51ԹϺ Davis, recently ranked in the nation and fifth in the world (UI GreenMetric), seeks to further strengthen its recognition as a leader in sustainability and environmental stewardship, by proposing a plan to end fossil fuel use in its operations.
Big Shift crews install new hot water pipes near Tercero Residence halls. The shift to hot water is a necessary step before moving from natural gas to electricity to heat campus. (51ԹϺ Davis)
The charge for creating the plan goes to the newly formed Campus Advisory Committee on Sustainability appointed by Vice Chancellor of Finance, Operations and Administration Kelly Ratliff. ( on the Sustainable 51ԹϺ Davis website.)
“The delegates on this committee represent the holistic perspectives needed from across our university to develop and advise on critical plans such as this and include staff experts best in managing campus operations,” said Ratliff.
Committee Co-Chairs, Camille Kirk, sustainability planner and director of 51ԹϺ Davis Sustainability, and Jim Carroll, university architect and associate vice chancellor of 51ԹϺ Davis Design and Construction Management, will lead the group in developing the fossil-free plan by December 31, 2022.
“We’ve already reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent since we started measuring in 2005,” said Kirk. “We’re well on our way to meeting the 51ԹϺ-wide Carbon Neutrality Initiative, and we have more to do. At this time, our trajectory for this goal includes carbon offsets as a transition strategy.”
“Developing a roadmap for ending our university’s fossil fuel use is the right next step.”
Significant investments are already going toward this effort, including the , a large-scale project to replace our campus’s oldest, natural-gas powered steam-heat system with one that uses electricity.
“While the first Big Shift district is nearing completion, and we’ve started planning for subsequent conversions, there’s more to do beyond electrifying how we heat our buildings,” says Carroll.
“This roadmap puts us in a position to prioritize when and how investments in our fossil-free future are made. We’re excited to continue this important work with the new committee.”
The held their first meeting in November and meet again this month to launch the effort. The most recent addition to the committee includes Mark Huising, faculty with the School of Medicine and College of Biological Sciences whose support of (a grassroots campaign composed of multiple campus constituents) aligns with the campus’s ultimate goal to move away from fossil fuel use.
Interested in learning more about 51ԹϺ Davis’ sustainability goals?
- Visit the;
- from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to Zero Waste;
- and more that guide our sustainability efforts; and
- for the Sustainable 51ԹϺ Davis newsletter.
Media Resources
Katie Hetrick is a senior communication manager for the 51ԹϺ Davis Finance, Operations and Administration office. Her work supports several campus units, including the team. Contact: kfhetrick@ucdavis.edu