UC Santa Barbara is a signatory of the Talloires Declaration. The Declaration is a ten-point action plan for incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy in teaching, research, operations, and outreach at colleges and universities. Drafted in 1990 at an international conference in Talloires, France, the Talloires Declaration has been signed by more than 300 university presidents and chancellors in over 40 countries.

Students outside chatting during a wildfire lecture

Strategic Academic Plan 

The Strategic Plan identifies the environment as one of four key areas of interdisciplinary teaching and research to be prioritized by the campus. The plan also identifies the academy and society, and global and international issues as key areas of interdisciplinary pursuit. These are both equally important to sustainability as the nature of sustainability issues is global and solutions will rely on partnerships between the university and the broader society.

Outside Lecture in the fog

PhD Emphasis in Environment and Society

UCSB Sustainability helped to luanch an Interdepartmental PhD Emphasis in Environment and Society. The goal of the PhD Emphasis in Environment and Society is to provide UCSB doctoral students training and mentorship in interdisciplinary environmental studies and sciences beyond the scope of their normal degree programs. 

Two Interns sitting at a table in front of DLG with information about sustainability

Campus as a Living Lab

The UCSB Sustainability Internship Program offers a wide array of opportunities for current undergraduate and graduate students to participate in campus and community based programs and initiatives.  We serve as a launching point for new internship projects, much like an incubator for start-up companies. All internship opportunities are paid.