Celebrating 20 Years of Sustainability

The campus marks two decades of focused sustainability efforts by highlighting major achievements

By Shelly Leachman

Monday, April 25, 2022 - 14:00

Santa Barbara, CA

Photo Credit:

Matt Perko

UCSB Henley Hall exterior with LEED building statistic overlaid

Closeup of chilled water loop with natural gas reduction statistic overlaid

Closeup of solar panels at UCSB with green gas emission statistic overlaid

Closeup of hands in the dirt at UCSB garden with sustainability interns statistic overlaid

Aerial photo of UCSB campus with fact about sustainability partnerships overlaid

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Twenty years ago, UC Santa Barbara formed the Central Campus Sustainability Committee, which went on to become UCSB Sustainability — a collective effort to implement changes and improvements for a more sustainable future. In recognition of this milestone anniversary, and in continued celebration of Earth Day, we recognize a few of the many ways we've invested in our campus and our planet thanks to the collaborative efforts of our staff, students, administrators and faculty.

Over two decades of focused sustainability efforts UC Santa Barbara has:

• led the way in green building for universities with 1.8 million square feet of LEED certified facilities

• reduced its natural gas use intensity by more than 35% over the last 10 years through campus energy efficiency measures

• cut operational greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by powering the main campus with carbon-free electricity as part of the UC Clean Power Program

• cultivated a new generation of sustainability champions through our robust and active sustainability internship program, serving over 600 students since 2002

• boosted sustainability on campus and beyond through partnerships with government agencies, community-based organizations, peer campuses and other entities across the region and statewide

Here's to many more!