UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) delivers the land grant mission for UC and California by developing and promoting practical, science-based solutions for the state’s food systems, water resources and natural ecosystems.

UC ANR’s statewide facilities — including nine Research and Extension Centers (RECs), the Elkus Ranch Environmental Education Center and an administrative building — continued sustainable practices in fiscal year 2022–23.

Read More about Sustainability at UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Between 2022 and 2023, UC ANR’s facilities reduced carbon dioxide emissions from 1,266 to 979 metric tons and reduced natural gas use 4% by improving facilities’ energy efficiency and encouraging a reduction in employees’ overall energy use. In fiscal year 2022–23, potable water consumption decreased from the prior year, from 20.5 million gallons to 18 million gallons. This was largely due to the relocation of the Hansen REC: research concluded at the former site in 2022 and will ramp up at the new site in 2023.

While electricity use increased by 62%, overall indirect greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 52% as UC ANR transitions to purchased carbon-free electricity through UC’s Clean Power Program. Several factors impacted electricity use. UC ANR facilities store temperature-sensitive crops and research materials. With hotter weather, more energy is required to keep them — as well as employees — cool. Additionally, as of June 2023, UC ANR hired 60 additional academic staff with plans to recruit another 95 personnel. More people are accessing facilities. That said, new hires also expand UC ANR’s capacity to conduct research and outreach to support sustainable transitions.

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Stories

Solar panels

UC ANR Research and Outreach Spur Innovative Efforts To Expand Solar Power by Covering Canals

UC ANR research and outreach contributed to implementation of an innovative approach for expanding solar energy production while also delivering water savings to agricultural lands in the Central Valley. A UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) specialist located at UC Merced collaborated with UC Merced and UC Santa Cruz researchers on a study of energy and water co-benefits from covering irrigation canals with solar panels.

Climate Stewards teaching at Leek Spring Meadow

UC Climate Stewards Take Action To Reduce Carbon Emissions and Build Climate Resilience

UC Environmental Stewards, a statewide UC ANR program, works with over 70 partner organizations to promote environmental literacy and stewardship through discovery and action. Its newest certification program, UC Climate Stewards, builds statewide capacity to advance climate goals and improve ecosystem resilience by improving public access to climate science and fostering local communities of practice.

CLIMATE PROTECTION – EMISSIONS

A bar graph depicts emissions over time. In 2022, UC ANR emitted 970 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in Scope 1 Net Emissions, 174 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in Scope 2 Net Emissions.

Calendar Year
Metric Tons CO₂e in Thousands

* Interim goals for 2030, 2035 and 2040 to be developed through fossil-free planning that is underway at each location

** 90% direct reduction of total emissions from 2019 levels with residual emissions negated by carbon removal

UC ANR hired 60 additional academic and staff personnel in order to increase its capacity to conduct research and outreach. In addition to this additional staffing, other factors that impacted the increase of electricity use included hotter weather, which required more energy to keep temperature-sensitive crops and research materials, as well as employees, cool. UC ANR decreased its scope 2 emissions by 52% due to the associated transition to purchased carbon-free electricity through UC’s Clean Power Program.

ENERGY – RENEWABLE energy use

In 2022, UC ANR used 2122 megawatt hours from Off-campus UC Clean Power Program, 3 megawatt hours from Off-campus Utility Programs, 149 megawatt hours from On-campus Systems.

Calendar Year
Mwh/Year in Thousands

ENERGY USE INTENSITY (EUI)

A line graph depicts energy use intensity over time. The energy use intensity at UC ANR in 2022 of 32.01 was above the annual target of 27.25.

Calendar Year
EUI (kBtu/Sqft)

UC ANR saw an increase in its EUI in 2022.

Green building

UC ANR did not add any new LEED certified buildings but still maintains certification for its headquarters on Second Street in Davis.

1 Certified

Total number of LEED certifications

Transportation

Icon of electric charging
2

EV charging ports

Although it is often not feasible for UC ANR to purchase or lease electric or hybrid vehicles (given the need for pickup trucks that are not yet available in those models), when possible, UC ANR purchases or leases flex-fuel vehicles, which use alternative fuel. As the industry makes more electric or hybrid vehicles available, UC ANR is committed to replacing vehicles with these models.

Water

Potable water use decreased by 2 million gallons because one research and extension center moved. As this center transitions to its new location, research will gradually ramp back up.

Icon of a water jug
18.1M

gallons of water used in 2023

Awards

A full list of awards is featured on the UC Office of the President’s website.