West LA Times

UCLA has made notable progress in its sustainability initiatives over the past year, according to the University of California's annual report on sustainability. The university has achieved significant reductions in its direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions and total water usage.

As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, UCLA has enhanced its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) portfolio. Key projects include the restoration of the Nimoy Theater, which has been converted into an all-electric, Gold-level certified venue.

The university's policy on single-use plastics has contributed to the reduction of plastics in dining facilities and vending machines. UCLA, along with all University of California campuses, is working to combat climate change through various measures such as clean energy, plant-based meals, green building initiatives, water conservation, and the elimination of plastics.

A noteworthy decline in greenhouse gas emissions at UCLA resulted from reduced gas consumption and increased reliance on renewable energy. Additionally, a comprehensive decarbonization study was completed to transition to cleaner energy alternatives.

UCLA's food service operations have adopted more sustainable, plant-based menu options. The university has also added three new LEED-certified buildings, including the Nimoy Theater, to its campus.

Despite student population growth, water usage at UCLA has been significantly reduced. The campus has saved over 76 million gallons of water annually compared to pre-pandemic years, with per capita usage decreasing by over 15%. Water reclamation and the transformation of landscaping to native plants have also significantly contributed to water savings.

The university has made strides in reducing plastics by phasing out single-use beverage bottles in dining facilities and vending machines. Efforts are ongoing to eliminate plastic bags and single-use foodware.

Chief Sustainability Officer Nurit Katz highlighted the transition to aluminum water bottles, stating, “Students were a big part of pushing for (this policy) and it's now also a policy throughout the whole University of California.”

Alison Hewitt from UCLA reported on efforts led by the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) chapter at UCLA. “We feel the need to set an example (with the single-use plastics policy). If our research is saying this is harmful to the environment and harmful to health, we want to make sure that we're transitioning our practices.”

As the academic year concluded, departments at UCLA organized a sustainable move-out event. They collected and donated items such as furniture and houseware to prevent waste and reduce the environmental impact of student move-outs.

The 2024 annual report provides a comprehensive overview of the sustainability efforts across the University of California system, with detailed contributions from UCLA.