Green Certification Program
UC Berkeley Green Department and Green Event certification recognizes campus departments and events that have taken extra steps to be more sustainable. The program identifies a set of conditions and actions - some optional and some required - that can be followed in order to be certified. The certification process is designed to provide resources, guidance, and recognition to faculty, staff, and students as they take steps to decrease their environmental impacts at work.
Green Department Certification
Green Department certification offers recognition and guidance in several areas, including energy, waste, transportation, and purchasing. Departments are encouraged to contact the Office of Sustainability as they begin the certification process and to consult the Resource Guide for more information on the program. Environment, Health &Safety and Residential and Student Services Program were the first UC Berkeley Green Departments.
As of October 1, 2009, departments seeking Green Department certification will be required to use a new version of the Checklist. In this new version, two prerequisites have been added and some points have been eliminated. In addition, two new levels of certification – Blue and Gold – have been added to recognize higher levels of achievement.
Green Department Resource Guide
Green Event Certification
Green event certification helps event planners reduce their impact in a range of areas, including catering and food, venues, and waste reduction. Completed Green Event applications - including documentation as laid out in the Resource Guide - should be sent to the Office of Sustainability at least 2 weeks before the event date. If you are considering certification and are less than two weeks from your event, please contact us.
As of October 1, 2009, those seeking Green Event certification will be required to use a new version of the Checklist. In this new version, some points have been eliminated and the use of others is restricted to events of a certain size. The number of points required for certification as either a small, medium, or large event has also changed. An event can now be certified as a “green(er) event” (requiring either 1 point or substantial effort on several points).
For more information, contact Lisa McNeilly, UC Berkeley Director of Sustainability, at (510) 643-5907 or sustainability@berkeley.edu.