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Click on the arrows below to see details of each Priority Initiative.
GOAL 1 – Build communities of care, resilience and preparedness in the face of climate change.
Priority Initiatives:
Identify UC Santa Cruz’s priority areas of focus for the Well-being Collective and each of the five pillars of the Health Promoting Campus, including associated Key Performance Indicators for each area.
Identified Well-being Collective membership for 3 of the 5 areas. Particularly popular wellness presentations, events, and success include: US Health Promoting Campus Network Presentation; UC Well-being Summit Presentation; CUCSA Well-being workgroup; UCSC Labyrinth Project; WISHES (well-being quarterly survey implementation); Staff Advisory Board Staff Experience Survey in development; formed a UC Wide Health Promoting Campus Workgroup; Mental Health First Aid for Staff and Mental Health Support Training for Supervisors and Managers; SAB Staff Appreciation Night; SAB Outstanding Staff Award and Milestone Event; supported the UC wide RFP workgroup for dental plan; participation on the UCSC Employee Housing Workgroup; CEJA Grant Workgroup; DSAS Symposium Presentation; VC’s and Student Lunch Presentation; UCSC Teaching Symposium. 19,889 engagements!
Identify one equity indicator that the UC Office of the President (UCOP) Sustainability Officer’s (SO) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEI/J) working group (wg) can potentially implement systemwide.
Supported the Just Transition and Equity Analysis as part of the Pathways to a Fossil Free UC Task Force effort, with a focus on campus labor transition. Specific support included developing findings and considerations via reposts, identifying stakeholder groups, recommending next steps, and collaborating with a systemwide consultant to help campuses coordinate and share best practices from their local equity analyses as well as identify potential equity indicators.
Offer co-curricular social and environmental justice programming across campus, including opportunities to get actively involved.
Acknowledging that there are numerous diverse on-campus opportunities related to climate and social justice work across myriad departments, this list represents a small selection of examples organized by groups like the Sustainability Office, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI), the People of Color Sustainability Collective (PoCSC), and the Arboretum. Examples include:
- Participation in the Sustainability Office’s Green Office and Green Lab certification program and the employee Sustainable Certificate Program
- Campus Wellness Fair
- People Planet Power Summit (PPP)
- Indigethanx
- Harvest Fest
- Two Campus Clean Up Days
- Multiple clothing swaps
- PoCSC Book Event
- Kresge Cumbia Night
- The Village Ramen
- Enviro Studies, Radical Then, Critical Now
- Slow Fashion Week
- Practical Activism Conference
- Campus Wellness Fair
- People Planet Power Summit (PPP)
- Indigethanx
Create a diverse portfolio of ways to distribute emergency preparedness trainings informed by the realities of climate change.
Full Emergency Preparedness Training has been developed and been provided to College RA Groups, Global Engagement, Student Success and Equity, Oakes College Staff (EPC), Dining Services Managers, Disability Resources Center, Student Health Services (abbreviated training, full training Oct 2025), Hahn Student Services (Building-Wide), Grounds Services, interested UCSC Affiliates, and Physical Planning, Development, and Operations.
In partnership with the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC), a Faculty-Oriented Classroom Emergency Preparedness Training was developed and delivered over four sessions. This also included the development of syllabus and course introduction resources.
Strengthen ties to the greater Santa Cruz community to build participatory-based and community-led climate capacity and resiliency efforts.
UCSC completed its participation with partners in support of a Transformative Climate Communities planning grant to support Pajaro Valley and downtown Watsonville. UCSC began collaborating with Measure Q county partners as an engaged community participant. This regional ballot-funded initiative prioritizes water quality, wildfire prevention, habitat restoration, and the creation of resilient ecosystems to ensure the health and well-being of Santa Cruz County’s environment and its residents for generations to come.
Advance green building practices in all capital projects.
Current construction projects are on track to meet Sustainable Practices Policy goals: Green Building Progress
GOAL 2 – Decarbonize campus to build an equitable, accessible, & fossil-free future.
