The University of Michigan’s latest “Climate Action” report shows that its investments in renewable energy did not yield even a slight reduction in greenhouse gas emissions throughout the most recent fiscal year.

The millions of dollars in spending included “four electric buses, … 25 megawatts of  on-campus solar installations and implement[ing] the use of  geo-exchange ,” according to the student newspaper’s analysis.

The electric buses are just beginning to be used, but their effects will be minimal at best.

A graph included in the report shows that for the past two fiscal years, the Big Ten university has produced half a million metric tons of carbon dioxide.

Purchased electricity makes up about 40% of its carbon dioxide emissions; the university says its goal is to “[r]educe greenhouse gas emissions from purchased electricity” to net zero by the year 2025, which is quickly approaching.

The university also plans to “eliminate emissions from direct, on-campus sources,” such as building usage. Roughly 59% of its carbon dioxide emissions comes from its buildings.

Only 1% comes from its vehicles. But new electric buses are a visual sign that the university is committed to embracing the climate change agenda, even if they represent an inconsequential portion of the school’s emissions.

Public displays of environmental commitment are a stated goal of the university.

“On-site solar installations would also be highly visual, helping spur a campuswide culture of sustainability,” spokesman Rick Fitzgerald told the Michigan Daily. “This is especially important given many decarbonization strategies are not visible.”

Other efforts undertaken by the university give it good public relations.

“U-M electric buses look similar to much of the current fleet, but with decals that read ‘plugged in for our planet’ — intended to contribute to a campuswide culture of sustainability and encourage community members to learn more about university sustainability efforts,” the report states.

Michigan University is “now the lead institution in the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3), which connects 23 of the world’s leading research universities and university systems committed to accelerating climate action on campus, in communities, and at a global scale,” the report states.

Big promises to environmental activists are nothing new for public universities.

A 2022 report in the University of California, Los Angeles, student newspaper said the school would miss its carbon-neutral goal by 43 years. “Although UCLA is offsetting its carbon emissions, the university’s total carbon emissions continue to increase by an average of 1.7% each year since 2007,” the Daily Bruin reported.

A university spokesperson disputed the claims at the time, though he did not provide any sort of analysis of why the newspaper’s predictions were wrong.

The problem of relying on electric vehicles or other large-scale plans to reduce carbon dioxide is replicated at the federal level as well, where President Joe Biden continues to push for EVs.

“A 2021 study from Volvo Motors found that the production and manufacturing of its C40 Recharge electric model generates 70% more emissions than its gas vehicle counterpart, the XC40,” the Washington Examiner previously reported . “In particular, the massive batteries that power electric vehicles are carbon-intensive to make.”

EVs have other problems — some insurance companies are refusing to pay for expensive repairs on Teslas, instead sending them off to the garbage dump to rot for years to come.

Universities and the public should be wary of chemicals they release into the environment and look into sustainable practices that preserve natural resources while not subverting man to the land. Schools should be free to pursue cleaner energy as well, but they should also be realistic.

Matt Lamb is a contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog. He is an associate editor for the College Fix and has previously worked for Students for Life of America and Turning Point USA.