About

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.

Since its founding in 1965, UC Irvine has established a range of academic programs that contribute to climate, resilience and sustainability studies and education, and our work has resulted in many important scientific and technological advances. This initiative seeks to bridge these strengths with the goal of addressing significant challenges. It aims to provide practical solutions to the economic, health, safety, and ecosystem impacts and risks arising today. The Collaboration will cultivate interdisciplinary partnerships that generate innovative climate research, inform policy and practice, and prepare students for leadership in climate resilience and sustainability.

The Climate Collaboration is charged with:

Fostering cross-campus collaboration around UC Irvine’s strength in climate and sustainability research, as well as the strengths and resources of community partners, with the aim of cultivating new interdisciplinary research initiatives and community partnerships.
Supporting UC Irvine’s carbon-neutrality goals.
Raising the visibility of climate and sustainability initiatives at UC Irvine.
Coordinating the development and enhancement of climate-related academic programs and community partnerships at UC Irvine.

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.