City of La Crosse Announces Measurable CAP Goals for 2026
The City of La Crosse Climate Action Plan (CAP) Steering Committee recently backed recommendations from the city’s Environmental & Sustainability Planner, Lewis Kuhlman, to achieve 5 CAP goals in 2026. These goals support the top climate actions highlighted in the CAP, which was adopted in 2023.
20% communitywide electric vehicle adoption.
30% electrification of the municipal fleet.
Increase the city’s renewable electricity from 0.24% to 5%.
Increase recycling from 12.8% to 20% of total municipal waste.
Increase public transit ridership to 3% of commuter trips.
Expand the city’s urban tree canopy to 32.5% tree cover.
The purpose is to show the city’s commitment to making climate-smart choices accessible, affordable, and beneficial for everyone—today and for future generations.
The CAP exists to inspire residents, businesses, and institutions in La Crosse to take practical, collective action that protects local natural resources, strengthens the community, and prepares the city for a sustainable future. By emphasizing progress, shared responsibility, and local pride, climate action is positioned as something that improves daily life—not an abstract or distant issue.
Residents, businesses, municipal employees, and developers/property managers will be engaged as implementers and influencers to accomplish and increase awareness of the 2026 goals. The goals will include easily recognizable Campaign names and icons.
Drive Electric La Crosse
Promote EV benefits, incentives, charging infrastructure, and local success stories through a coordinated “Drive Electric La Crosse” campaign. Demonstrate the city’s leadership through branded vehicles, internal communications, and transparent reporting of cost and emissions savings.
Grow Solar La Crosse
Educate residents and businesses on solar and green power options through a “Power La Crosse Renewably” campaign
Recycle La Crosse
Improve clarity and consistency of recycling education with visual tools and renter-focused outreach.
Ride La Crosse
Improve visibility, usability, and perception of transit through rider education, employer partnerships, and branding under a “Ride La Crosse” campaign.
Go Green La Crosse
Promote planting programs, neighborhood greening, and heat mitigation through a “Grow La Crosse” initiative.
City departments will be involved with both helping achieve the goals and communicating ways residents and businesses can contribute.
Department: Environmental Planner (lead)
Campaign(s): All
Maintain Climate Action webpage and dashboard
Coordinate annual communications calendar
Track metrics and prepare annual progress report
Manage campaign branding and consistency
Convene interdepartmental coordination meetings
Department: Communications / Public Information Office
Campaign(s): All
Ensure messaging is included across all city platforms
Coordinate media outreach
Support campaign launches
Manage internal communications channels
Department: Public Works / Utilities
Campaign(s): WaterSmart La Crosse
Integrate water conservation messaging into billing
Promote rebates and efficiency programs
Provide seasonal conservation content
Share water use data annually
Department: Parks & Recreation
Campaign(s): Go Green La Crosse
Promote tree planting programs
Coordinate community planting events
Track tree canopy metrics
Target outreach in low-canopy areas
Department: Solid Waste / Recycling
Campaign(s): Recycle La Crosse
Standardize recycling messaging
Distribute visual recycling guides
Coordinate with haulers and property managers
Track contamination and diversion rates
Department: Transit Department
Campaign(s): Ride La Crosse
Update route maps and rider guides
Support Ride La Crosse campaign
Coordinate free-ride or promo days
Share ridership data for reporting
Department: Fleet Management
Campaign(s): Drive Electric La Crosse
Identify vehicles eligible for electrification
Brand EV fleet vehicles
Train operators on EV use
Report cost and emissions savings
The CAP provides programs and ideas that businesses and individuals can implement to help the city achieve its 2026 goals and realize energy cost savings. You can learn more about what you can do at lacrosseclimateactionplan.org.