University of CaliforniaSanta Cruz

UC Santa Cruz made major advances toward meeting the systemwide 2025 carbon neutrality goal with the construction of its largest renewable energy system through a power purchase agreement.

A new 2.1-megawatt photovoltaic array located at the East Remote Parking Lot will replace approximately 20% of grid-purchased electricity, or just over 6% of the campus’s total electrical load. This equates to greenhouse gas reductions of 767 megatons of CO₂e, or 2.6% of UCSC’s scope 1 and 2 emissions. This large array will provide covered parking while saving the University approximately $6 million over the array’s 20-year lifetime. 

UCSC’s Carbon Neutrality Initiative Fellows developed an energy and emissions roadshow and promoted multiple energy conservation measures, such as the Million LED Challenge and the International Laboratory Freezer Challenge, which will continue to help educate the campus community and support carbon neutrality in the long term.

Several transportation accomplishments continue to chip away at UCSC’s scope 1 emissions. Out of 17 purchased light-duty fleet vehicles, the campus purchased 10 zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and two hybrids — the most sustainable year of purchases yet. Fleet Services received a $20,000 UCSC Carbon Fund grant to subsidize the purchase of the next five ZEVs. Additionally, Transportation and Parking Services worked with the City of Santa Cruz Metro to establish express bus routes, allowing for better service and increased ridership across campus.

In addition to working on carbon neutrality, the campus elevated the significance of resilience and adaptation planning. UCSC conducted a preliminary resilience assessment across campus, formally incorporated the topic within the work of the Risk Intelligence committee and briefed campus leadership. The campus also identified potential areas of partnership with the City of Santa Cruz Climate Action Program to continue exploring future climate impacts throughout the local community and across the region.