise and being a cutting-edge resource that builds the capacity of people to lead this movement.
The Institute is guided by an active Board of Directors as well as active Advisory and Working Groups. Meet the Board >>
Our daily work is currently led by a staff of professionally-certified sustainability and energy experts—LEED Accredited Professionals (APs) and Home Energy Rater (HERS). All staff have extensive education in environmental policy and practical experience in implementing initiatives in South Carolina communities. Meet the Staff >>