Net-Zero Emissions by 2048

Net Zero refers to the state in which the greenhouse gasses going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere. In the context of UW–Madison, this means that we must:

Reduce our direct carbon emissions from sources on our physical campus in Madison, including heating and cooling of campus facilities, the use of campus-owned vehicles and equipment, and emissions from refrigerants and chemicals (also known as Scope 1 emissions). Recent Progress:

• The university is completing a decarbonization study that will develop options for converting the campus heating and cooling systems to a low-carbon district energy system. 
• ​​Paul Wilson, the Grainger Professor of Nuclear Engineering at UW–Madison, led a study that explored concepts for how next generation microreactors could enhance energy resilience at UW–Madison and other locations. A recent capstone project from the Energy Analysis and Policy program explored this topic further.

Reduce our indirect carbon emissions from electricity produced off-campus that we purchase (also known as Scope 2 emissions). Recent Progress:

• Thanks to a year of research, project development, partnership building, and coordination from the Office of Sustainability Green Fund led by students, the Gordon Dining & Event Center features a solar array on its roof that is projected to produce 42,800 kWh of electricity a year, or the energy use of five typical Wisconsin homes. 
• University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum Visitor Center recently completed lighting upgrades and a solar project with an online dashboard to track clean electricity production. A key feature of this project is innovative public education and outreach. 
• The university is completing a study of campus rooftops for potential solar installation; partnering with our utilities on solar projects such as the O’Brien Solar Fields; and developing renewable energy at outlying lands such as a  solar and agricultural research project at the Kegonsa Research Campus.

Reduce our indirect carbon emissions from other sources (also known as Scope 3 emissions). This includes sources like commuting, items the university purchases, and building materials. Recent Progress:

• The university is supporting the UW Zero Waste strategic initiative, which will address embodied emissions associated with purchased goods and services and capital goods.

Increase positive actions that reduce our carbon footprint, such as by studying and improving our carbon sequestration by crops or forests in our outlying lands, or investing in high-quality carbon offsets. Recent Progress:

• The university is collaborating with the Universities of Wisconsin to explore a variety of financial instruments to offset emissions as a bridge-strategy to meet these goals while allowing the time to efficiently address the needed infrastructure changes. Furthermore, the university is funding a post-doctoral researcher focused on assessing the potential carbon sequestration on university-owned lands.