University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
PAE-5: Climate Plan

The Twin Cities Sustainability Committee finished the "University of Minnesota- Twin Cities Climate Action Plan v. 1.0" in December 2010. The plan lays out benchmarks for achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The interim marks with a baseline of 2008 include: 10% by 2015 20% by 2020 35% by 2025 50% by 2030 80% by 2040 100% by 2050 The committee has begun reviewing strategies and will determine specific long-term strategies in the next version of the plan (see below for more information).

The Twin Cities Sustainability Committee will review strategies considered core and enabling. The core strategies will produce direct emissions reductions, whereas the enabling strategies will complement, accelerate, and enable the fulfillment of the core strategies. Potential core strategies are being explored in the following areas: energy efficiency and conservation, transportation, energy production and source, space utilization, and offsets. Enabling strategies under consideration include wheeling, partnerships, research investments, campus as a living laboratory, culture change/engagement, and policy. After reviewing these ideas, the committee will make recommendations on which strategies to pursue immediately and which to pursue later, giving priority to projects that have the largest emissions reductions and cost savings. The climate action plan will then reflect these changes in version 1.1. Additionally, the CAP will continue to be revised every two years to determine the University's progress and to reflect new technologies and advancements.