University of California President Janet Napolitano issued the following statement today (Nov. 5) following the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw the United States from the landmark Paris climate agreement:
It is the bitterest of ironies that the White House announces its plan to abandon the global coalition confronting the planet’s greatest existential threat as climate-change fueled wildfires ravage California.
As the nation’s premier research university, UC will remain undaunted as we continue to pioneer cutting-edge approaches to curbing emissions and transitioning to clean energy sources. We will continue to rise to the challenge, convening individuals and institutions to find scalable solutions that bend the curve on greenhouse gas emissions.
The spirit of the Paris accord will live on here at UC, across California, and beyond, as we stand united with citizens, scientists, and nations committed to staying at the forefront of combatting climate change for the benefit of generations to come.
UC’s commitment to the climate:
- The university is boldly aiming for 100 percent reliance on clean electricity across all campuses and medical centers by 2025, complementing an existing goal of becoming carbon neutral that same year.
- Through energy efficiency gains and the adoption of solar and other renewable energy sources, UC has reduced systemwide greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent since 2009.
- UC helped to launch a new international coalition of research universities – the University Climate Change Coalition, or UC3 – focused on cross-sector climate action.
- UC now generates more on-site renewable energy than any other university in the country, with 81 million kilowatt-hours produced annually.
- UC’s sustainability efforts extend to institutional investments. Since 2014, UC has invested $800 million – $200 million per year – in renewable and clean energy projects.