For the third time, UC Davis has received a gold STARS rating, highlighting the university’s comprehensive sustainability efforts that span operations, engagement, academics and planning. 

The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, or STARS, program is a self-reporting framework for colleges and universities offered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, or AASHE. STARS takes into account many aspects of sustainability from energy to research to diversity and offers points in each category that cumulate to earn a rating. 

"Completing a STARS submission is a heavy lift and a whole-campus effort. Similarly, making progress on sustainability goals and initiatives requires collaboration across campus,” said Kelli O’Day, UC Davis Sustainability assessment program manager. “We're excited to achieve a gold rating again and hope this rating motivates further progress on our goals." 

UC Davis Sustainability’s continued engagement efforts contributed to the university’s high ranking. The Sustainability team has been hard at work keeping the campus community informed and excited about sustainability through regular newsletters, social media and tabling. One of the tabling campaigns, “Embrace Reuse,” worked to progress Zero Waste goals by providing people on campus with free reusable utensil kits to discourage the use of single-use plastic utensils. Through this initiative, Sustainability and Student Housing and Dining Services have given away over 6,000 reusable utensil sets! Read more about this program and keep your eye out for more tabling events this fall.  

In the STARS report, UC Davis excelled in sustainability coordination and planning, in part because of the Campus Advisory Committee on Sustainability, or CACS. The CACS includes UC Davis staff and faculty members and representatives from the City of Davis, the Yocha Dehe Tribe, Yolo County and UC Office of the President with a wide range of expertise and experience. The committee takes a broad perspective on university sustainability to recommend goals and actions that steward UC Davis in its approach to climate, environmental and social sustainability. Recently, the CACS completed a draft of the Fossil Fuel Free Pathway Plan, which provides a roadmap for the university to eliminate fossil fuels from its operations. 

To see the full range of data and information on UC Davis sustainability review the STARS report.