Priority Initiatives:
Identify and pursue funding and revenue opportunities to support D&E initiatives.
Invest in initiatives that prepare and stage the campus for future electrification.
Engaging with UC Office of the President on a “Decarbonization Fund”. This account will utilize internal fees on natural gas and the sales of previously purchased biogas offsets to pay for on campus emission reduction projects. The UCSC Carbon Fund awarded 15 projects at a total of $131,075.
Develop and implement Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies to support bike safety and education.
Hired three “pedestrian ambassadors” to educate campus community about bike and pedestrian transportation opportunities. Implemented mandatory eBike safety training before receiving eBike registration. Installed bike safety signage at eight major eBike docks.
Advance short- and long-term improvements to shuttle operations and infrastructure.
Acquired software resources, Samsara for telematics and Flexigo to track buses. Added Silicon Valley and Safe Ride to the app booking process.
Implement Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Toolkit parking strategies.
TAPS transitioned to virtual parking permits with license plate recognition and continues to offer daily permits through AIMS or Parkmobile. TAPS also offers assistance to all individuals between the hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the TAPS Sales Office.
Track, and make public fossil fuel versus electric equipment and vehicles purchases.
Pursue additional planning and design of photovoltaic and battery storage.
Westside Research Park microgrid: 1MW PV solar+ 1MW/4MWh BESS advanced from design to construction.
Monterey Bay Education, Science and Technology Center: 80kW PV Solar + 120kW/240kWh BESS advanced from design to construction.
Emergency Response Center: 90kw PV solar + 125kw/500kwh BESS advanced from design to construction.
Hagar Family Student Housing: 800kW PV Solar + (4) BESS @ 100kW/372 kWh, and (1) BESS @ 250kW/558kWh still in construction.
The university has formally started a project to initiate exploration of a main campus PV+BESS microgrid.
Define and list high-value critical infrastructure and research equipment across campus.
UCSC created a Power Resiliency Working Group which finalized the tiered definitions of critical loads and equipment and they completed data collection of critical research equipment in research communities (PBSci, SOE, Social Sciences, Office of Research, Arts Division).
Prioritize LED building conversions and building commissioning opportunities.
Six buildings have completed LED construction design and went to bid in 2025.
These buildings are McHenry Library, JBEB, ISB, Communications, Hahn, A&R.
Started a high level commissioning of all science buildings, which has focused on PSB, Biomed, and E2 so far.
Early findings and improvements have been made to improve heating and cooling efficiencies at Biomed, PSB and E2.
A holiday scheduling commissioning project has begun to capture building shutdowns during all campus holidays.
GOAL 3 – Steward the land and water to support healthy ecosystems while balancing infrastructure needs.
Priority Initiatives:
Finalize and begin implementation of campuswide Habitat Conservation Plan.
Habitat conservation planning has progressed. The HCP and CEQA/NEPA review is anticipated to be complete by December 2026.
Preserve and monitor natural resources and ecosystems.
Successfully monitored and surveyed multiple unique species on UCSC’s campus. Visit UCSC’s Natural Reserve to appreciate the many diverse projects they completed this year.
The Arboretum is evaluating the New Zealand garden, as well as other plant collections, for its viability in our drought prone climate. They are working to replace non-viable plants that require multiple summer waterings with drought loving options.
Finalize the UCSC Wildfire Vegetation Management Plan and Cal VTP Project Specific Analysis.
The Wildfire Vegetation Management Plan and the California Vegetation Treatment Program Project Specific Analysis (CalVTP PSA) Environmental Impact Report Addendum will be completed by approximately winter quarter 25/26. UCSC received over $900K as part of a regional Cal Fire Forest Health Grant submitted by the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz. This funding will be dedicated to ~170 acres of vegetation treatment in Upper Campus and requires project completion within five years.
Engage faculty and students in living lab engagement opportunities related to advancing the goals of the S&CAP.
