University of California–Los Angeles

Former President Dynes of the UC System signed the Presidents Climate Commitment, and UCLA will be submitting its climate action plan in December 2008. UCLA is included in the extensive UC System policy on sustainable practices. The university has a sustainability committee with student representatives and is hiring a sustainability coordinator.

As per UC System policy, UCLA is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 2000 levels by 2014 and to 1990 levels by 2020. Various energy efficiency and conservation projects on multiple campuses are in progress. Many dorms have solar water-heating systems.

UCLA spends 20 percent of its food budget on locally grown food. Organic products are available, including some produce, baked goods, and fair trade coffee, and the university has a community organic garden. Dining services provides a combination of reusable dishware and recycled, biodegradable, and eco-friendly to-go containers. The UCLA recycling program has a 52 percent diversion rate.

As per UC System policy, all new construction must meet LEED-certified specifications, and UCLA strives to achieve LEED Silver standards, as it has for the new Institute for the Environment. Three other projects are seeking certification, with one expected to receive LEED Gold certification.

UCLA has numerous environmental student groups, including E3, which was a key advocate for many policy changes at the university. Action Research Teams examine sustainable practices on campus and promote collaboration among students, faculty, and staff. Both the Undergraduate Student Association and the Associated Students of UCLA have sustainability policies.

The UCLA campus fleet is currently comprised of 38 percent alternative-fuel vehicles. Partnerships with five regional transit agencies provide subsidized transit passes to students, faculty, and staff. Over 2,000 university affiliates participate in van- and carpool programs that offer reduced parking rates and a ride-matching service.

The UCLA Foundation makes a list of endowment holdings available to the public on its website, as per open records laws. The foundation does not make its shareholder voting record public.

The UCLA Foundation aims to optimize investment return and is exploring, but not currently invested in, renewable energy funds or similar investment vehicles.

The UCLA Foundation asks that its investment managers handle the details of proxy voting.