During Earth Month 2022, the first-ever campuswide sustainability action plan was introduced. One year after the launch of this comprehensive plan, a broad range of initiatives are demonstrating progress.
In the area of climate and energy, UCLA signed a contract with LADWP to install solar panels in multiple parking structures and on campus rooftops. Also related to climate—and biodiversity—UCLA developed a new landscape plan, focusing on transitioning to more native and climate-resilient plants as well as creating and nurturing green spaces on campus that promote health and wellness for Bruins as well as visitors.
And, further advancing UCLA’s zero waste goal, recyclable aluminum containers have replaced plastic water bottles in the residential community's vending machines. In addition, in June 2022, UCLA secured more than $244,000 in funding from the California Department of Resource Recycling and Recovery. The support will help expand efforts that address student food insecurity: salvaging surplus edible items instead of letting them go to waste and redistributing the food to those in need.
In the area of planetary and human health, UCLA is engaged in equity-centered climate action through a University of California pilot program that launched in January. The program centers on incorporating justice, equity, diversity and inclusion into climate resilience planning, to better support vulnerable populations in the face of climate hazards. The effort is a collaboration among UCLA Health, the offices of emergency management and of insurance and risk management, and other units.
In addition, at the beginning of 2023, UCLA Transportation published an EV Readiness Plan, which calls for all new vehicles procured for the campus fleet — including more zero-emission BruinBuses — to be hybrid or all-electric effective immediately. The university plans to procure two additional electric buses this year and electrify the entire bus fleet by 2025. More EV charging stations are being installed in campus parking areas, with plans for a total of 1,000 charging points by 2025.
More highlights of the sustainability plan's first 12 months are available on the UCLA Newsroom.
