The University of California on Monday (April 16) was honored with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Achievement Award in recognition of the University’s outstanding work in the area of environmental sustainability.

Each year, the EPA Region 9 -- which covers California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Pacific Islands and tribal lands – recognizes achievement for exceptional work and commitment to protecting the environment. Along with UC, 37 groups and individuals were selected from more than 160 nominees received this year from businesses, media, local, government officials, tribes, environmental organizations and citizen activists.

“The University of California is honored to receive this award,” said UC President Robert Dynes. “Resource sustainability is of vital importance to the University of California, as well as to the State of California and the nation. UC remains committed to continuing our leadership role in the area of environmental stewardship.”

In announcing the award, the EPA also singled out the leadership work of Lesley Clark, UC’s systemwide commodity manager, in developing and building UC’s environmentally preferable purchasing programs.

The EPA noted several sustainability efforts by the University:

Integrating environmentally preferable purchasing standards and requirements into UC contracts, which will affect as much as $2 billion in purchases over the next five years. Recent UC contracts for environmentally friendly office supplies, computer equipment, organic food and laboratory supplies have accounted for $900 million in spending. UC’s commitment to green building practices, which has resulted in 76 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) registered projects, creating significant energy efficiencies, recycled-content product usage and locally produced building materials. Specialized projects, including the Green Press Initiative and the Labs21 Project, to help leverage UC’s position in the marketplace to develop products that are environmentally sound and promote our sustainability goals.

Most of UC’s ongoing sustainability policies and programs are covered in UC’s new Presidential Policy on Sustainable Practices. The policy expands on UC’s existing commitment to green building, clean energy and sustainable transportation. It also addresses sustainability in capital and renovation projects, along with programs to minimize the use of non-renewable energy sources, and greenhouse gas emissions in its operations.

Background

A green building and clean energy policy was adopted by the UC Regents in July 2003 to minimize the university’s environmental impacts. In June 2004, President Dynes issued guidelines for the Policy on Green Building Design and Clean Energy Standards. This comprehensive policy established the University as a leader in promoting environmental stewardship among institutions of higher education.

In January 2006, the policy was expanded to include sustainable transportation practices and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. In March 2007, the policy was further extended to cover the areas of climate protection practices, green building renovations, sustainable operations and maintenance, waste reduction and environmentally preferable purchasing. With the most recent expansion, the policy’s name was revised to “Policy on Sustainable Practices.”

For more information on UC sustainability and clean energy efforts:
www.ucop.edu/facil/sustain

For more information about UC environmental research and programs:
www.universityofcalifornia.edu/environment

For a complete list of Region 9 EPA winners: http://www.epa.gov/region09/awards/

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