On the occasion of Earth Hour in March, the UC Tech News team brought together leading voices from the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) to discuss a topic of growing significance in the tech space: sustainability and energy innovation. Hosted in collaboration with Al Lavassani, chief privacy officer, the conversation spotlighted progress made across UC campuses and explored the role of the technology community in driving climate-conscious transformation. For those interested in joining the conversation on Earth Day, April 22, from 10-11 a.m., please register now.
Listen to the podcast and read the key Earth Day takeaways, below.
A Vision – Two Decades in the Making
Matt St. Clair, chief sustainability officer at UC Office of the President, shared the inspiring journey of sustainability since he joined the university in 2004. His appointment came shortly after the UC Regents adopted the university’s first Sustainable Practices Policy—an outcome of the “UC Go Solar” student advocacy campaign he was part of. What began as a clean energy and green building policy has since expanded to 13 comprehensive areas encompassing the full spectrum of sustainability, with technology woven throughout.
“UC campuses have installed over 50 megawatts of renewable energy capacity, mostly solar panels,” said St. Clair. “That’s enough to power over 20,000 households annually.”
He emphasized two long-standing pillars of UC’s strategy: shifting to clean energy sources and constructing green buildings. Over the past two decades, UC has embraced large-scale energy efficiency building retrofits—spanning lighting, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), and smart control systems. These efforts have resulted in over $400 million in cumulative utility cost savings.
“We’ve required that all new buildings meet at least LEED Gold certification since 2010, and many of them go beyond that to achieve LEED Platinum,” he added. “What’s really exciting is that many of the technologies we use in these buildings were developed and tested right here—on UC campuses.”
Procurement for a Greener Future
Hilary Steinman, Strategic Sourcing Manager and leader of the UC Office of the President Sustainability Employee Resource Group, emphasized how UC’s procurement strategies align with climate goals.
“We’re a non-mandate organization, so our job is to influence through guidance—not policy,” Steinman said. “That’s why we created the Sustainable Procurement Guidelines—to help departments across the system make smarter, greener decisions.”
Published in 2021, these guidelines provide product category guidance for everything from IT hardware and cleaning supplies to flooring and chemicals. Steinman emphasized their focus on certifications like ENERGY STAR and EP (Environmental Protection Agency), as well as responsible recycling standards such as the Basel Action Network (BAN).
“It’s not just about buying the right thing—it’s also about disposing of it properly,” she said. “We’re making it easier for campuses to reduce e-waste and track emissions that come from supplier activities, known as Scope 3 emissions.”
Measuring and Managing Impact
Sofia Sanchez Pillot Saavedra, UC Office of the President operations coordinator and sustainability lead, and Daniel Rugroden, building engineer, discussed how technology is being used to measure and manage UCOP’s sustainability metrics across Oakland, Riverside, and Washington, D.C.
“Our team at UCOP has done a lot of great work to reduce emissions at our facilities,” said Sanchez Pillot Saavedra. “But we’re also looking more closely at Scope 3 emissions—especially those from commuting and air travel. These are harder to control, but they represent a significant portion of our footprint.”
She noted that data from the latest systemwide sustainability report is helping to inform future goals and strategies.
“It’s interesting to think about all the areas that we aren’t yet tracking—but should be. Every data point matters,” she added.
What the Tech Community Can Do: 4 Key Actions
The UCOP team offered both strategic and practical suggestions for tech professionals who want to contribute to UC’s sustainability mission. Here are four actions you can take today:
1. Tracking and Staying Informed
As Sofia Sanchez Pillot Saavedra noted, “Every data point matters.” For tech professionals, this means taking initiative to measure and understand the environmental impact of your tools, vendors, and processes. Stay informed about the energy use of emerging technologies like AI, and engage with the UC Tech community to share knowledge and collaborate on sustainable solutions.
2. Get Smart About Procurement
Learn about sustainable procurement best practices—especially those related to e-waste and scope 3 emissions from suppliers. By selecting low-impact hardware, ensuring responsible recycling, and choosing vendors who share sustainability goals, IT teams can help shape a cleaner supply chain.
3. Support Clean Energy
Make choices at work and home that support clean energy. Participate in solar programs, energy efficiency retrofits, or advocate for your department to use renewable power. Even small shifts toward clean energy can have a significant long-term impact.
4. Adopt Low-Impact Habits
Use alternative forms of transportation when possible—bike, walk, or take public transit. Dress in layers to reduce the need for heating or cooling in your workspace. These small, everyday habits help reduce energy use and model climate-conscious behavior.
“Technology touches every part of our sustainability journey,” said Matt St. Clair. “What we build and how we use it will define our environmental impact for decades to come.”
As Earth Day approaches, the message is clear: tech teams are not just enablers of sustainability—they are central to its success. With tools, insights, and community momentum on their side, UC’s tech professionals are uniquely positioned to lead by example.
For more on UCOP’s sustainability efforts, read the Sustainable Procurement Guidelines and the latest sustainability report by visiting University of California Sustainability.
And join the conversation on UC Tech Earth Day, April 22, 2025, from 10-11 a.m. REGISTER NOW.
Contacts
Strategic Sourcing Manager and leader of the UCOP Sustainability Employee Resource Group
UC Office of the President
Chief Privacy Officer
University of California
UC Office of the President
Marketing and Partnership Development
UC Office of the President