Sustainability

Presidential Initiatives

Carbon Neutrality Initiative

In November 2013, President Napolitano announced the Carbon Neutrality Initiative (CNI), which commits the UC to emitting net zero greenhouse gases from its buildings and vehicle fleet by 2025. The President formed the Global Climate Leadership Council (GCLC) to advise UC on achieving this ambitious goal.

More information on campus and system level progress can be found in the Climate Change and Clean Energy section of this site, as well as in the most recent UC Annual Sustainability Report (pdf).

To date, the GCLC has secured funding for and supported implementation of a number of carbon neutrality projects in support of this initiative, including the Cool Campus Challenge, Carbon Neutrality Student Fellowships Program, a Deep Energy Efficiency study, Faculty Climate Action Champions, and campus carbon neutrality planning charrettes in spring 2016.

Learn more about how people think and act on climate by watching the UC-Vox "Climate Lab" series and follow @ClimateUC on Twitter for the latest UC research and news on climate and sustainability.

Global Food Initiative

The University of California Global Food Initiative (GFI) addresses one of the critical issues of our time: how to sustainably and nutritiously feed a world population expected to reach 8 billion by 2025.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative

As a cutting edge for research and innovation, the University of California brings sustainable technology from laboratory to market through its entrepreneurship programs. In addition to breakthroughs by its world class faculty, UC offers Cleantech to Market, a graduate level program that develops innovative cleantech leaders and entrepreneurs. From wave energy capture projects to biofuel innovations, UC student researchers are leading the way to a sustainable future. Read more about UC innovation and entrepreneurship in the annual UC Technology Commercialization Report.