Innovative programs that are helping make UC campuses greener and two systemwide sustainability champions were honored at the 2012 California Higher Education Sustainability Conference.

UC Davis hosted this year’s conference, held in June and organized by the UC system, the California State University system, California Community Colleges and some of the state’s private colleges. Each system honors its own green efforts and sustainability leaders.

“California’s universities and colleges are doing some of the best green building and energy efficiency projects in the nation,” said Matt St. Clair, UCOP sustainability manager. “These efforts are not only helping our campuses save money and provide healthier working conditions, they are also providing innovations that can be replicated across the state and the country.”

John Elliott, UC Merced’s former director of energy and sustainability, and Jim Genes, special assistant to the campus’s vice chancellor for administration, were called a “dynamic duo” by the committee who picked them for the award.

The Best Practice Awards, announced in April and presented at the conference, highlight achievements that can serve as models for other campuses. Programs at UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz and UC San Francisco won awards for inventive approaches to energy efficiency, sustainable foodservice and waste reduction.

For the full story, including links to additional coverage of the conference, go to the UC Newsroom.

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