{"id":64,"date":"2020-10-02T19:38:42","date_gmt":"2020-10-02T19:38:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sustainabilityreport.ucop.edu\/?post_type=location&p=64"},"modified":"2023-04-21T16:07:14","modified_gmt":"2023-04-21T16:07:14","slug":"uc-irvine","status":"publish","type":"location","link":"https:\/\/sustainabilityreport.ucop.edu\/2021\/locations\/uc-irvine\/","title":{"rendered":"UC Irvine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Despite UC Irvine shifting to remote learning and work in fiscal year 2020\u201321, the campus persevered in maintaining its sustainable operations and engagement. UC Irvine is leveraging the lessons of the pandemic to continue to adapt and strengthen its sustainable practices for the years ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The campus built upon its robust green building portfolio<\/a>, certifying two LEED Platinum buildings \u2014 the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building and the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute. Additionally, Plaza Verde, a student housing project, earned LEED Gold certification. UC Irvine Dining also opened The Planteatery<\/a>, dedicated to providing plant-forward options. The campus was also recognized as having the 10th greenest fleet in the nation<\/a>, making it the highest-ranked university on the list.<\/p>\n\n\n

Read More about Sustainability at UC Irvine<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n

UC Irvine Green Labs<\/a> transitioned from in-person assessments to a virtual platform. The program experienced its highest level of participation, certifying four new labs, with others nearing certification completion. The UC Irvine Sustainability Fundamentals Training for Staff also shifted to an online platform. The online format was uniquely designed for all work settings \u2014 campus, remote and hybrid \u2014 providing an overview of simple sustainable actions and resources applicable to all work types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With decreased personnel on campus, UC Irvine experienced a 45% reduction in scope 3 (commuting and business air travel) emissions from the previous year, whereas scope 1 and 2 emissions dropped only slightly, by 4%. Potable water use decreased by 38% in comparison to the previous year. UC Irvine produced 65% of its normal total solid waste as compared to previous years and maintained a diversion rate of 80%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sustainability at UC Irvine<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
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The Environmental Justice League: UC Irvine Student Fellow with UC Carbon Neutrality Initiative Establishes Campus Collective Focused on Community-Driven, Equity-Based Climate Solutions<\/a><\/h3>\n

Neda Ibrahim, UC Irvine Carbon Neutrality Initiative student fellow, established the Environmental Justice Collective, a student-led project that seeks to educate the campus community about environmental justice issues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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Addressing Environmental Health Disparities in Southern California\u2019s Black Communities<\/a><\/h3>\n

Not far from UCI, some of the nation\u2019s unhealthiest air blankets neighborhoods. One of the world\u2019s busiest international airports, shipping ports in Long Beach and Los Angeles and their associated diesel truck traffic, industrial sites and oil refineries contribute to pollution not just in the air, but in the soil and water, as well. Residents in those communities are at higher risk of asthma, cancer and cardiovascular disease associated with pollution, among other negative health impacts. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n