Sustainable Energy for a Sustainable Future
Climate change is the defining challenge of our time. While tackling climate change requires many complex actions, there is no question that cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is the crucial first step — and taking that step in cities is our greatest hope for a more sustainable future. Many of the tools and technologies to operate carbon-neutral cities already exist. But how do different cities implement solutions at scale, and in ways that are equitable, fiscally sound, and sustainable for the long term? And how do we prepare the next generation to lead the way in ensuring these solutions take root?
A Living Example for Green Energy
No university is better positioned than UC Davis to take on this challenge. Our award-winning green campus is a model for decarbonizing campuses and cities, leading the world in sustainable transportation, energy efficiency and high-performance building design. We leverage broad interdisciplinary expertise, industry partnerships, enduring relationships with policymakers in the world’s fifth-largest economy, and collaboration among administration, staff and faculty.
The Sustainable Campus, Sustainable Cities initiative will engage students in transforming the UC Davis campus into a practical-solutions showcase demonstrating how communities can significantly reduce GHG emissions even while growing. Students will collaborate with renowned faculty and staff experts to discover, test and implement solutions, at scale and in real time.
Harnessing the unique breadth of our research strengths while using our city-sized campus as a living lab, this initiative will develop decarbonization solutions that we will spin out to other universities. UC Davis will demonstrate how universities can forge partnerships in their cities to improve quality of life while tackling climate change.
Accelerate Climate Change Solutions for the World
UC Davis is looking to partner with donors, corporations, and foundations to accomplish the following:
- Create training programs to support the next generation of climate leaders
- Develop community engagement projects to inform social change
- Fund faculty and staff to produce cutting-edge decarbonization research
- Develop design summits and exchange programs to disseminate ideas and state-of-the-art technology
UC Davis will use its experience to work with cities in developing sustainable solutions. We invite the partnership of our alumni and friends in leading the way to a brighter future for all.