Earth Month: UC Davis Health marks a year of sustainability milestones
(SACRAMENTO)
As Earth Month comes to a close, UC Davis Health reflects on a year marked by progress in environmental sustainability. Through innovations in energy, waste reduction, transportation, purchasing, water reduction, design and construction and clinical care, the health system has demonstrated a strong, ongoing commitment to advancing both human and planetary health—one impactful step at a time.
Here is a look at how UC Davis Health is building a more sustainable and resilient future for our campus and community, starting with national and global firsts.
National Recognition for Climate and Sustainability
UC Davis Health became the first university in the country to receive Platinum Resiliency Recognition from the U.S. Resiliency Council for its Parking Structure 4 (PS4). The facility is designed to withstand seismic events with minimal damage and quick re-occupancy. The award, presented by Clark Pacific, aligns with UC Davis Health’s commitment to the Health Sector Climate Pledge, signed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the White House in 2022.
PS4 also earned Parksmart Certification—the only global certification for high-performing, sustainable parking structures—and hosts the largest number of electric vehicle chargers on the Sacramento health campus.
For the third consecutive year, UC Davis Health was named a Top 25 Environmental Excellence Award Winner by Practice Greenhealth, the highest honor given to hospitals nationwide. Additional awards from Practice Greenhealth included:
Greening the OR Recognition (2024 was Year 3)
Circle of Excellence for Sustainable Procurement, Water, and Green Building
Climate Resilience and Equity in Action
UC Davis Health made major strides in preparing for and responding to the impacts of climate change:
Completed its first Climate Hazard Vulnerability Assessment
Held five community engagement sessions to rank climate risks
Developed its first-ever climate hazard toolkit focused on protecting aging populations from extreme heat
Launched the equity-focused decarbonization plan, bringing diverse staff into planning for a fossil fuel-free campus
Waste Reduction and Recycling
Efforts to reduce waste and promote a circular economy yielded measurable results:
Reduced our landfill waste in FY24 compared to baseline of FY22 by 135.6 tons, a 3% reduction from baseline
Launched centralized waste stations in non-patient care buildings
Expanded recycle pilot programs throughout the medical center, including the East 4 Pilot Recycling Program to recycle items from patient rooms
Scheduled centralized waste to be implemented in new construction projects in all non-patient care rooms / spaces
Partnered with Matter Medical to donate 9,500 lbs. of surplus supplies to underserved communities globally
Purchasing
UC Davis Health is making significant strides in sustainable purchasing as well as waste reduction:
Revamped UCDH’s reprocessing efforts by partnering with Medline ReNewal to increase collections and divert more waste from landfills.
SecurePrint is currently being rolled out in a staggered fashion. This program reduces incidental printing which is impactful to the organization.
Appointed dedicated team member to help drive sustainability initiatives in supply chain.
Transportation & Active Commuting
Sustainable commuting options expanded and flourished:
Logged 10,600 miles during May is Bike Month
Ranked No. 1 among healthcare organizations in the Sacramento region
Opened a 100-bike secure shelter with lockers
Distributed over 300 helmets to staff and students with safety grant support
Celebrated a full year of the Elk Grove Express Bus, serving 300-plus riders
Energy Innovations
UC Davis Health implemented energy-saving measures and clean energy solutions:
Completed phase one of the Central Utility Plant expansion
Saved over 1.35 million kWh annually via OR HVAC setbacks
Rolled out MRI energy metering and software corrections to reduce global emissions
Established building standards requiring metering of all imaging systems
Green Clinical Leadership
Clinical departments led the charge in adopting sustainable practices:
Emergency Department reduced paper waste by 370,000 pages/year and shifted to reusable splints, instruments, and gowns
Radiology implemented reusable gowns, optimized scanner energy use, and earned a 2025 Sustainability Champion Award for Tammy Boak
Pharmacy moved toward paperless prescribing
Nursing implemented a system-wide Sustainability Suggestion Box, yielding some of the most impactful sustainability initiatives
Nursing reduced landfill waste by more than 26,000 pounds by changing the hospital’s approach to providing patients with Admission Kit and Comfort Kit supplies – an initiative that came to light via the Sustainability Suggestion Box
Planning, Design, and Construction Initiatives
New building projects and upgrades prioritized sustainable design and materials:
Adopted smarter building designs that reduce energy consumption and improve staff and patient experience
Completed resilient structures that withstand flooding and heat
Completed one of the first Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) projects in California with the new Folsom Medical Care Clinic
On track to earn both LEED Gold and LEED Silver designations for sustainable building design with the new Folsom Medical Care Clinic
Completed one of the first University of California projects to fully integrate UC’s newest Sustainable Practices Policy
Progressed to near completion of Phase 1 of the Central Plant Expansion, including the installation of the new primary chiller for the CUP (Chiller #4)
Began construction of Phase 2 of the Central Plant Expansion, Make Ready for the Central Plant Annex, keeping it on schedule to break ground later this year
Designed and built 48X to reduce energy usage by 35% compared to the LEED baseline, including:
High-performance exterior insulation and solar shading
Efficient HVAC and water heating systems
LED lighting with daylight optimization
Rooftop solar power systems
Saving Water
Landscape and irrigation upgrades led to dramatic water savings:
Began executing a Turf Reduction Master Plan that that will save 10.6 million gallons of potable and non-potable water annually
Replaced turf with drought-tolerant plants that thrive in the local climate
Upgraded irrigation systems to maximize water efficiency
Began transferring the water-saving strategies to other sites
Community Engagement
Throughout the year, UC Davis Health brought together staff, partners, and the public to celebrate and advance sustainability.
From Earth Month to Clean Air Day, UC Davis Health organized events that featured walking tours, sustainability tabling, and the launch of the Fossil Fuel Free Pathway Plan. On Clean Air Day, nearly 100 helmets were distributed, five trees were planted, and new partnerships were spotlighted—all in service of cleaner air and stronger community health.
Get Involved
UC Davis Health’s sustainability journey showcases what’s possible when leadership, innovation, and community come together. From groundbreaking infrastructure certifications to equity-centered climate planning and clinical waste reduction, the organization is creating a model for sustainable health care.
