| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 85.50 |
| Liaison | Breeana Sylvas |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2022 |
University of California, Merced
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Breeana
Sylvas Assistant Director Sustainability |
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The goal identified in the Sustainability Strategic Plan (SSP) is to impart the skills that advance social, economic, and environmental sustainability graduating the worlds sustainability leaders. A measurable objective or key performance indicator associated with curriculum includes monitoring the number of sustainability courses offered by the institution. The SSP also incorporates action items identified to achieve goal.
Pg. 18
https://ucmerced.app.box.com/file/267777087744?s=18gvx015icq9jxwlg2h3thqtqxeu8jpo
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The UC Merced Sustainability Engagement goal is to raise visibility, understanding, and knowledge of sustainability within and beyond the UC Merced community. A measurable objective or key performance indicator includes monitoring the number of sustainability engagement initiatives, programs, and events held throughout the campus and community. The SSP also incorporates action items identified to achieve goal.
Pg. 19
https://ucmerced.app.box.com/file/267777087744?s=18gvx015icq9jxwlg2h3thqtqxeu8jpo
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The campus climate action plan, water action plan, zero waste plan, and sustainability strategic plan have measurable objectives or key performance indicators associated with water use reduction, energy generation onsite, campus waste operations.
Sustainability Strategic Plan
https://ucmerced.app.box.com/file/267777087744?s=18gvx015icq9jxwlg2h3thqtqxeu8jpo
Climate Action Plan
https://ucmerced.app.box.com/file/330703793179?s=xt3uooc7pg1rs1m7ifjyi3zp91w63b1r
Zero Waste Plan
https://ucmerced.app.box.com/file/677564872968?s=andlfzjxwp24shu46pqpz5t5ii9rbjfk
Water Action Plan
https://ucmerced.app.box.com/file/355867303816?s=5zensyaa66m0p5cvxdsiiaoizf4helr8
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?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The UC Merced campus Strategic Plan includes the following,
GOAL 3: Cultivate a Culture of Dignity and Respect for All.
Bold scholarship requires the campus to dismantle long-standing exclusionary practices in higher education. We aim to adopt research-grounded practices that drive our campus toward inclusive excellence. To do so, we will invest in the resources, and cultivate the skills, knowledge, and comprehensively inclusive and anti-racist attitudes necessary to ensure that each unit, department, division, and stakeholder clearly demonstrates their contribution to our Principles of Community.
One of the measures includes,
3.3 Build our collective capacity to remove structural barriers negatively impacting success through equity-informed administrative and educational decision-making.
The campus Strategic Plan also includes a Committmet to Sustainability.
Sustainability Commitment: Advance and implement an integrated campus sustainability strategic plan that showcases by 2030 how knowledge is generated and applied to effect institutional and societal change toward a just and sustainable environment and society for all communities present and future
Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
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?:
The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
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?:
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
The UC Board of Regents adopted the UC Sustainability Practices Policy which includes the following statement:
The University of California is committed to responsible stewardship of resources and demonstrating leadership in sustainable business practices. The University’s locations should be living laboratories for sustainability, contributing to the research and educational mission of the University, consistent with available funding and safe operational practices.
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Sustainability is a holistic ethic in social, environmental, and economic action.
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) | No |
| UN Global Compact | No |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | No |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
UC Merced has a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in campus operations. The campus achieved carbon neutrality in year 2018 and has continued to maintain its carbon neutral campus operations commitment. This goal is in alighment with second natures carbon commitment.
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.