Under Lin King’s direction, the R4 Recycling program has achieved diversion rates of well over 50 percent since 2000, and the program is a major contributor to UC Davis’ green reputation. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis photo)

Sustainability ratings

At UC Davis we are gaining a reputation nationally for our commitment to the environment and sustainability. Here are three recent recognitions from national groups:

• Among Greenopia’s top 10 campuses nationally
• A- in Sierra Magazine’s 2009 Cool Schools
• B+ on the College Sustainability Report Card

Among Greenopia’s top 10 campuses nationally

UC Davis is among the top 10 universities nationally as judged by Greenopia, an organization dedicated to providing consumers with high-quality information to help them reduce their impact on the environment through their daily purchasing decisions. (Greenopia’s score for UC Davis as among the top 10 “green” universities has been recognized by yet another group monitoring environmental commitment, Yahoo! Green.)

Criteria:

• Sustainable architecture: We have several Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-rated buildings as well as a few in the works. All new construction at UC Davis must be built at least to LEED Silver standards.
• Recycling: Greenopia reports “UC Davis has a very good recycling rate at around 50 percent, which is about twice what the average college recycling rate is.”
• Composting: UC Davis has a comprehensive composting program.
• Solar energy: We use some solar energy for our buildings and water heating.
• Food: Almost a third of the food served on campus is local, organic or fair trade.
• Vehicles: We are striving to hit our 1990 emission levels by 2020. Almost 95 percent of our vehicles are powered by compressed natural gas and/or hydrogen.
• Water conservation: We have an above-average water conservation plan for landscaping and facilities.

A- in Sierra Magazine’s 2009 Cool Schools

UC Davis rated 24^th out of 135 colleges with an A- in the Sierra Magazine 2009 Cool Schools survey. We tied with Duke and Tufts universities.

Criteria and score:

• Efficiency — 8 (out of 10)
• Energy — 3
• Food — 7
• Academics — 8
• Purchasing — 9
• Transportation — 7
• Waste — 9
• Administration — 6
• Bonus — 4
• Score and grade — 61 (A-)

B+ on the College Sustainability Report Card

UC Davis scored a B+ as a “campus sustainability leader” on the College Sustainability Report Card. The College Sustainability Report Card says it is the only independent evaluation of campus and activities that support sustainability when investigating from the endowment at colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.

Criteria:

• Administration — A: Former President Robert Dynes of the UC System signed the Presidents’ Climate Commitment, and UC Davis is included in the extensive UC System policy on sustainable practices.
• Climate change and energy — B: The campus performed an emissions inventory through the California Climate Action Registry and is planting trees as part of its Hundred Year Tree Plan. Student Housing is installing high-efficiency upgrades to all of its facilities. UC Davis has renewable energy projects on campus, including solar hot water heaters.
• Food and recycling — A: Dining services has launched a six-part, sustainable food initiative, and 30 percent of its food is from local sources. In addition to exclusive use of fair trade coffee, most seafood purchases follow Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch guidelines. Through innovative programs like the multibin and minibin systems, the exemplary R4 Recycling program has achieved diversion rates well over 50 percent since 2000.
• Green building — A: UC Davis requires all new construction to meet LEED certification standards and to be 20 percent more energy efficient than state code. UC Davis has many LEED Silver and Gold projects on campus, as well as the Platinum-certified Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences.
• Student involvement — A: The campus has a chapter of the California Student Sustainability Coalition, which cosponsors an annual Sustainability Summit. Internships and work-study opportunities are available with the R4 Recycling program, the residential Eco-Rep program and the Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship.
• Transportation — A: The university’s alternative transportation systems handle 85 percent of local trips. Ninety-five percent of the vehicles in UC Davis’ Unitrans bus system operate on compressed natural gas or hydrogen. There are up to 20,000 bicycles on campus daily, and the Bike Barn co-op repairs approximately 10,000 per year and has a rental program.
• Endowment transparency — B: Per regents’ policy, the University of California Office of the Treasurer makes a detailed list of endowment holdings publicly accessible online.
• Investment priorities — A: The UC Davis Foundation is currently invested in direct community development programs, and is exploring renewable energy funds or similar vehicles.
• Shareholder engagement — D: The Office of the Treasurer provides its managers with guidelines for proxy voting.