The UC Office of the President (UCOP) is the systemwide headquarters of the University of California that manages UC’s fiscal and business operations and supports the academic and research missions across its campuses, labs and health systems. UCOP owns and leases space primarily in California, but also has properties in Washington, D.C., and Mexico City.

In fiscal year 2020–21, UCOP completed a major office consolidation project in downtown Oakland. The consolidation, combined with reduced building occupancy due to COVID-19, led to a drop in scopes 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 37% and a reduction in potable water use by 64% compared to the previous fiscal year. Notably, UCOP’s headquarters, 1111 Franklin, saw a 63% decrease in natural gas CO2 emissions compared to 2019, due in part to energy efficiency measures related to building heating, ventilation and air conditioning. 

Stories

UC Office of the President LEED Silver and Energy Star Seal on exterior entrance of the building

JEDI-Centered Climate Resilience Planning and Stakeholder Engagement

UCOP’s sustainability team partnered with an equity consultant and campus stakeholders to develop guidance for climate resilience planning at campuses and health systems that centers justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI).

CLIMATE PROTECTION – EMISSIONS

Bar graph depicting emissions levels between 2009 and 2020, with projected goals through 2050, and split into two categories. Scopes 1+2 goal of 0 emissions by 2025. Scopes 1+2+3 goal of 0 emissions by 2050.

Year
Metric Tons CO₂e in Thousands

UCOP’s overall energy use decreased in 2020, mostly as a result of its workforce working remotely. 

ENERGY – RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY GENERATION

Bar graph depicting Renewable Electricity Generation levels, split into four categories: On-Campus Systems (1,332.6 Mwh/year), Off-Campus Contracts (0 Mwh/year), Off-Campus Opt-in Utility Programs (2,395 Mwh/year), and Off-Campus UC Wholesale Power Program (2,279.9 Mwh/year).

Year
Mwh/Year in Thousands

ENERGY USE INTENSITY (EUI)

Line graph depicting energy use intensity (EUI) between 2011 and 2020, split into two categories: EUI Target and EUI Actual. EUI Actual has remained under the EUI Target goal throughout.

Year
EUI (kBtu/Sqft)

UCOP saw a decrease in its EUI in the calendar year 2020.

Green building

UCOP did not add any new LEED certifications in 2021.

1 Platinum, 1 Gold and 2 Silver

Total number of LEED certifications
procurement

At the time of this report, sustainable procurement data was not yet available for fiscal year 2020–21. Fiscal year 2019–20 data is available in the 2020 Annual Sustainability Report.

Transportation

The Office of the President continued to make strides in its efforts to use alternative transportation methods.

Riding a bike icon
96.5%

of UCOP employees are utilizing alternative commuting methods

Electric vehicle charging station icon
3

EV charging stations at this location for 2020-2021

water

In 2020 16.4 million gallons of portable water used. 2021 5.8 million gallons of portable water used

Overall water use decreased for UCOP in fiscal year 2020–21 compared to the year before, mostly as a result of its workforce working remotely. However, the Franklin building had a water leak in winter 2021, and therefore consumption tripled during a two-month period compared to the year before. This year’s report illustrates the difference in water consumption between fiscal year 2019–20 and fiscal year 2020–21 instead of measuring progress toward the 2025 goal.

ZERO WASTE – GENERATion

Bar graph depicting waste generated between 2019 and 2020, split between four categories: Recycle, Organics, Allowable Residual Conversion, and Landfill. During this period, Landfill increased, Recycling increased, Organics decreased, and Allowable Residual Conversion dropped to 0.

Year
Lbs/Person/Day

ZERO WASTE – DIVERsion

Line graph depicting total waste diverted between FY 2018-19 and 2020-21, split into Diversion rate (no C&D) and Diversion rate (MSW+C&D), with a goal of 90%.

Year
Percent