Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions  -  February 12, 2024

UW–Madison Starts Sustainability Strategy

The University of Wisconsin–Madison launched an initiative focused on environmental sustainability by lowering emissions and adding the use of renewable energy.

The initiative was announced by Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin at the February meeting of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents.

The plan represents the most comprehensive environmental sustainability initiative in the university’s history. UW–Madison set goals to lower the campus and physical plant’s impact on the environment.

The new initiative includes plans to procure 100% renewable electricity on campus by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2048 to lower UW–Madison’s carbon footprint. The university also plans to start a Sustainability Research Hub during the spring to facilitate large interdisciplinary grants and support sustainability innovation.

The university’s 2048 target for reaching net zero emissions will coincide with UW–Madison’s 200th anniversary, as well the City of Madison’s 2050 goal of reaching 100% renewable energy and zero emissions for community-wide operations.

“Sustainability has become a core principle in how we plan, build, and operate at UW–Madison,” says Cindy Torstveit, associate vice chancellor of Facilities Planning and Management, in a statement. “We are incorporating cutting-edge sustainability design features into new building projects, launching a study to understand how we can decarbonize our heating and cooling systems and collaborating with our utilities on exciting initiatives like the new solar and agriculture research project at the Kegonsa Research Campus.”