University of California, Los Angeles
PAE-4: Sustainability Plan

The UC Sustainable Practices Policy was developed collaboratively by the 10 campuses of the UC system. This comprehensive policy sets concrete targets and procedures for areas including green buildings, clean energy, climate, waste, purchasing, and food. In addition to implementing the UC Policy, Housing and Hospitality services at UCLA has developed a strategic plan in alignment with University-wide and UC System-wide goals as well as metrics developed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability and Higher Education. Housing and Hospitality Services goals also consider the importance of staff and student education and institutional robustness to changes in government policy as well as resource availability.

The UC Policy on Sustainable Practices has the following goals: • Incorporate the principles of energy efficiency and sustainability in all capital projects, renovation projects, operations and maintenance within budgetary constraints and programmatic requirements. • Minimize the use of non-renewable energy sources on behalf of the University’s built environment by creating a portfolio approach to energy use, including the use of local renewable energy and purchase of green power from the grid as well as conservation measures that reduce energy consumption. • Incorporate alternative means of transportation to/from and within the campus to improve the quality of life on campus and in the surrounding community. The campuses will continue their strong commitment to provide affordable on-campus housing, in order to reduce the volume of commutes to and from campus. These housing goals are detailed in the campuses’ Long Range Development Plans. • Track, report and minimize greenhouse gas emissions on behalf of University operations • Minimize the amount of University generated waste sent to landfill. • Utilize the University’s purchasing power to meet its sustainability objectives. The UC Policy on Sustainable Practices also states guidelines for implementing practices in support of Green Building Design, Clean Energy Standards, and Sustainable Transportation Practices. Examples of these guidelines include: • Given the importance of energy efficiency to Green Building design, the University has set a goal for all new building projects, other than acute-care facilities, to outperform the required provisions of the California Energy Code (Title 24) energy-efficiency standards by at least 20 percent. Standards for energy efficiency for acute care facilities will be developed in consultation with campuses and medical centers. • The University of California will design and build all new buildings, except for laboratory and acute care facilities, to a minimum standard equivalent to a LEED™ 2.1 “Certified” rating. • Campuses will strive to achieve a standard equivalent to a LEEDTM “Silver” rating or higher, whenever possible within the constraints of program needs and standard budget parameters. • The University will strive to achieve a level of grid-provided electricity purchases from renewable sources that will be similar to the State’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, which sets a goal of procuring 20 percent of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2010. • In implementing a most efficient and effective economic and environmental strategy for campus fleets, campuses shall implement practicable and cost-effective measures, including, but not necessarily limited to, the purchase of the cleanest and most efficient vehicles and replacement tires, the use of alternative fuels, and other conservation measures. • Campuses will be encouraged to collect data on Average Vehicle Ridership (AVR) of commuters. Additionally, the policy sets the following measurable targets: -To reduce GHG emissions to 2000 levels by 2014 -To reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 -To reach 75% waste diversion by June 30, 2012 -To achieve zero waste by 2020 -To procure 20% sustainable food products by the year 2020 for Campus Foodservice Operations -To adopt a standard of 100% PCW recycled content paper for uncut paper uses, including but not limited to janitorial supplies, and 30% or higher for all office paper. UC Policy on Sustainable Practices: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/sustainability/policy.html Housing and Hospitality Services plays a critical support role in UCLA’s on-going pursuit of excellence in the core areas of teaching, research, public service, and sustainability. All of the Housing and Hospitality Services sustainability goals are designed in alignment with university-wide and UC system-wide goals as well as the metrics developed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. In addition, our goals consider the importance of staff and student-resident education and of institutional robustness to changes in governmental policy as well as resource availability. Housing and Hospitality Service's sustainability goals are to: • Create sustained behavior changes of Housing and Hospitality Services team members and student-residents regarding resource consumption and waste generation through educational programming, incentives (recognition and awards), and volunteerism. • Reduce waste generation, increase waste diversion, and track progress through programmatic changes and implementing emerging technologies/practices to reach UC policy goals of 75% diversion by 2012 and zero waste by 2020. • Using the USGBC LEED guidelines as a standard, maintain the highest efficiency, lowest ecological footprint building portfolio possible while (1) meeting the needs of residents and guests, (2) meeting or exceeding UC’s green building policy, and (3) operating within budgetary constraints. • Monitor and track the costs and savings of sustainable initiatives in order to reallocate savings created by initiatives towards expanding Housing and Hospitality Services sustainability. • Actively seek and acquire external funding for sustainability initiatives in order to overcome financial barriers and increase feasibility of emerging technologies/practices. • Achieve and maintain a three-year downward trend in the per square foot use of consumable resources such as potable water, electricity, and gas. • Achieve and maintain a three-year upward trend in the portion of the budget spent on environmentally preferable products, services, and food. • Use purchasing power and influence as a revenue-generating department to encourage campus, private industries, and individuals to be more sustainable and lower their environmental impact. Housing & Hospitality Services Sustainability Strategic Plan: http://www.sustain.ucla.edu/campus/article.asp?parentid=7653

UCLA generates and submits reports for all areas of measurable targets in the Sustainability Policy including recycling, purchasing, climate, etc. There are 5 measures of outcomes for Housing and Hospitality Initiatives: Yearly Sustainability Report; Yearly Total Percent Waste Diversion; Waste Generation, Water Consumption, Energy Consumption, and Gas Consumption per Resident-Day; Percent of the Operational Budget spent on Sustainable Products; and Yearly Awarded Funds Total.