Overall Rating Reporter - expired
Overall Score
Liaison Marina Zdobnova
Submission Date March 2, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of California, Berkeley
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete Reporter Kira Stoll
Director of Sustainability
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Published Plans That Address Sustainability 

Strategic Plan

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
The campus has both a Sustainability Plan and a Climate Action Plan. Each year, the campus reports on its progress through various mechanisms including the UC systemwide annual report.

A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
https://sustainability.berkeley.edu/reports

Sustainability Plan 

Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the sustainability plan:
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The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
https://sustainability.berkeley.edu/reports

Climate Action Plan 

Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the climate action plan:
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The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
https://sustainability.berkeley.edu/carbon-neutrality/calcap-plans-resources

Other Published Plans 

Does the institution have other published plans that address sustainability or include measurable sustainability objectives (e.g. campus master plan, physical campus plan, diversity plan, human resources plan)? :
Yes

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
https://sustainability.berkeley.edu/reports Sustainability Planning 2016 Carbon Neutrality Planning Framework 2015-2016 Report 2014 Report 2013 Report 2012 Report 2011 Report 2010 Report 2009 Report 2009 Climate Action Plan 2009 Sustainability Plan 2008 Assessment 2005 Assessment Additional plans found at this URL 2017 Climate Vulnerability: an initial assessment for UC Berkeley 2016 Cool Campus Challenge Summary and Evaluation Report 2014 Energy Management Initiative Annual Report 2014 Climate Change in Berkeley - Effects and Adaptations 2013 UC Berkeley 2013 Zero Municipal Solid Waste plan 2012 CACS Executive Summary of Report: Getting to 75% Diversion and Striving for Zero Waste 2012 UC Berkeley Guidelines for Acquiring Energy Certification and Carbon Offsets 2012 Converting University Spending to Green House Gas Emissions: A Supply Chain Carbon Footprint Analysis of UC Berkeley 2011-2012 UC Berkeley's Strategic Energy Plan--Project Highlights Campus physical and environmental planning long range development plan and environmental impact reports. These master plans include specific measures for climate, transportation, utilities, and more. Additional and numerous documents include sustainability elements. https://capitalstrategies.berkeley.edu/pep/campus-planning-documents http://guides.lib.berkeley.edu/c.php?g=15064&p=708250

Measurable Sustainability Objectives 

Curriculum

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The sustainability reports include an accounting of the number of majors and courses that include sustainability.

Research 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The

Campus Engagement 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Office of Sustainability and Energy's green certification programs track and report metrics, including types of sustainable actions taken and number of people served. https://sustainability.berkeley.edu/engage/green-certifications Additionally, the office tracks its website, Facebook and newsletter participation.

Public Engagement 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Air & Climate 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The University of California System will be carbon neutral from building energy and fleet vehicle use by the year 2025. For Berkeley this means reducing our emissions by about 80%. This goal will require infrastructure investments, new resources, and inclusive and reliable partnerships between the campus, UC Office of the President, and other stakeholders. While implementing efficiency measures will remain important, a significant focus will need to be on the acquisition of renewable energy – both electricity and fuels.

Buildings 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Outlined in the Sustainability Report, UC Berkeley's goal for advancing sustainability in buildings is to design future projects to minimize energy and water consumption and wastewater production; incorporate sustainable design principles into capital investment decisions; base capital investment decisions on life cycle cost, including the cost of known future expenditures. This goal will be met through the Energy Policy, which outlines conservation schedules and guidelines for heating, cooling, and ventilation; lighting; equipment, including computers; and construction and renovation projects. The Policy also establishes an aspirational “No Net Increase” energy goal to direct energy performance goals for renovation projects. See the energy policy: http://campuspol.berkeley.edu/policies/energyuse.pdf For more information on the Sustainability Report: http://sustainability.berkeley.edu/reports

Energy 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The energy management Initiative consider continued success at reducing campus energy use. The Energy Use Policy was finalized and became effective in January 2014. It includes a provision that smaller building retrofits achieve no net increase in energy use. Campus outreach continues to address behavior change and to support all of the Initiative elements.

Food & Dining 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Through the Sustainability Report, the campus has set a measurable objective of increasing sustainable food purchases by campus foodservice providers and has exceeded 20%. For more information on the Sustainability Report: http://sustainability.berkeley.edu/reports

Grounds 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Physical and Environmental Planning (PEP) within Capital Projects/Facilities Services provides comprehensive general, environmental, and project planning services for the Berkeley campus. PEP is also responsible for conducting a regular housing and transportation survey of staff and students, and for ensuring that the campus is in compliance with the state-mandated California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). PEP’s planning efforts, focusing on facilities, infrastructure, transportation, recreation and open space, and environmental management, are guided by the campus’ Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) and its updates. The current LRDP, known as the 2020 LRDP, was approved by The Regents in January 2005.

