Sustainability Annual Report 2024
UCOP owns and leases spaces primarily in California, and also owns a building in Washington, D.C. (UCDC).
In spring 2023, UCOP executed the second phase of the Return to Work program, with in-office anchor days for staff increasing to two days per week in the Oakland headquarters and other locations similarly ramping up in-person operations. These changes have continued to increase staff on-site presence throughout 2023 and 2024.
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The sustainability data for fiscal year 2023–24 reflects both progress and challenges faced by UCOP during the year. There was a notable reduction in scope 1 emissions due to decreased natural gas usage. This is attributed to the continued efforts by UCOP facility managers and engineers, who make significant improvements in operational efficiency. Scope 2 emissions surged, driven primarily by the addition of one facility to UCOP’s portfolio. Increased in-person activities also impacted the sustainability metrics. The increase in on-site staff led to a rise in single-occupancy-vehicle usage and overall water consumption. However, this was offset by a significant reduction in per capita waste generation and water use. Despite external challenges, including fluctuating occupancy levels and the addition of new facilities, UCOP remains committed to advancing its sustainability objectives, as evidenced by these data trends.
Stories
UCPath Center Implements a Comprehensive Composting Program
In April 2024, the UCPath Center, also known as the Intellicenter Facility in Riverside, implemented a comprehensive composting program. This initiative, driven by the collaborative efforts of UCOP Building & Administrative Service Center, on-site personnel, Energy & Sustainability staff, as well as UC Riverside’s facility and sustainability teams, highlights the power of collective action in addressing the climate crisis.
Sustainability Employee Resource Group Marks Earth Month With Virtual Events
Last year’s Earth Week events, organized by the UCOP Sustainability Employee Resource Group and the UC Central Travel Office, highlighted UCOP employees’ commitment to fostering a sustainable community. The various events, conducted in two locations and through both in-person and virtual formats, showcased the ability of employees to address the climate crisis effectively, regardless of their work mode or location.
EMISSIONS
*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
As UCOP’s emissions levels are low compared to campus emissions, a relatively small change in operations can lead to a large percent change in year-over-year emissions. In 2023, UCOP saw a 22% decrease in scope 1 emissions, mainly from UCDC having a milder winter with less heating loads. There was a significant increase in scope 2 emissions, driven by the addition of the UC Center Sacramento facility. UCOP saw a 77% increase in scope 3 emissions due to the 2023 return to in-person work and increased business travel post-pandemic.
ENERGY – RENEWABLE ENERGY USE
ENERGY USE INTENSITY (EUI)
UCOP saw an increase in its EUI in the calendar year 2023.
Green building
The UC Center Sacramento is a newly renovated facility that serves as a place for educating UC students in politics and policymaking. Renovated in 2023, the facility achieved Gold-level certification under the LEED v4 Building Design + Construction standards from the U.S. Green Building Council.
1 Platinum, 4 Gold and 2 Silver
Total number of LEED certifications
procurement
green spend on electronics (84%)
green spend on indoor office furniture (99%)
green spend on cleaning supplies (42%)
green spend on office supplies (3%)
The University reports on green spend, as defined in the Sustainable Procurement Guidelines, and reached out to suppliers for spend data in four product categories for this year’s report.
Green spend is defined as meeting preferred or minimum criteria in UC’s Sustainable Procurement Guidelines.
Suppliers reporting: Electronics (7), Furniture (4), Cleaning supplies (4), Office supplies (4).
UC Systemwide Spend Analytics category data provided by CalUSource.
Transportation
of students and employees are utilizing sustainable commuting methods
EV charging ports
Since UCOP’s Return to Work policy was established in 2023, the number of on-site employees increased, with a 4% decrease in telecommute rates in fiscal year 2023–24. This trend corresponded with a 5% increase in single-occupancy-vehicle commute trips and a 7% increase in transit ridership. These findings were estimated based on hybrid schedules, parking scans, building occupancy reports and a commuter survey at the Intellicenter in Riverside.
WATER
*Based on a 3-year average of fiscal years 2005-08
**2025 goal is a 36% reduction from baseline.
UCOP’s total water consumption increased by roughly 14% across most facilities from fiscal year 2022–23 to fiscal year 2023–24 due to more staff working on-site. While total potable water use increased, per capita potable water consumption decreased by 21%.
ZERO WASTE – GENERATION
*These numbers might include a small amount of incineration that is being phased out.
**Boundary changes give cause to difference in values from previous years (i.e. leased buildings).
Waste generation decreased from 3.5 to 2.6 pounds per person per day. This reduction is due to an increase in building occupancy compared with the previous fiscal year, and a reduction in large furniture purchases in 2023–24 after the Franklin and Broadway building remodels were completed. Waste audits will be conducted to enhance the accuracy of waste generation data in future reports. Additionally, UCOP identified discrepancies in its baseline goal, as the expansion of the facility portfolio has rendered the original baseline unrepresentative.
ZERO WASTE – DIVERsion
*Waste incineration was counted as diversion prior to July 2022.
UCOP reported a diversion rate of 57% for fiscal year 2023–24, excluding construction and demolition waste. This marked a 6% decrease from the previous fiscal year. The decline is attributable to the unusually high volume of recycling from furniture purchases and renovations at the Franklin facility during fiscal year 2022–23. Additionally, the Intellicenter began separating food waste from landfill disposal in March 2024; however, the impact of this initiative will not be reflected until the next reporting year.
Single-Use Plastics Phase-Out
Complete Phase-out*
- N/A
Partial Phase-out
- Plastic bags
- Foodware in UC dining facilities
- Foodware in third-party dining facilities
- Beverage bottles in UC dining facilities
Starting Soon
- Beverage bottles in vending machines
*Complete phase-out of single-use plastics may include exemptions where reasonable alternatives to plastic do not exist.
UCOP made partial progress in phasing out single-use plastics in its facilities. The delay in achieving complete phase-out is primarily due to high staff turnover in the Sustainability Lead role and the challenges associated with implementing waste policies effectively in a decentralized campus. However, addressing these issues remains a priority for the coming year, with plans to refocus efforts and achieve full compliance with the reduction goals.