Earth Day is here, and our blue and gold university has gotten a shade greener. From sustainable food choices to energy-efficient buildings and native plant landscaping, UCLA has completed several initiatives and made progress toward many of the targets set by the UCLA Sustainability Plan, a comprehensive framework for climate action and solutions that was introduced in 2022.
Led by the UCLA Sustainability Committee and developed by stakeholders from across campus with input from faculty, researchers, staff and students, the plan identifies areas for furthering sustainability efforts in operations, education, research and service. Divided into pillars of planetary and human health, climate and energy, food systems, green buildings, landscape and biodiversity, transportation, waste, water and more are defined goals to establish a more sustainable institution.
Newer goal areas include curricula and research and equity, diversity and inclusion, with others building on existing plans for improvement. Here’s a look at some of the progress made over the past two years.