University of California System

In a unique collaboration between student leaders and the university administration, in 2004 the University of California adopted a comprehensive, ambitious Policy on Sustainable Practices. The policy includes goals for the university to achieve the following by the year 2020: reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50%; purchase 20% sustainable food; and send zero waste to landfills. Towards these goals, UC has already earned 87 LEED certifications and is saving $32 million annually on its utility bills thanks to energy efficiency investments.

This is part of UC’s broader sustainability commitment to lead the way toward a more economically robust, environmentally resilient, healthy future. UC campuses have become living laboratories for sustainability solutions.