In March 2019 we released this Request for Ideas for UC carbon offset projects.
The University of California (UC) is soliciting ideas from the UC community for projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or sequester carbon. Under UC’s Carbon Neutrality Initiative (CNI), the UC system has committed to reducing its net GHGs from its operations to zero by 2025. To help UC bring its emissions all the way down to zero, we are seeking two types of offset projects:
1) UC-initiated offset projects
2) projects already on the carbon offset market
Projects can be located anywhere and must meet UC values by resulting in emissions reductions or sequestration that are high quality, reasonable-cost, and fulfill our mission of research, education, and public service. We are particularly seeking projects that expand or apply UC research, offer educational opportunities to students, advance understanding of scalable climate solutions, provide health and social justice benefits, and directly benefit or have resonance with the UC community and communities surrounding the UC campuses.
Due by June 9, 2019
The goal of this RFI is to build a portfolio of potential offset projects that are initiated by UC faculty, students, and staff, and explore the viability of supporting those projects with payments from UC for GHG emission reductions or sequestration achieved. The total funds UC expects to invest in these projects is substantial, given UC’s projected offset needs of 250,000 to 500,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2025 and declining amounts thereafter. As an initial step, UC is offering seed awards of up to $70,000, depending on project size and co-benefits, to bring selected projects closer to implementation.
We welcome submissions for projects that measurably reduce GHG emissions or sequester carbon, and would be initiated by UC. We hope to receive a wide range of submissions that vary in size, location, type, co-benefits, submitter (faculty, students, staff, researchers), and readiness (from early testing of moonshot ideas to implementing well-established technologies).
Reviewed as they come in
The goal of this solicitation is to tap the knowledge pool of our University community to identify offset projects already available on the offset market that meet UC’s standards, mission, and values. Please tell us if you know of a specific offset project or an offset project type from which UC might consider purchasing credits. Thank you!