Purchasing 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
As laid out in the Sustainability Report, UC Berkeley staff and faculty must comply with the University of California environmentally-preferable purchasing policies and procedures. Strategic Sourcing is a University of California (UC) procurement strategy designed to leverage the purchasing power of our collective spend, system-wide or campus-wide, for common purchases and to redirect the resulting savings to the University’s mission. Through solicitations and negotiations, the goals are to achieve lower costs of purchasing goods and services, to improve product quality, and to obtain better service levels from suppliers. In compliance with the UC “Sustainable Practices Policy”, Strategic Sourcing supports efforts around sustainable purchasing by ensuring bids and contracts require suppliers to demonstrate their dedication to sustainable practices, both in their product offerings and business operations. Where applicable, Strategic Sourcing leverages the University’s purchasing power to target environmentally preferable products and services for volume-discounted pricing to make them cost competitive with conventional products and services. This approach helps to encourage preferential purchases of such products including Energy Star equipment, recycled content products, and other third-party certified green items, along with providing some guidance to suppliers on minimizing packaging waste and developing take-back programs. For more information on the Sustainability Report: http://sustainability.berkeley.edu/reports

Transportation 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
As highlighted in the Sustainability Report, the current goal to reduce fuel use by commuters and campus fleet to 25% below 1990 levels by 2014 has been exceeded. The LRDP also includes transportation objectives. For more information on the Sustainability Report: http://sustainability.berkeley.edu/reports

Waste 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:
As stated in the Sustainability Report, the campus goal for waste is to achieve zero waste by 2020. The campus is currently on track to reach this goal. For more information on the Sustainability Report: http://sustainability.berkeley.edu/reports

Water 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
As part of a broader response to on-going drought conditions in California, the campus is continuing conversion of lawns. Multiple areas that have been irrigated are being converted to drought tolerant plants or mulch. Additionally, it is estimated several million more gallons have been saved by eliminating leaks in just one campus building. In total, the campus has reduced water use by 6.5% in 2014 relative to 2013. Summarized in the Sustainability Report, the campus aims to reduce potable water use to 10% below 2008 levels by 2020. The campus is on track to meet this goal. For more information on the Sustainability Report: http://sustainability.berkeley.edu/reports

Diversity & Affordability 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The campus maintains a diversity website which compiles information on the work of the Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion, the Campus Climate Survey, the Berkeley Principles of Community, and other related efforts, including academic initiatives and related resources. UC Berkeley also maintains diversity and affordability through a Diversity Snapshot Report, which outlines the strengths and weaknesses of the campus while setting targets for the future. Current goals can be found at: http://diversity.berkeley.edu/2013–2014-priorities For more information on the Diversity Snapshot: http://diversity.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/Diversity-Snapshot-web-FINAL.pdf For more information on the Diversity website: http://diversity.berkeley.edu/

Investment & Finance 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The measurable objectives for the climate change investment approach are to: allocate $1 billion over five years for direct investments in solutions to climate change; adhere to the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the largest university and the first public American university to do so; establish and implement a framework for sustainable investment with the goal of completion by the end of the current fiscal year. Integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors as a core component of portfolio optimization and risk management; evaluate all strategies for achieving ESG goals as soon as practical, including whether to use divestment. For more information: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/press-room/uc-combat-climate-change http://link.ucop.edu/2015/12/07/uc-joins-coalition-led-by-bill-gates/

Wellbeing & Work 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Health Matter program provides objectives and policies regarding nutrition and well being that are related to sustainability. https://uhs.berkeley.edu/wellness

Other Impact Areas 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Optional Fields 

Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body (e.g. a mission statement that specifically includes sustainability and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees)? :
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The formal statement in support of sustainability:
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The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
UC Berkeley defines sustainability as "the ability to meet the needs of the present while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems and without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter ---
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) ---
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter ---
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment Yes
The Talloires Declaration (TD) ---
UN Global Compact ---
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) ---

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
Berkeley campus http://sustainability.berkeley.edu/initiatives UC system http://ucop.edu/sustainability/programs-initiatives/index.html

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
http://sustainability.berkeley.edu/initiatives

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.