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. Visit the Profiles page to learn more about the certified Green Departments.

As of November 10, 2010, departments seeking Green Department certification will be required to use the new version of the Checklist below. The points and pre-requisites identified here focus on relatively easy tasks and programs that any department can complete and implement. Innovation points allow greater flexibility for department-specific initiatives.

• Green Department Checklist
• Green Department Resource Guide
• Green Department Profiles

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 1 week before the event date. If you are considering certification and are less than one week from your event, please contact us.

As of January 31, 2012, those seeking green event certification will be required to use the new version of the Checklist below. In this new version, some levels have been eliminated and an emphasis on zero waste events has been added. Events can now be certified under three categories: green, zero waste, and zero waste green.

• Green Event Checklist (Spring 2012)
• Green Event Resource Guide (Spring 2012)
• Green Event Profiles

For more information: sustainability@berkeley.edu.