About the Carbon Fund

Our Story

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the worldwide community. In response, communities around the world are working towards mitigating the severity of climate change. As an institution, UCSC must reduce its carbon footprint in accordance with federal law, state law, and UC system-wide policies. As a university, UCSC is a signatory to the national American College and University President’s Climate Commitment, as well as the regional Climate Action Compact with the city and county. 

In 2006, UCSC students passed Measure 28, taxing themselves to buy Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) in order to offset the climate impact of campus electricity purchases. In 2010, UCSC students changed the use of the funds through the passage of Measure 44. The amendment allowed funds to be used for sustainability projects that will reduce our campus’s carbon footprint. The UCSC Carbon Fund was created to allocate these funds to student, staff, and community projects that reduce greenhouse gases on campus and in the community. The Carbon Fund provides funding, via grants, to green projects that directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conduct relevant research, or carry out educational programs. 

Every year, the Carbon Fund has roughly $130,000 to allocate to sustainability projects that will reduce UCSC's carbon footprint.  

Our Mission

The Carbon Fund committee strives for a sustainable future by working to mitigate climate change through funding and participating in projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conduct relevant research, or carry out education and behavioral change programs. The Committee’s commitment is foremost to the campus and its students, but also to the wider community as climate change is a threat without boundaries.

Read the original referendum.