The University of California (UC), a prestigious public university system headquartered in the United States, is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and research innovation. Established in 1868, UC has grown to encompass ten campuses across California, including notable institutions such as UC Berkeley and UCLA. As a leader in higher education, the University of California operates within the education sector, focusing on a diverse range of disciplines from the humanities to the sciences. Its core offerings include undergraduate and graduate degree programmes, cutting-edge research initiatives, and community engagement projects, all distinguished by a strong emphasis on inclusivity and public service. With a reputation for producing Nobel laureates and groundbreaking research, the University of California consistently ranks among the top university systems globally, solidifying its position as a cornerstone of academic and cultural advancement in the region.
How does University of California's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Education Services industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
University of California's score of 44 is higher than 70% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2018, the University of California reported total carbon emissions of approximately 1,129,233,000 kg CO2e, encompassing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. This figure highlights the university's significant carbon footprint, which is part of its broader climate commitments. The University of California has set ambitious targets to reduce its carbon emissions. It aims to achieve a reduction of at least 90% across all scopes (1, 2, and 3) by 2045, without relying on voluntary carbon offsets. This long-term goal was established in 2019 and reflects the university's commitment to sustainability and climate action. Additionally, the university has pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 for all scopes, with an immediate goal of operational carbon neutrality by 2025. This near-term target is supported by updated Climate Action Plans across its campuses, which were implemented in early 2017. The emissions data and reduction initiatives underscore the University of California's proactive approach to addressing climate change and its dedication to fostering a sustainable future.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 1,000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 400,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 200,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
University of California has not publicly committed to specific 2030 or 2050 climate goals through the major frameworks we track. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.

