University of CaliforniaIrvine

This past year, UC Irvine has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to the goals outlined in the UC Sustainable Practices Policy, as evident in its perseverance to achieve sustainable progress in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.

The construction and completion of two new student housing projects highlight UCI’s creativity and innovation in green building design. Plaza Verde Student Apartments opened to over 1,400 students in fall 2019 and is the campus’s first all-electric student housing project, eliminating the need for natural gas by utilizing heat pump water heaters and an electric outdoor grill system. The Middle Earth Towers house 500 first-year students in a project with LEED Platinum certification that incorporates features such as a 50-kilowatt photovoltaic system, natural ventilation and stormwater treatment systems that include green roofs. 

UCI also participated in the procurement of electricity for direct access accounts through the UC Power Program, which is 100% carbon-free. Additionally, in a collaborative greenhouse research project, 7,500 square feet of turfgrass was replaced with native and nonnative drought-tolerant plants, saving approximately 75,000 gallons of water per year.

As the campus shifted to remote learning and work due to the escalating global pandemic, sustainability champions across campus quickly adapted to developing virtual tools and resources. The Sustainability Spot, a student-run blog, serves as an outlet for sharing research, experiences and hopes for the future. The Sustainability Corner was created to provide a behind-the-scenes look into campus operations and to empower greater sustainable behavior while working remotely or on campus. The Sustainability Resource Center built a Virtual Earth Week Platform, showcasing a breadth of programs and opportunities around the world, receiving over 600 visits throughout the week.