At least three decarbonization & electrification academic courses were taught this year: “Public Art for Decarbonizing the UCSC Campus” in the Arts department, “Living Lab in Environmental Sciences” in the Earth and Planetary Sciences department, and “Climate Change mitigation and Adaptation” in Environmental Studies. Visit UCSC’s Living Lab map to see the other multiple entities engaging in living lab programs. Visit Climate Action Network’s Unofficial Guide to Climate Classes to see more climate education opportunities.
Multiple departments utilize the Arboretum for plant sciences as well as the traditional ecological knowledge of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. In addition, the Art Department utilizes the Arboretum for inspiration and performances.
Meet or exceed the green building design requirements of the UC Sustainable Practices Policy for new construction and major renovation projects.
All UCSC new construction and renovations are on track for appropriate LEED scores and electrification.
Begin master plan for campus fleet and commuter EV charging while advancing immediate EV charging infrastructure needs.
UCSC added five level 2 EV ports in 2024. UCSC is developing the scope for a Public EV Charging Study for commuters, a Fleet EV Transition Plan, and Fleet EV Charging Study.
Conduct a feasibility study to determine if we can provide METRO layover bus parking on campus.
TAPS has entered into an agreement with a consultant to continue work on designing conceptual options for this project, with design concepts and costs to be developed in fall 2025.
Begin the Circulation Master Plan study.
Background conditions have been completed, and priority projects and criteria development are in process.
Advance water conservation and efficiency efforts.
Working with campus plumbing, housing, and irrigation, Energy Management’s leak detection intern was able to identify and help resolve 30,000 gallons/day worth of leaks, promoting water conservation and saving over $750,000 in one year alone!
Energy Management has also been working with Maddaus Water Management consultants on phase two of a campus water audit that began in 2007. This project phase has included celebrating wins in water metering and past efficiency projects, and identifying future water conservation projects.
Grounds has continued to upgrade its central irrigation system, adding six new controllers, added flow sensors, and improved master valves. They have also launched a robust preventative maintenance schedule which has helped stop leaks before they appear and improve the efficiency of nozzles.
GOAL 4 – Advance a circular economy in the consumption cycle.
Priority Initiatives:
Develop tools and resources to facilitate use of the UCSC procurement system to increase sustainably-sourced products and services for campus.
Procurement, working in conjunction with eProcurement, implemented a Guided Buying Strategy into CruzBuy. This initiative highlights vendors that help UCSC meet our small and diverse business spend goals, as well as offer sustainable and accessible products and/or services.
Work with vending machine vendors to remove all single-use plastic beverage bottles that have an available alternative from vending machines.
Student Sustainability Advisors worked alongside Procurement to assess plastic presence in vending machines across campus. Vending machines are now 90% single-use plastic free.
Secure resources and develop infrastructure that supports a culture of reuse and reusables and conduct annual data collection of reusable item usage vs disposable item usage to track the success of existing programs and identify future target areas.
Dining has fully assessed and compiled a list of all foodservice ware and their end-disposal site to understand areas for improvement. Retail dining has been working alongside select retail locations to present a “for-here” dining option and initiate use of reusables (i.e., baskets for sandwiches, fries, and chips)
Over 17,000 single-use to-go containers kept out of landfills; ~85% return rate of Eco Boxes (Ecobox deposits: 17045; Ecobox returns: 14,527)
Nearly 9,000 single-use cups kept out of landfills (BYOC fees: 8,959)
Increase consistency and accessibility of zero waste stations, including compost bin availability.
Campus now has nearly 100 full indoor Zero-Waste Stations (ZWS), has added over 20 new ZWS outdoors, and placed about 15 compost carts at the on-campus apartments. Most large, academic buildings have been evaluated to ensure consistency with indoor ZWS.
Complete Stage 1 of the Post Landfill Action Network’s ATLAS certification program.
