Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the worldwide community. In response, communities around the world are working towards mitigating its severity. As an institution, UCSC must work to reduce its carbon footprint in accordance with federal, state, and regional goals 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 projects that will reduce our campus’s environmental impact. The UCSC Carbon Fund was created to allocate these funds to student, staff, and faculty projects that directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conduct relevant research, or carry out educational programs. 

Every year, the Carbon Fund has roughly $135,000 to allocate to sustainability projects.