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Our campus's Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan was posted Dec. 2023. Read more about the release of the roadmap that will enable university leadership to make informed decisions our move away from fossil fuel use in our operations.
Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan
Chancellor Gary S. May directed the preparation of a plan for all of UC Davis to move away from fossil fuel use in our operations. This page will chart the process and list feedback opportunities for the campus community.
Background
UC Davis has taken action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and source renewable energy, and we have more work to do. We are now studying how to eliminate most fossil fuel use from our operations with a Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan. The UC Davis Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan, or FFFPP, is the first of its kind undertaken by a University of California campus and one of the earliest comprehensive plans in the U.S. higher education sector.
Process
Chancellor May asked the co-chairs of the Campus Advisory Committee on Sustainability (CACS) to ensure the plan is prepared and has time for feedback from the campus community. The Chancellor specifically did not set a date for achieving fossil fuel-free operations; he wants the planning to document opportunities and resources needs and those findings will enable campus leadership to make data-driven decisions about implementation timing. To inform the planning process, the CACS has created a consensus-based definition of fossil fuel-free for UC Davis, and articulated a consensus-based vision statement for the plan.
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Definition of Fossil Fuel-Free
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The UC Davis Campus Advisory Committee on Sustainability (CACS) defines fossil fuel-free for UC Davis during the 2022 planning phase to mean 95% no fossil fuel use as measured annually for all UC Davis operations (Scope 1) and all UC Davis purchased utilities (Scope 2), against a baseline of 2019 fossil fuel use.
The plan will include public input on fossil fuel-free definitions for our commuting and air travel emissions. The plan will acknowledge the need to track emissions for other Scope 3 sources and begin to set goals for these emissions sources, and devise policy recommendations that can already be implemented now while we improve on our ability to track Scope 3 emissions.
- Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan Vision Statement
- The UC Davis Campus Advisory Committee on Sustainability (CACS) envisions the Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan for UC Davis will offer scenarios for tangible actions, with proposed dates and measurable goals, to achieve our definition of fossil fuel-free. The plan will thread equity and climate justice, and habitat health throughout our scenarios and planned actions to do right by the local and global communities we serve; will be adaptable and position the university for resiliency and to reduce financial, operational and reputational risk of continued dependence on fossil fuel-based energy systems. The technologies to electrify and decarbonize exist now and the CACS envisions a phased planning process that retains the flexibility to incorporate new scientific insights and technological advances; and reflects applicable laws and policies, and established global commitments and social and cultural shifts around the climate emergency. This plan will continue to evolve with these new inputs and information.
Feedback and Education Opportunities
To learn about upcoming Town Halls and other events related to UC Davis' greenhouse gas emissions, sign up for the UC Davis Sustainability e-newsletter.
The draft Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan was available for review to the UC Davis community for three months, from July 28 to Oct. 30, 2023. This feedback was reviewed by the CACS before being submitted to Chancellor May for review in Dec. 2023.
- Prior Feedback and Education Opportunities
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Ongoing Outreach
Fall 2023 Farmers Market Tabling Outreach: Weekly interactions with UCD community members, staffed by Climate Action Fellows, Sustainability staff.
Sustainability Newsletter: Monthly communications. Events, updates, and opportunities related to decarbonization & general fossil fuel reduction strategies.
FFFPP Progress Update: Academic Senate
On Oct. 18, 2023 a Zoom presentation was offered to Academic Senate faculty. An overview of progress to date and guide for submitting draft plan feedback during the open Community Feedback Period.
Community Feedback Period: Jul. 28 - Oct. 30, 2023
The draft Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan was available for review to the UC Davis community for three months. This feedback was reviewed by the CACS before being submitted to Chancellor May for review.
Painting Fossil Free – A Pre-Finals Decompression Event
A student-centered opportunity to learn about the draft Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan and de-compress with your peers before finals by painting the fossil fuel-free future you want to see! Join the fossil fuel-free discussion, get your creativity on, and indulge in some yummy hot chocolate, pan dulce, and tamales!
Thursday, December 1, 2022, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m., Cross Cultural Center, Student Community Center
Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Planning (FFFPP) Town Halls
Chancellor Gary May has directed the preparation of a plan for all of UC Davis, including UC Davis Health, to move away from fossil fuel use in our operations. Come to one or both of these Town Halls, sponsored by the Campus Advisory Committee on Sustainability, to learn about the findings from the draft Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan, and offer your feedback.
Town Hall #1 Zoom, Thursday, November 17, 2022, 12:10- 1:30 p.m.
Town Hall #2 Zoom, Friday, November 18, 2022, 12:10 - 1:30 p.m.
Visit the Campus Advisory Committee on Sustainability (CACS) Table at TGFS!
May 11, 2022, 11:30 - 1:30 p.m., Russell Field
Come meet some of the CACS members, learn from them about the Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan, and share your thoughts and feedback!
Coming Clean: A Demand for a Fossil Free UC Film Screening
Friday, May 13, 2022, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Teaching & Learning Complex, Room 1020 and Zoom option
Registration required.
Sponsored by the College of Biological Sciences and Fossil Free UC Davis (FFUCD), and with participation by the Campus Advisory Committee on Sustainability (CACS). This event will offer introductory remarks, the film screening, and a panel Q&A with the film-makers, members of FFUCD, and members of the CACS. Come learn more about why fossil free is important, what climate actions UC Davis is taking, and our next steps on the journey to fossil fuel-free.
Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Planning (FFPP) Town Halls
Chancellor Gary May has directed the preparation of a plan for all of UC Davis, including UC Davis Health, to move away from fossil fuel use in our operations. Come to this Town Hall, sponsored by the Campus Advisory Committee on Sustainability, to learn more about UC Davis' greenhouse gas emissions, and our planning process to move away from fossil fuel use.
Town Hall #1 In person
Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Davis campus: Student Community Center, Multipurpose Room
No registration required; light refreshments provided.Town Hall #2 In person & Zoom
Thursday, May 19, 2022, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Sacramento (Health) campus: Education Building, Room 3204
No registration required for in-person attendance.