UC Irvine Climate Collaboration

From the melting glaciers of Greenland to the wildfires of California, climate impact is reshaping our world—disrupting economies, businesses and communities. At the University of California, Irvine, our researchers are pioneering collaborative approaches that mitigate these impacts, recognizing that addressing complex climate challenges requires interdisciplinary teamwork and innovative partnerships. We are advancing wildfire prediction models to better manage open spaces, redesigning flood infrastructure to improve water conservation, and enhancing law and policy so governments can better respond to the sustainability issues we face today. Additionally, we are developing tools and metrics that help businesses assess climate risks, enhance resilience and drive sustainable growth. By fostering collaboration between leading-edge science, policy and industry, UC Irvine is turning challenges into opportunities—creating a more secure, sustainable and prosperous future that resonates with forward-thinking partners and supporters who share our vision for a resilient world. UC Irvine's Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Report outlines the vision for a campuswide initiative with strategic recommendations across research, education, partnerships, communication and campus operations to drive meaningful climate solutions.

Propose 2025-26 Research Themes

New Climate Collaboration Grants Now Open

The UC Irvine Climate Collaboration is launching two campus-wide funding opportunities to spark interdisciplinary research and partnerships. The Climate Collaboration Project Grants (due July 1, 2025) and Climate Collaboration Matching Grants (due July 1, 2025) are open to all eligible UC Irvine faculty and designed to advance solutions-oriented work in climate, resilience and sustainability.

Faculty participation will shape the future direction of the Collaboration.

Project Grant Program

Matching Grant Program

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

A Legacy of Environmental Leadership

UC Irvine has long been a catalyst for environmental stewardship, fostering interdisciplinary research and implementing real-word solutions to address global sustainability challenges. Notably, the university played a pivotal role in the discovery of ozone layer depletion through the groundbreaking work of F. Sherwood Rowland, which led to the development of the Montreal Protocol – hailed as one of the most successful international agreements to protect the planet. This foundational work in atmospheric chemistry earned a Nobel Prize and continues to inspire impactful research.

As a top "Cool School" and living laboratory, UC Irvine applies its sustainability research to practical innovations such as the nation’s first all-electric bus fleet and all-electricity-powered hospital, as well as the most LEED Platinum buildings for new university construction, setting new standards for ecosystems, communities and the global economy.

Pioneering Atmospheric Research:
In the 1970s, UC Irvine’s F. Sherwood Rowland and postdoctoral student Mario Molina discovered the ozone-depleting effects of CFC gases. Their groundbreaking work earned them the 1995 Nobel Prize in chemistry, catalyzing global environmental action.
Leading in Sustainable Construction:
UC Irvine boasts 23 LEED Platinum-certified buildings, the highest number for new university construction in America. Despite doubling in size over the past 25 years, the campus maintains the same energy consumption, exemplifying efficient growth.
Revolutionizing Campus Transportation:
In 2018, UC Irvine became the nation’s first university to fully transition to an all-electric bus fleet. The eco-friendly system has since added 25 buses to its fleet, significantly reducing the campus carbon footprint.
Innovating Healthcare Sustainability:
The upcoming UCI Health – Irvine will be America’s first medical campus powered entirely by clean energy, utilizing a state-of-the-art central utility plant running on solar and electric power.
Embedding Sustainability in Education:
Nearly 50 percent of UC Irvine’s curriculum is sustainability-related, with over 900 undergraduate and 430 graduate-level courses integrating environmental themes, preparing future leaders for a sustainable world.

Led by Civil Engineer Brett Sanders

Chancellor’s Professor Brett Sanders is uniting education, research, communication, community engagement and practical applications to inspire actionable progress in addressing environmental challenges. Our work in climate, resilience and sustainability involves faculty from many different schools across the UC Irvine campus.

A civil and environmental engineer, Sanders is trained in the mechanics of environmental systems and computational methods for simulating the interaction of people and infrastructure with the natural environment. Simulation tools give us an eye into the future, allowing us to better assess risks, evaluate response options and negotiate effective solutions – from new technologies to policy action. Sanders is also experienced with multifaceted research projects that meaningfully engage stakeholders. The integration of new technology, leading-edge science, stakeholder engagement and policy measures will be vital in creating a sustainable tomorrow for future generations.

Advisory Council of Deans

The Climate Collaboration will be supported by an advisory council made up of the following members:

Bernadette Boden-Albala, M.P.H., Dr.P.H

Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health

James Bullock, Ph.D.

School of Physical Sciences

Magnus Egerstedt, Ph.D.

Samueli School of Engineering

Jon Gould, Ph.D.

School of Social Ecology

Ian Williamson, Ph.D.

Paul Merage School of Business

The Climate Collaboration will also include a faculty steering committee with campuswide representation, and an external advisory board with representatives from government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. These groups will be convened later in 2025.

Collaboration Starts Here

At the core of the UC Irvine Climate Collaboration are our working groups – cross-disciplinary, action-oriented teams that will drive real progress on climate solutions. As noted above, UC Irvine has a rich history of contributions, and we also have many existing research teams focused on the key issues (links to some of these are provided at the bottom of this page). Our goal is to bring together individuals from these different teams. Our working groups will be shaped by you – our faculty, researchers and community members at UC Irvine. We are launching a collaborative process to identify the most urgent challenges and promising opportunities in climate and sustainability. We are excited to engage in open dialogue: listening to your ideas, learning from your experience and building together here in Orange County.

Whether you bring deep expertise or fresh curiosity, we want to hear from you. Each working group will be built to reflect real needs, elevate faculty strengths and foster bold collaboration across disciplines and schools.

Get Involved

Harnessing the Power of Collaboration

The UC Irvine Climate Collaboration serves as a catalyst for groundbreaking, stakeholder-engaged research that addresses urgent sustainability challenges and shapes the next generation of environmental leaders. By bridging diverse disciplines and fostering partnerships with community and industry allies, we are creating a unique ecosystem that transforms leading-edge research into tangible, real-world solutions. Our approach integrates hands-on learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, embedding them in interdisciplinary projects that tackle pressing environmental issues. This synergy of engagement, research and education cultivates an unparalleled environment for collaboration, positioning UC Irvine at the forefront of climate resilience and sustainability advances in California and beyond. By leveraging the collective strengths and innovative capacity of the Orange County region, we are poised to achieve bold, urgently needed progress in climate solutions. The Climate Collaboration invites visionary partners and supporters to join us in this transformative journey, as we work together to secure a vibrant, sustainable future for all.