University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
PAE-5: Climate Action Plan

It is our goal to reach carbon neutrality by the year 2050.

Based on state energy initiatives and mandates, the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point will focus on the following eleven energy strategies: 1) conservation, 2) hiring a dedicated energy manager, 3) existing building retrofits, 4) new building design, 5) computing, 6) lighting, 7) renewable energy options, 8) co-generation, 9) sustainability reserve fund, 10) purchasing policy and 11) renewable energy purchases. In order to achieve sustainable waste management, the university must 1) eliminate or minimize certain types of waste (source reduction), 2) increase its resource recovery efforts, 3) advance its composting effort, 4) commit to 100% natural lawn care 5) improve reuse strategies 6) continue with E-waste management and 7) perhaps explore waste-to-energy opportunities. Each direct transportation source - fleet services, commuting and air travel – has several possible solutions for reducing carbon emissions. They include 1) a reduction in student commuting, 2) a reduction in faculty and staff commuting to campus, 3) an increase in the percent of the population that uses alternative transportation, 4) a decrease in single occupancy vehicles, 5) a reduction of miles traveled for official business by faculty and staff, 6) a reduction in emissions associated with fleet operations, 7) 100% offset of air travel for faculty and staff, and 8) 100% offset for air travel for international student travel. In addition to reducing our carbon emissions, we must also increase the level of carbon offsets. Examples include on-campus carbon sinks – like composting and managed forests, off-campus institution-funded carbon reduction projects, and the purchase of “green electricity”. The purchase of green energy and renewable energy credits should be a minor initiative towards achieving carbon neutrality.