UCLA is providing progress updates on its Sustainability Plan, highlighting its green initiatives in food systems, energy efficiency, water use, and more. A significant aspect is committing to serving 50% plant-based meals on campus by 2027.
The university currently offers 37% plant-based menu options and has launched initiatives like the Bruin Dine student organization to recover food from dining halls and redistribute it to students and staff in need. Additionally, the Teaching Kitchen hosts educational sessions focusing on sustainable and low-carbon footprint dishes.
The initiative is supported by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), with UCLA working closely with its Food Service Innovation team.
“We are delighted by UCLA’s continued dedication to the welfare of animals and the health of their students and our planet with this impressive goal,” said HSUS senior outreach coordinator for food service innovation, Kate Jarvis. “Our team is eager to support their first-rate dining program in ensuring students are not only well fed but well educated on the significant and global impacts of their food choices.”
UCLA: Reducing waste and energy efficiency
UCLA has achieved significant reductions in waste generation compared to pre-pandemic levels. Potable water use has been minimized through water reclamation efforts, saving over 40 million gallons per year. These efforts include reusing HVAC condensate and optimizing rinse cycles for autoclaves and vacuum pumps.
Energy efficiency remains a central focus. Facilities Management’s Smart Buildings and Lab program has reduced energy consumption by 30% to 50% in some buildings. High-efficiency LED bulbs and fixtures replaced traditional fluorescent lighting, resulting in average savings of over 60% in kilowatt-hour usage.
UCLA has also initiated contracts to install on-site solar power, aiming to procure 100% clean electricity by 2025. The new UCLA Nimoy Theater is fully electric, and the Sunset Canyon Recreation Center will follow soon. Cloud storage is also being adopted to reduce energy use from physical servers.
A study is underway to identify strategies to reduce Scope 1 carbon emissions by 90% by transitioning to cleaner energy sources and reducing on-site fossil fuel use. This study will inform an updated Climate Action Plan.
To explore more progress updates since the plan’s launch, visit UCLA’s transparent progress dashboard at sustain.ucla.edu.
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