Draft Climate Action Plan 

Comments and suggestions are appreciated and can be left directly on the document or sent to Jewel Persad at jewelpersad@ucsb.edu. If you would like to review a PDF version of the plan, please email Jewel Persad. 

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This chart shows CO2 emissions (in metric tons) by source from 2019–2023. Emissions dropped sharply from 2019 to 2020, hitting the lowest point in 2021 before rising again in 2022 and 2023. Major contributors include stationary combustion, purchased electricity, commute, and air travel. Smaller portions come from fleet, business car travel, and municipal solid waste. The overall trend shows a steep initial decline followed by a gradual rebound.

UCSB Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The figure illustrates the trend in CO2e emissions levels from 2019 to 2023. UCSB has already nearly eliminated Scope 2 emissions by purchasing clean electricity, and overall GHG emissions have fallen over 40%. With the recent decline in Scope 2 emissions, Scope 1 emissions from natural gas have become the largest source, accounting for 50% of our total emissions.

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This donut chart shows greenhouse gas emissions by category. The largest share is Scope 1 - Stationary Combustion at 50.8%, followed by Scope 3 - Commuting at 28.7% and Scope 3 - Business Air Travel at 11.9%. Smaller contributors include Scope 3 - Waste (2.7%), Scope 1 - Mobile Combustion (3.2%), Scope 3 - Business Car Travel (1.1%), and Scope 1 - Fugitive Emissions (0.9%).

Climate Action Plan Update

The 2025 CAP assesses and analyzes UCSB’s current, historical, and projected emissions and evaluates the campus’s progress toward meeting the UC Climate Policy.  Planned and conceptual climate change mitigation strategies are outlined in the plan and provide a potential pathway towards achieving the 90% reduction in total emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3 shown in the figure) by calendar year 2045 from a 2019 baseline. The plan also addresses climate resilience and how we can prepare our campus community for future climate conditions.

UC Climate Policy

The UC Sustainable Practices policy requires:

  • Each location is to achieve at least a 90% direct reduction in total emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3) by no later than the calendar year 2045, and negate any residual emissions by carbon removal.
  • Each location is to set Scope 1 GHG reduction targets for 2030, 2035, and 2040.
  • Each location is to prepare an updated climate action plan (CAP) to establish and achieve the above GHG emission reduction goals that incorporate climate and environmental justice, and integrate adaptation and resiliency considerations.
  • The Climate Section of the UC Sustainable Practices policy also requires each campus to purchase 100% clean electricity beginning in 2025.

Plan Contributors

The campus would like to thank and acknowledge the following individuals for their involvement and contributions to the completion of the Climate Action Plan Update:

Contributing Writers:
Sustainability Internships and Community Resources Department, Student Affairs

  • Abigail Samantha Balais, UC Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate Action Resiliency Fellow

  • Ada Chibueze, UC Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate Action Fellow, Transportation Focus

  • Lainey Djajakusuma, UC Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate Action Fellow, Transportation Focus

  • Katie Maynard, Director, Student Sustainability Initiatives

  • Estrella Alcaraz Munoz, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Research Intern

  • Jaret Valera, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Research Intern

  • Michelle Shteynberg, UC Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate Engagement Fellow

Contributing Subject Matter Experts:

  • Renée Bahl, Associate Vice Chancellor, Design, Facilities & Safety Services & Co-Chair of Chancellor's Sustainability Committee

  • John Behlman, Assistant Director, Transportation Services

  • Jen Bowser, Sustainable Procurement Program Manager & Small Business Officer, Procurement Services

  • Jim Caesar, Campus Emergency Manager, Emergency Management & Mission Continuity

  • Nestor Covarrubias, Sr. Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

  • Ken Hiltner, Faculty, English Department, & Co-Chair of the Sustainability Transportation Committee

  • Jordan Sager, Associate Director, Design, Facilities & Safety Services

  • A.S Environmental Justice Alliance Members: Alicia Siebers, Katja Reinwald, Bella Rosemarie Crosland Bell

Reviewing Subject Matter Experts:

  • Dr. Mary Bucholtz, Distinguished Professor of Linguistics, UC Santa Barbara

  • Dr. Jayajit Chakraborty, Professor & Mellichamp Chair in Racial Environmental Justice, Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UC Santa Barbara

  • Alan Grosenheider, Interim University Librarian, UC Santa Barbara

  • Dr. Julie Maldonado, Co-founder and Associate Director for the Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN), Continuing Lecturer, Environmental Studies, UC Santa Barbara

  • Shari Hammond, Associate Director, Campus Planning & Design

Review Committees:

  • Chancellor's Sustainability Committee (CSC)

  • Sustainable Transportation Committee

Administrative Services:

  • Lead Author & Project Manager - Jewel Persad, Campus Sustainability Manager

Upcoming Workshops and Public Meeting Schedule

Virtual Public Forum 

Join us on November 5th for a draft CAP public forum
This 1-hour session will be held via Zoom on November 5th, beginning at 3:00 PM PDT
Please RSVP here.
Zoom link - https://ucsb.zoom.us/j/83272808237 

In-Person Student Forum

Join us on Thursday, November 6th begining at 12:00 PM in the SRB Multipurpose Room. Food will be provided. 

Please RSVP Here