UC San Francisco was proud to host the Global Campus Leadership Committee (GCLC) and the Pathways to Fossil Free Task Force the second week of October. This was the last in-person Task Force and GCLC meeting before the deadline of the UC wide State-funded decarbonization studies, one of the largest UC wide initiatives towards integrating the University’s sustainability goal: to achieve net-zero carbon pollution by 2045.
The GCLC and Task Force was formed in 2014 by then University of California President Janet Napolitano to guide UC sustainability efforts. The two groups, composed of UC officials, faculty and students, meet on a rotating basis with each UC campus hosting once every five years.
The two-day event included remarks from UC President Michael V. Drake as well as UCSF’s Chancellor Sam Hawgood and Executive Vice Chancellor (EVCP) Catherine Lucey, who shared about how the UCSF campus and health centers are implementing actions towards decarbonization targets.
“We find ourselves at a pivotal moment, rich with opportunities for growth and innovation. Our priorities demand sustained investment in our foundational strengths—research, patient care, and education—alongside the development of top-tier facilities to fulfill our mission,” Hawgood said during his opening remarks.
This year’s event program was organized by UCSF Chief Sustainability Officer, Kira Stoll, and included presentations from the UCSF based UC Center for Climate, Health and Equity that highlighted the extensive education and research efforts and UCSF’s Sustainability Medical Director, Dr. Seema Gandhi, who covered the transformative efforts she is leading from greatly reducing Greenhouse gas emissions from anesthesia gasses to pilots that can dramatically reduce waste in operating rooms.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to host the event at UCSF. It offered an opportunity to highlight the extensive and progressive building decarbonization study that UCSF has completed, setting a pathway to operate our buildings on 100% clean energy and mostly eliminate fossil fuel combustion over the next 10 to 20 years. Discussions on the UCSF programs also spurred the GCLC to consider ways to expand further these initiatives here and across the UC system,” Stoll said.
Robert Horwitz, Fossil Free task force Co-chair and Professor Emeritus of the Graduate Division at UC San Diego, observed the different approaches that campuses were taking towards decarbonization and was impressed by the work being done at UCSF.
“Some of the faculty at UCSF have been doing superb work in addressing various aspects of climate change in their teaching and research,” Horwitz said.
The event features breakout sessions at lunch on subjects ranging from “Sustainable Transportation” to “Climate Anxiety” where participants collaborated to brainstorm solutions and actionable steps that the UC system can take in these project areas.
Attendees also had the opportunity to participate a tour of the Bayfront Medical Building and a Sustainability Walking Tour hosted by Campus Life Services, which showcased innovative environmental features at UCSF Mission Bay like pesticide-free landscaping, the preliminary utility plant and UCSF’s innovative lab plastics recycling program.
Daniel Chau, Assistant Director of Recycling and Waste Reduction Program, led visitors on the lab plastics part of the tour, and was excited to see how impactful it was for visitors to see these projects firsthand.
“We can always talk about it or do news stories but it’s different having people walk and see things in and being able to answer questions on the spot helps drive the engagement and it lands with a better lasting impact,” Chau said.
As the event ended, participants left feeling inspired and emboldened about the possibilities for further climate action across the UC campuses. The event had an amazing turn out of UCSF leadership.
In addition to Chancellor Hawgood and EVCP Lucey, UCSF was represented by Senior Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration, Erin Gore and Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at UCSF Health Sheila Antrum, whose executive sponsorship and leadership has been key to the finalization of UCSF’s decarbonization study being submitted later this month. In addition, Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Life Services (CLS), Jon Giacomi’s team worked after hours to put on the event and prepare the space for visitors.
"I’m truly surprised and grateful for this accomplishment. This experience truly embodies what CLS stands for—coming together to achieve common goals. I appreciate everyone’s efforts in making the meetings and reception a success. I want to mention that [Facilities Services Associate Director] Sean Aloise and [Administrative Officer] Yolanda Marquez were a huge help," Administrative Analyst, Johana Garcia Aguilar said.
