University of California, Merced
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

UC Merced’s Office of Governmental and Community Relations works with the UC Office of the President to support public policy advocacy on policies and legislation that affect the campus and the UC system. In November 2015 UC Merced submitted a pledge letter in support of the White House Act on Climate Initiative. The pledge commitment letter reflects UC Merced's bold sustainability goals to include; Net Zero Energy, Zero Waste, and Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions, as well as UC Merced’s LEED Building Certification, and Water Awareness commitments. These goals and commitments are detailed below. Triple Zero Goals UC Merced has made a Triple Net Zero Commitment to achieve by the year 2020. The campus has pledged to consume net zero energy through efficiency and renewable energy production and procurement; produce zero waste, diverting from the landfill all campus waste through reducing excess consumption and recycling/composting to the maximum extent feasible; and net zero greenhouse gas emissions through preventing as much carbon emissions as campus produces. LEED Certification UC Merced is a committed demonstrated leader with regards to the USGBC Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification program. Water Awareness UC Merced is committed to raising awareness to our campus community about the California drought and the need to conserve water. Our campus conducts annual student residence hall water conservation competitions, and as a result, almost one-quarter of undergraduate students have participated in one or more water conservation competitions. Operationally, we are committed to constructing all of our buildings to be 40% more water efficient than state requirements.