| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 78.00 |
| Liaison | Katie Maynard |
| Submission Date | Feb. 29, 2024 |
University of California, Santa Barbara
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Jewel
Persad Sustainability Manager Administration |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Local advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
The Campus Government and Community Relations Office (GCR) develop and maintain relationships with local elected officials, their staff, and departments to advocate for campus interests, including sustainability. GCR hosts local electeds, staff, and other key stakeholders at various campus events throughout the year. These events are designed to educate local leaders on campus priorities and key projects that we are proud of, including sustainability-related projects. For example, this past year we hosted local electeds and staff for the Central Coast Sustainability Conference which brings together local officials to share best practices on various sustainability issues. Other opportunities for engagement with local electeds and staff are through campus visits and our Lunch and Leader quarterly briefing. This past year, subjects included a briefing of our Natural Reserve system, a tour of the new electric only Interactive Learning Pavilion, and a briefing on a new campus research initiative on Climate and Sustainability. GCR has also lent support for the Isla Vista Community Services District Mobility project, the County of Santa Barbara project to improve the San Jose Creek Bike and Path Project, and the SB Metropolitan Transportation District (SBMTD) to bring on-demand electric buses to Isla Vista to facilitate short trips for students thereby reducing car usage.
Regional advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
UC State Government Relations (SGR ; https://ucop.edu/state-governmental-relations/index.html) serves as the University’s primary representative to state elected officials and agencies, providing advocacy on legislation and public policies that provide for, extend, and enhance the University’s authority to conduct its business operations in a manner that is efficient and sustainable, as well as advocating against measures that would limit this authority. SGR staff at the system and campus levels have activated students, staff, faculty and alumni through the UC Advocate Network (UCAN ; https://universityofcalifornia.edu/get-involved/advocate). UCAN spearheaded a climate action campaign with petitions from UC community members (https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/get-involved/advocate/climate-change), in concert with calls for state budget funding to support climate change programs. The product of this advocacy is $185 million in climate funding from the State of California (https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/press-room/uc-statement-2022-23-california-budget-0).
National advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
UC Federal Government Relations is the University’s liaison to the federal government, working with Congress, the administration, federal agencies and national organizations to advocate for the University and its missions in education, research and public service. Additionally, the UC Santa Barbara Government and Community Relations Office regularly sends staff to DC to advocate for UCSB priorities including sustainability and climate.
Examples include:
- Convening UC faculty and staff to host Congressional briefings. Congressional briefings that highlight the impact of the University’s sustainability efforts on campus operations and showcase UC as a model for other institutions are a part of the University’s effort to demonstrate the value of investing in UC and advocate for the federal funding that supports the University’s energy and sustainability goals.
- Participating in DC lobby days, such as the annual Coalition for National Science Funding Day on Capitol Hill. Representatives from UC campuses attend meetings with members of Congress and their staff and contribute to the National Science Foundation (NSF) project exhibit. Campus representatives also meet with federal legislators, committee staff, and agency contacts throughout the year to discuss faculty and student efforts to address sustainability and climate issues.
- The UC Advocacy Network has also established an online “Climate Lab” that compiles videos, articles, and other multimedia formats to educate visitors to the site about issues ranging from global warming, to clean energy, to sustainability relating to issues like food and technology. As part of the UC’s Carbon Neutrality Initiative, these resources provide easily accessible ways for both the UC community and the greater public to see the ways in which UC research is a fundamental part of the global response to climate change.
Examples include:
- Convening UC faculty and staff to host Congressional briefings. Congressional briefings that highlight the impact of the University’s sustainability efforts on campus operations and showcase UC as a model for other institutions are a part of the University’s effort to demonstrate the value of investing in UC and advocate for the federal funding that supports the University’s energy and sustainability goals.
- Participating in DC lobby days, such as the annual Coalition for National Science Funding Day on Capitol Hill. Representatives from UC campuses attend meetings with members of Congress and their staff and contribute to the National Science Foundation (NSF) project exhibit. Campus representatives also meet with federal legislators, committee staff, and agency contacts throughout the year to discuss faculty and student efforts to address sustainability and climate issues.
- The UC Advocacy Network has also established an online “Climate Lab” that compiles videos, articles, and other multimedia formats to educate visitors to the site about issues ranging from global warming, to clean energy, to sustainability relating to issues like food and technology. As part of the UC’s Carbon Neutrality Initiative, these resources provide easily accessible ways for both the UC community and the greater public to see the ways in which UC research is a fundamental part of the global response to climate change.
International advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
Here are some examples of how the US participates in International sustainability Advocacy
- UC’s MOU with Mexico - UC has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Mexican Secretariat of Energy (SENER) to promote increased collaboration between the University and Mexico on energy and sustainability efforts, including research; visits from scholars, scientists and administrators; and the development of graduate programs in the field of renewable energy. The goal is for Mexico and California to work together in areas that are needed to secure a more sustainable future and a long-lasting regional economic development. https://alianzamx.universityofcalifornia.edu/uc-mexico-initiative/
- The University of California assembled an international coalition of 13 research universities across the United States, Canada and Mexico – called the University Climate Change Coalition, or UC3 – The coalition is committed to work together to galvanize local and regional action on climate change. Member institutions represent more than 1.5 million students across North America. Most recently, the coalition released the 2020-2025 UC3 Strategic Plan, providing an updated vision and trajectory for the organization built on its successes and lessons learned over the past two years from cross-sector forums, internal collaborations, and partnerships with local and regional stakeholders.
- The EJ/CJ Digital Hub, “a project of the Environmental & Climate Justice Studies Research Hub (EJ/CJ) at UCSB’s Orfalea Center for Global & International Studies works to advance scholar-activism across the horizon of globalization, in defense of vulnerable human communities, fragile environments and a just climate future.” https://ejcj.orfaleacenter.ucsb.edu/#:~:text=the%20EJ/CJ,just%20climate%20future.
- UC’s MOU with Mexico - UC has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Mexican Secretariat of Energy (SENER) to promote increased collaboration between the University and Mexico on energy and sustainability efforts, including research; visits from scholars, scientists and administrators; and the development of graduate programs in the field of renewable energy. The goal is for Mexico and California to work together in areas that are needed to secure a more sustainable future and a long-lasting regional economic development. https://alianzamx.universityofcalifornia.edu/uc-mexico-initiative/
- The University of California assembled an international coalition of 13 research universities across the United States, Canada and Mexico – called the University Climate Change Coalition, or UC3 – The coalition is committed to work together to galvanize local and regional action on climate change. Member institutions represent more than 1.5 million students across North America. Most recently, the coalition released the 2020-2025 UC3 Strategic Plan, providing an updated vision and trajectory for the organization built on its successes and lessons learned over the past two years from cross-sector forums, internal collaborations, and partnerships with local and regional stakeholders.
- The EJ/CJ Digital Hub, “a project of the Environmental & Climate Justice Studies Research Hub (EJ/CJ) at UCSB’s Orfalea Center for Global & International Studies works to advance scholar-activism across the horizon of globalization, in defense of vulnerable human communities, fragile environments and a just climate future.” https://ejcj.orfaleacenter.ucsb.edu/#:~:text=the%20EJ/CJ,just%20climate%20future.
Optional Fields
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None
A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
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Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability advocacy 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:
The website for SGR is: http://www.ucop.edu/state-governmental-relations/index.html
The website for FGR is: http://www.ucop.edu/federal-governmental-relations/index.html
The website for FGR is: http://www.ucop.edu/federal-governmental-relations/index.html
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.