Shane Stennes
District energy; renewable energy procurement; strategic planning and implementation; sustainability reporting; climate change mitigation
Background & Expertise
Shane Stennes is the University of Minnesota’s first chief sustainability officer. As CSO, Stennes is responsible for leading sustainability strategy, planning, programs and initiatives to advance the University’s strategic roadmap, Elevate Extraordinary 2030. This includes leading in the creation of knowledge and solutions, as well as interdisciplinary education, for a healthy planet with abundant natural resources; investing in modern and sustainable infrastructure to enhance research, discovery, teaching and learning; and accelerating campus climate action and resilience plans to ensure our campuses are contributing to a sustainable environment and future. Prior to becoming CSO, Stennes served in a number of roles on the University’s Twin Cities campus, most recently as the director of sustainability from 2015 to 2022. Through these campus roles he developed and implemented the campus’ first climate action plan, piloted the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s environmental justice framework during permitting of the combined heat and power project, and led efforts to achieve a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2021.
University of Minnesota Delegates Reflect on Lessons from COP30
In recent weeks, over a dozen University of Minnesota-affiliated participants took part in COP30. Held this year in Belém, Brazil, the Conference of the Parties is an annual convening of global leaders, delegates and observers to set goals and track progress on climate action.