University of CaliforniaUCLA

In 2019, UCLA significantly expanded renewable energy through a historic rate agreement with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for 10 megawatts of off-site solar.

In a study supported in part by the Sustainable LA Grand Challenge and published in Nature Sustainability, researchers described a pathway for California to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

UCLA’s Grand Challenge, which includes research and recommendations from over 150 faculty members and researchers, also released the only comprehensive analysis of the region’s water systems, the Sustainable LA Grand Challenge Report Card on Los Angeles County Water. Additionally, UCLA researchers published the Biodiversity Atlas of Los Angeles, a new website to help scientists and residents better understand Los Angeles’ unique environment and see how native, nonnative and endangered species are distributed across the county. 

UCLA improved its water reclamation program, bringing total gallons saved to almost 40 million annually, and initiated a pilot program in chemistry labs to reduce water consumption. The Green Labs program also assessed 22 laboratories, certified four labs and engaged hundreds of campus researchers in sustainability.

UCLA’s new parking permit system, Bruin ePermit, replaced physical permits with license plate recognition, reducing waste and giving commuters flexibility to participate in sustainable transportation programs and pay for parking as needed. The League of American Bicyclists awarded UCLA the Gold Bicycle Friendly University designation, placing UCLA among the top 15% nationally.

In dining, Café 1919 received a three-star certification from the Green Restaurant Association. The Impossible Foodprint Project, launched in fall 2019, introduced plant-based meat and transparency about the carbon footprint of various menu items. Low-carbon and high-carbon menu icons were added to residential restaurant menus.

To advance zero waste goals, UCLA developed a single-use plastics policy with timelines ahead of the systemwide policy. Housing and Hospitality expanded composting by repurposing landfill chutes to compost chutes and adding in-room compost bins in all residence halls.