To the UC Davis Community:
As the new year begins, our commitment to sustainable practices remains at the heart of UC Davis’ DNA. Students, faculty and staff are all determined to make our campus environmentally friendly, now and in the future.
We started the new year with further evidence of our impact. Just before winter break, we learned that UC Davis was named the greenest university in the nation for the ninth year in a row in the UI GreenMetric rankings. These rankings reflect progress in such areas as energy and climate change, waste, water, transportation, and our impact in education and research.
This accomplishment is a testament to our community’s commitment to addressing climate change, which is among the world’s most pressing issues. The urgency of the situation is made clear by the widespread droughts, rising sea levels and increased wildfires we are witnessing.
The time is now to find solutions in the face of the climate crisis. That’s why sustainability remains a core element of our Grand Challenges initiative, which seeks to address the world’s most “wicked problems” through a cross-disciplinary approach. We are also actively engaged in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through innovation and collaboration in teaching, research and service. UC Davis is driven to find solutions to the climate crisis, with an all-hands-on-deck approach from all corners of the university, from all our colleges and schools, UC Davis Health and beyond.
We are guided by the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices, which sets a bold systemwide goal to achieve at least a 90% reduction in total emissions by 2045. UC Davis is one of the systemwide leaders in this area.
Our campus functions as a living laboratory, allowing our faculty to collaborate with students and operational teams to transform theory into practice. We are showing the world what’s possible with sustainable campus operations while making discoveries that lead to a healthier planet.
Sustainable practices in action
UC Davis is embarking on a comprehensive update to its Climate Action Plan, or CAP — our first since 2009-10. This update will serve as a strategic roadmap for achieving the university’s climate goals, including significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and advancing sustainability across campus operations.
The revised CAP will reflect updated data, align with California’s climate mandates, and incorporate innovative strategies to address our energy infrastructure, transportation systems and waste reduction methods. UC Davis, along with other UCs, recently submitted its greenhouse gas reduction targets: 15% by 2030, 55% by 2035 and 90% by 2040 for our campus. The targets include the Medical Center, and we found it important to submit targets that we felt were both ambitious and accomplishable.
The CAP, due in late 2025, will build upon these targets and explore other planning scenarios that accelerate emissions reductions efforts as documented in our Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan. A more sustainable and equitable future is on the horizon, but there’s work to be done on the way, including additional investments in green infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the ongoing Big Shift is accelerating our campus operations away from fossil fuels. Once completed, the project will shrink the heating plant’s carbon footprint by 80%. To stay informed of progress on the Big Shift, students, staff, and faculty can sign up for the Big Shift newsletter and visit the Big Shift website. Thus far, the Big Shift has been entirely funded by campus resources, though we remain hopeful for some external funding at some point so we can complete this work more quickly.
With the support of a $4.77 million grant, we are investing in our Renewable Energy Anaerobic Digester, or READ facility, to enhance its ability to transform food waste into renewable biogas and certified organic fertilizer. In addition to reducing methane emissions from landfills by diverting thousands of tons of food waste every year, it will be converting 50 tons of organic waste into as much as 12,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity each day with state-of-the-art generators to power Unitrans’ new electric buses. New equipment installed this year will enable the facility to operate at full capacity and process a broader range of food waste.
As we build the campus of the future, our commitment to sustainable practices is baked into our newest projects from the beginning.
We are breaking ground this spring on an infill housing project in the Segundo area that, like all other recent housing projects, will be 100% electric. It is on track to achieve LEED Gold status and will open in the fall of 2027.
In the end, we can’t be a model campus of sustainability without the dedication of our staff and students. I applaud our students for taking action. Through UC Davis Sustainability, they’re gaining professional development and participating in experiential learning. Their contributions have led to the development and optimization of energy systems at UC Davis through project-based courses like the Pathway to Zero-Net Energy. Our Climate Action Fellows and Sustainable Development Goals Interns also strengthen campus sustainability practices through student engagement and project work supporting the UC system’s climate action goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Across the Causeway
The UC Davis Health campus in Sacramento is also showing leadership and gaining recognition for setting new standards in sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Last year, Practice Greenhealth recognized UC Davis Health with a Top 25 Environmental Excellence Award for the third consecutive year. Moreover, Practice Greenhealth recognized UC Davis Health with the Greening the OR Recognition Award for improving sustainable practices in the operating room and with recognition in its Circles of Excellence for sustainable procurement, water and green building.
These accolades reflect such efforts as increasing the volume of recyclable items being diverted to a regional recycling center, reducing energy consumption and implementing new clinical sustainability initiatives. UC Davis Health also launched an online sustainability suggestion box to gather ideas for making the hospital as environmentally friendly as possible while maintaining optimal patient care.
Also in Sacramento, Aggie Square is at the forefront of sustainability, from its sustainably powered classroom and lab buildings to its drought-resistant landscaping. This groundbreaking project is designed to minimize its carbon footprint and use highly efficient energy systems, paving the way for a better future.
Aggie Square’s labs use an all-electric approach. These advanced electric systems will power sterilizers, washers, humidification, boilers and other laboratory equipment. The labs are also equipped with state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems. Its robust ventilation system draws solely from outside air, fostering a healthy and productive space for research and discovery.
Shared values
We know we can’t do this work alone. Our commitment extends beyond the campus to working with our city partners and Yolo County as we journey toward increased sustainability.
Joint initiatives like Moving Forward Together address sustainable transportation while reducing our carbon footprint and improving wellness. This program includes bike infrastructure, pedestrian crossings and transit routes that will streamline movement while prioritizing the safety of everyone using our roads and sidewalks. New stop signs are also coming as a result of this work.
The Short-Range Transit Plan prioritizes investments in bus services and routes over the next five to ten years. It’s designed to better connect our communities and enhance our already robust public transportation network.
As mentioned earlier, our Unitrans network is moving towards an all-electric fleet to reduce emissions. It leverages a $1.6 million grant from the Department of Transportation to build infrastructure and purchase charging equipment to support the fleet.
UC Davis is also a partner in Yolo County’s Zero Emission Vehicle Plan, a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant-funded plan to evaluate and develop support for more zero-emission vehicles. This partnership further ensures that low-income households can acquire this technology.
We recognize that our work today will shape a better future for generations to come, and we are committed to that critical work. Let’s keep working together to make our planet as healthy as possible.
Sincerely,
Gary S. May
Chancellor