University of New Hampshire
PAE-5: Climate Plan

Through our campus-wide Energy Task Force (ETF), UNH has developed a climate action plan called "WildCAP" to reduce UNH’s greenhouse gas emissions in fulfillment of the requirements of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). In the long-term, WildCAP will facilitate a reduction in UNH’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 and on the road to carbon neutrality by 2100.

The goals are to maximize emissions reductions as soon as possible to reduce climate impacts, maximize cost savings through reduced energy consumption, develop a plan with broad-based support across the UNH community to ensure smooth implementation, willingness to invest in energy saving projects, and participation in energy-saving behavioral changes, maintain UNH’s leadership position in campus climate action, develop opportunities to highlight UNH climate action to internal and external stakeholders and funders and, integrate operational and behavior savings efforts with existing or new curricula and research where possible. In the short-term, WildCAP will facilitate a reduction in UNH’s greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2020.

The University has adopted a strategy of implementing change, either in the way campus activity is conducted or in the built environment, to achieve greenhouse gas reductions. We challenge ourselves by taking this more difficult path than the alternative of purchased credits which allow business as usual to persist. All reductions are measured against a 1990 baseline. UNH is a signatory to the American College & University President’s Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).