Stage 1 of ATLAS was completed. UCSC received an overall Bronze rating (60.21%), this earned us 10th in the nation for “Zero Waste Campuses”. UCSC’s composting program and usage of dining ware alternatives received a platinum achievement.
Explore the feasibility of alternative waste management practices to increase landfill diversion.
Grounds and Custodial secured funding for ~15 pizza recycling boxes
The team started communications with Athletics and Recreation shoe recycling team to potentially divert 500+ custodial shoes a year
Conduct a complete accounting of food that is plant-based, meets the AASHE STARS definition of sustainable food, and/or from vendors who are building a resilient food system.
By Real Food Challenge standards, UCSC sustainable and plant-based spend is 23.46%.
GOAL 5 – Manage Sustainability Office programs and resources to maximize effective outreach, engagement, and transparency across campus community.
Priority Initiatives:
Host programs and events that advance a culture of sustainability amongst diverse campus community members.
Acknowledging that there are numerous diverse on-campus opportunities related to climate and social justice work across myriad departments, this list represents a small selection of examples organized by groups like the Sustainability Office, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI), the People of Color Sustainability Collective (PoCSC), and the Arboretum. Examples include:
-Participation in the Sustainability Office’s Green Office and Green Lab certification program and the employee Sustainable Certificate Program
-Campus Wellness Fair
-People Planet Power Summit (PPP)
-Indigethanx
-Harvest Fest
-Two Campus Clean Up Days
-Multiple clothing swaps
-PoCSC Book Event
-Kresge Cumbia Night
-The Village Ramen
-Enviro Studies, Radical Then, Critical Now
-Slow Fashion Week
-Practical Activism Conference
Provide paid student employment opportunities in relevant priority topic areas.
The Sustainability Office had 20 student positions in academic year 2024-25.
Visit Student Team Accomplishments to learn more.
Build and maintain a strong web and social media presence.
Across all social media channels – Followers: 4,093
Create and maintain regular feedback mechanisms for events and programs.
Multiple Sustainability Office programs assessed their effectiveness. Survey results include:
Carbon Fund: End of year survey: 100% of respondents said they are “likely” or “very likely” to recommend the program to a coworker. 100% said it the application process was “easy” or “very easy”.
Green Labs: End of year assessment of certified labs, “Did you learn anything new from this assessment?”
Responses: 100% of respondents said yes
Green Office: End of certification assessment, “Did the Green Office Certification Program help you identify and implement sustainable practices?”
Responses:100% of respondents said yes.
People Planet Power Summit (PPP): 100% of respondents said they would recommend PPP to a friend. Participant quote: “Loved it and really want to help organize next year’s summit and lead a workshop!”
Advance professional development for Sustainability Office staff.
The Sustainability Office team collectively averaged 2.2 professional development opportunities a month (classes taken, certificates achieved, networking, webinars, conferences, etc.)
Manage the Carbon Fund committee, awarding funds at least twice annually.
The Carbon Fund remained on schedule all year.
The Carbon Fund awarded 15 projects totaling $131,074.91.
Participate in Joint Senate/Admin committee on Climate Change, Sustainability & Resilience for Research and Teaching, and co-chair Operations Subcommittee.
The Operations Subcommittee is up and running to support the implementation of the Sustainability & Climate Action Plan. The group meets regularly throughout the academic year to discuss priority sustainability topics. The Teaching and Research subcommittees are also meeting to support curricular and research priorities, per the goals of the Leading the Change: UCSC Strategic Plan.
Establish and maintain regular annual cycle for sustainability reporting, including: UCOP, S&CAP, Carbon Fund, and Sustainability Certificate reports; distribute reports broadly.
University of California Office of the President (UCOP) Annual Report: data successfully submitted.
Sustainability & Climate Action Plan (S&CAP): progress report completed and new priority initiatives established.
Carbon Fund: annual report completed.
Student Team Accomplishments: annual report completed.
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS): submitted May 27, 2025.