Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 79.54
Liaison Kelli O'Day
Submission Date June 20, 2023

STARS v2.2

University of California, Davis
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.50 / 4.00 Kelli O'Day
Assessment Program Manager
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Presidential Priorities Plan (released in September 2022) outlines the following UC-wide objectives under Priority 2: Leading on Climate Change:

Lead coordination of existing curricula and expand UC’s development of next-generation climate leaders: Achieve a curriculum score of 36 or higher from the AASHE STARS assessment by 2025 and have one million people take one of UC’s Bending the Curve training modules by 2030.

https://www.ucop.edu/president/_files/uc-presidential-priorities-plan.pdf

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Office of Public Scholarship and Engagement has published Public Scholarship for the Public Good: An Implementation Framework for UC Davis. This document does not specifically describe measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement. The Implementation Framework may be reviewed at: https://publicengagement.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk5056/files/files/page/UCDavisImplementationFramework.pdf

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The UC Davis Climate Action Plan, Water Action Plan, and Zero Waste Action Plan all include sustainability objectives as set forth in the UC Sustainable Practices Policy.

Those policy objectives include, but are not limited to:
- 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020
- Net zero GHG emissions for business operations by 2025
- Net zero GHG emissions inclusive of business travel and commuting by 2050
- 20% reduction in growth-adjusted potable water consumption by 2020 from a three year average baseline of FY 2005/06-2007/08
- 36% reduction in growth-adjusted potable water consumption by 2025 from a three year average baseline of FY 2005/06-2007/08
- Zero waste by 2020 and annually thereafter
- Reduce waste generation per capita to FY2015/16 levels by 2020
- Reduce waste generation by 25% per capita from FY2015/16 levels by 2025
- Reduce waste generation by 50% per capita from FY2015/16 levels by 2030

The UC Sustainable Practices Policy can be accessed at: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/SustainablePractices

UC Davis Sustainability plans can be viewed at:
https://sustainability.ucdavis.edu/resources

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; or wellbeing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The relatively new Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has published the Strategic Vision for Diversity and Inclusion, and among the goals are:
Goal 1: Identify, attract, retain, and graduate a diverse student body.
Goal 2: Identify, attract, retain, and graduate a diverse faculty and staff.
Goal 3: Advance a climate that fosters inclusion excellence.
Goal 4: Promote diversity and inclusion in research, teaching, public service, and training across campus and in neighboring communities.
Goals 5: Ensure accountability to diversity and inclusion efforts on campus and in serving neighboring communities.
https://diversity.sf.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk731/files/inline-files/EXEC%20SUMM%20POSTER_1.pdf

Additionally, the Provost has a current initiative on Achieving Equitable Outcomes. During the 2018–19 academic year, Chancellor May and Provost Hexter tasked two committees to explore ways to enhance student success, especially in the area of differential academic outcomes experienced by low-income, underrepresented, and/or first-generation students, as well as those in other groups. The group has created three sets of recommendations and is now selecting top-priority recommendations and planning for their implementation.
https://leadership.ucdavis.edu/about/provost/provosts-initiatives

The Presidential Priorities Plan (released in September 2022) outlines the following UC-wide objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion under Priority 3:

Strengthening an Inclusive, Respectful, and Safe Community:
Strengthening practices and policies that mitigate bias and discrimination: By 2030, fully implement non-discrimination policies in all settings, including patient care.

Improving cultural competency of leaders at all levels: By 2025, fully train and develop all UC leaders to foster inclusive campus environments, comply with non-discrimination policies and actively address population-based biases.

Addressing persistent exclusion: By 2030, increase the critical mass of UC students, faculty and administrative leaders from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities by becoming the premier Hispanic- and Minority-Serving Research University system in the country; by increasing investment in K-12 student academic preparation and the Native American Opportunity Plan; and by expanding doctoral, postdoctoral, faculty and administrator diversity initiatives.

Expanding knowledge base of social justice through research: By 2025, create systemwide research grant opportunities for faculty that build research excellence centered on social justice and that contribute to the eradication of racism, discrimination and harassment.
https://www.ucop.edu/president/_files/uc-presidential-priorities-plan.pdf

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

The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
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Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
Major theme

The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
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Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
No

The formal statement in support of sustainability:
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The institution’s definition of sustainability:
As a campus, UC Davis defines sustainability as encompassing four 'E's: environment, economics, equity and education, and being about people, collaboration and community. As the UC Davis Blueprint for a Green Future stated, "Sustainable practices support ecological, human, social and economic vitality for both our campus and the global community. Sustainable actions meet present needs while enhancing the environment and the ability of future generations to thrive."

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

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
UC Davis became a signatory in late 2007 to the then-ACUPCC, now-Second Nature Carbon Commitment. UC Davis became signatory of the Talloires Declaration in 2005 and remains an engaged member.

UC President Janet Napolitano and all 10 UC chancellors signed The SDG Accord 2019 climate emergency declaration letter that recognizes “the need for a drastic societal shift to combat the growing threat of climate change."

In signing the declaration, UC leaders agreed to a three-point plan that includes increasing action-oriented climate research; expanding education and outreach on environmental and sustainability issues; and achieving climate neutrality, a goal UC expects to achieve by 2025, five years ahead of the declaration’s pledge.

The UC Davis Chancellor also signed the We Are Still In declaration in 2017.

Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Sustainability is part of one of the five goals of the Chancellor’s Strategic Plan: Goal 3: Embrace diversity, practice inclusive excellence and strive for equity. Make UC Davis a place of excellence for learning and working by supporting a culture that values the contributions and aspirations of all our students, staff and faculty; promotes wellness and a culture of sustainability; and cultivates the open interchange of ideas.

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.