Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies
Annually, the Office of Sustainability tracks and reports on the carbon emissions associated with the Berkeley campus while actively implementing effective strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Every individual on the Berkeley campus plays a crucial role in helping the campus reach its ambitious goal of zero carbon emissions by reducing resource use, and improving energy conservation and efficiency, and choosing sustainable transportation options.
Carbon Reduction Initiatives
Clean Energy Campus Project
UC Berkeley’s Clean Energy Campus initiative is leading decarbonization. Currently a natural gas-fueled cogeneration plant supplies 90% of campus energy. The Clean Energy Campus project will replace that outdated plant with a 100% clean energy microgrid, a model for the 21st century. Learn more at the Clean Energy Campus website or by watching the video below.
On-Site Renewable Energy
The campus is currently generating over 1.2 MW of on-site solar electricity with substantially more Solar PV and battery storage underway. The campus also has one on-site solar thermal system on a residence hall, with plans for additional use of local geothermal energy with the realization of the Clean Energy Campus initiative. View our solar systems in action at the Recreational Sports Facility(link is external) and at the University Village Apartments(link is external)Learn more about solar at UC Berkeley.
Purchasing Clean Energy
Since 2025, UC Berkeley has procured nearly 100% clean electricity thanks to the UC Clean Power Program and the East Bay Community Energy Renewable program, which effectively eliminates Scope 2 (purchased electricity) emissions for the campus. The small amount of remaining emissions from purchased electricity are currently covered by Renewable Energy Credits until those accounts can be transitioned to clean tariffs.
Building Upgrades
The Energy Office(link is external) tracks, monitors, and manages energy efficiency projects and energy usage campus-wide to reduce energy costs. The office also improves the design, performance, and operation of buildings, and provides feedback on energy usage to building occupants.
Recommended energy upgrades save the campus millions of dollars each year. These projects support the UC system-wide goal of reducing campus energy use by at least 2% each year.
Business Air Travel Carbon Mitigation Program
Berkeley’s Business Air Travel Carbon Mitigation Program mitigates the high environmental impacts of our business air travel by investing in campus programs that reduce UC Berkeley’s carbon footprint! Learn more about the Business Air Travel Carbon Mitigation Program.
Sustainable Transportation & Commute
Over 80% of UC Berkeley commuters now walk, bicycle, rideshare, or take public transit. The Alternative Transportation(link is external) program makes sustainable commuting easier for students, faculty, and staff. Flexible work arrangements and utilizing campus contracts for video conferencing technology also help to reduce commutes. The Flexible Work Toolkit contains tips to save resources, energy and money while working from anywhere.
Additionally, the campus-owned fleet has become smaller and greener over time. As a result, fleet fuel use is down over 25% from 1990.
Getting to Zero Waste
Minimizing waste not only decreases resource consumption, it also reduces emissions linked with production and disposal processes. By actively promoting recycling and composting throughout campus, Berkeley’s waste reduction initiatives play a role in advancing carbon footprint reduction. Since 1990, the campus has achieved a 50% reduction in carbon emissions stemming from landfill activities despite a significant growth in population. Learn more about the campus waste performance.
See the performance section for highlights on our goals and initiatives.