MILWAUKEE – The American Conservation Coalition Campus (ACC Campus), in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, Players for the Planet, Robert Clemente Jr., and Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brent Suter today announced Sidelining Carbon, a new initiative focused on reducing the climate impact of professional sports team travel.
 
With a goal to offset at least 50 percent of the carbon footprint associated with professional sports team travel by 2025, ACC Campus works with teams and individual athletes to take the pledge and financially contribute towards the costs associated with offsetting a portion of their team travel.
 
Partnering with The Nature Conservancy, the initiative will provide an interactive landing page through Cool Effect, allowing teams and individuals to calculate their carbon footprint and purchase the equivalent amount of carbon credits. The carbon credits will be generated by investments in Nature Conservancy management of forest projects through practices that increase the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The credits are third-party verified and scientifically validated. Not only do these practices help us fight climate change, they improve water quality and fish and wildlife habitat.
 
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brent Suter, a leader in the sustainable sports movement, is a founding member and will be pledging his commitment along with his teammates Jedd Gyorko, Josh Hader, Keston Hiura, Brock Holt, Chris Hook, Manny Piña, Ed Sedar, Justin Smoak, Devin Williams, Brandon Woodruff and Christian Yelich, as well as David Stearns, Brewers President - Baseball Operations and General Manager.

“The increase in carbon emissions from traveling is a problem in our society that effects everyone and everything on the globe, and we want to be a part of the solution. Through the newly-founded Sidelining Carbon initiative, we can contribute to the solution by investing in reforestation, afforestation, and forest preservation, and in the process offset our team’s carbon emissions,” said Suter.

“As a lifelong Brewers fan and environmentalist, the kickoff of Sidelining Carbon is a dream come true,” said Benji Backer, ACC Campus President. “Most importantly, seeing the way athletes, teams, and the environment can support each other is inspiring. The entire ACC Campus team is looking forward to more teams joining the Sidelining Carbon in the coming months!”
 
“Natural Climate Solutions are a critical component of reducing the impacts of climate change,” said Josh Parrish, American Forest Carbon Initiative Director, The Nature Conservancy. “The Nature Conservancy is excited to be a partner in the Sidelining Carbon Initiative where fans, players, and teams can make contributions to reduce their carbon footprint and help grow healthy and productive forests. Healthy forests are good for the climate and hitting home runs.”