Seal of Dane County County of Dane
Translate
The seal of the County of Dane
Dane County Parks

Dane County Seeks More Climate Champions

April 08, 2026
execmedia@danecounty.gov, 608-800-1127
County Executive, County Executive

Program Will Recognize Climate Leaders Across the County

DANE COUNTY - The Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change (OECC) encourages businesses, nonprofits and local governments to apply to be a 2026 Dane County Climate Champion. OECC developed the Climate Champions program to recognize the leadership of local entities that are taking significant action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Champion application will be open until July 1st, 2026. To learn more, people and organizations are encouraged to visit daneclimateaction.org.

To date OECC has recognized more than 200 entities across Dane County for their leadership on climate action.

“Leading on climate action is the Dane County way so it’s no surprise that dozens of businesses, nonprofits and local governments take pride in calling themselves Dane County Climate Champions,” said Dane County Executive Melissa Agard. “I look forward to seeing what kind of innovative sustainability efforts will be recognized this year.”

The Dane County Climate Champions program recognizes achievements across twelve categories this year. OECC added two new categories for 2026 in response to requests from past participants. Those new categories are:

  • Renewable Energy – for entities with facilities powered and/or heated by renewable energy sources
  • Food Waste – for entities that prevent, reduce, or mitigate food waste

In addition, OECC continues to offer the ten categories from prior years:

  • Building Energy Use - for entities with very energy-efficient buildings
  • Building Design - recognizing facilities still being planned or built that are projected to be very energy efficient
  • Fleet Operations - for entities with a fleet powered by clean fuels
  • Employee Commuting - for entities that encourage their workforce to commute via bike, foot, transit, or telecommuting
  • Water Saving Practices - for entities that have implemented practices to reduce water consumption
  • Waste Diversion Practices - for entities that have strong waste diversion practices
  • Sustainable Land Use Practices - for entities that have strong land use practices
  • Catalysts - for entities that help others take climate actions
  • GHG Emissions - for entities that have measured and reduced their emissions footprint
  • Other - for entities that have taken actions that don’t fit into other categories

Applying to be a Dane County Climate Champion is relatively simple with a short online form. OECC encourages entities to fill out the simple application to apply for recognition. Community members can also use the OECC forms to nominate a business or nonprofit for recognition.

“Achieving the ambitious goals set in the Dane County Climate Action Plan requires participation from everyone—residents, businesses, faith organizations, nonprofits, schools and local governments. That’s why we are so excited to recognize another cohort of Climate Champions in 2026,” said Kathy Kuntz, Director of Dane County’s Office of Energy and Climate Change. Dane County Climate Action Plan set a path to cut countywide emissions in half by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Last year, OECC presented 23 Climate Champions awards. Awardees ranged from local businesses to nonprofits and public schools.

“I’m proud to showcase the organizations that are leading on climate action. The variety of actions and dedication of local entities to reducing their emissions is inspiring to everyone in Dane County” said Agard.

To learn more and apply to be a 2026 Climate Champions, visit the Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change website and the related Climate Champions map.

###

Established in 2017 the Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change leads the county’s efforts to address climate change. As a division within the County Executive’s Office, the Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change works with local governments, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders to identify innovative ways to reduce countywide greenhouse gas emissions, consistent with the County’s 2020 Climate Action Plan.