Sustainability News

California State University, Chico is addressing the problem of climate change through its commitment to sustainable building practices, notably through its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) specifications and the recent construction of a net-zero energy building.

Buildings can produce huge quantities of greenhouse gas emissions, both in the construction process (called embodied carbon) as well as in ongoing building operations.  LEED provides a framework for building design that positively impacts sustainability and resiliency efforts.  This is because LEED buildings are built to ensure spaces are healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving by scoring aspects like energy, water efficiency, transportation, air quality, and many more.

Chico State has been building to LEED standards since 2006 with the completion of the Student Services Center.  Currently, campus has four Gold-certified LEED buildings, three Silver-certified LEED buildings, and one building built to Silver LEED standards.  Because campus buildings include many different types of spaces from offices to classrooms to labs, it can be challenging to balance sustainability and efficiency requirements with occupants’ needs.

Check out each building’s unique characteristics on the website.  You’ll find recovered timber, solar panels, water-saving, and energy-saving elements incorporated into the design of many buildings on campus, among other unique features. 

The Behavioral & Social Sciences Building at California State University, Chico stands as a testament to the university’s unwavering commitment to combating climate change through sustainable campus development. Envisioned as a beacon of eco-conscious design, the strategies seamlessly woven into the building's fabric propel us toward achieving net-zero energy, forging a pathway to a more sustainable future.

By emphasizing walkability and sustainable transportation initiatives, the building underscores our dedication to reducing environmental impact. It promotes bicycle commuting with strategically located racks, showers, and walkable surroundings, aligning with our vision for an eco-friendly campus. Biophilic design strategies further connect users to nature, incorporating living trees, views to Big Chico Creek, and abundant natural daylight through large windows, reducing the need for artificial lighting and thus lowering energy consumption.

Building systems, including renewable energy sources, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and energy-efficient HVAC systems contribute to making this building net-zero energy. LED technology illuminates the interiors, while the exclusion of natural gas underscores a commitment to decarbonized building systems. Responsible material selections, meeting LEED requirements, and ingredient transparency emphasize our dedication to mitigating environmental impacts and reducing the building's carbon footprint.

The incorporation of thermal mass through exterior brick cladding and insulation demonstrates a thoughtful approach to creating an environmentally sensitive enclosure, enhancing energy efficiency by maintaining stable indoor temperatures.

The Behavioral & Social Sciences Building not only exemplifies sustainable construction but also paves the way for a future where our campus highlights eco-consciousness, energy efficiency, and a harmonious relationship with the natural world. By addressing climate change head-on, Chico State is setting a standard for educational institutions, showcasing how innovative building practices can lead to significant environmental benefits.

California State University, Chico is taking significant steps to address the problem of climate change by transitioning from gas vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). Adhering to the Sustainability, Energy, and Utilities Asset Management (SUAM) guidelines, CSUC has surpassed its goals in promoting eco-friendly transportation on campus. This commitment is evident in the annual statistics, showcasing a remarkable shift from 10% electric vehicles in the academic year 2017-18 to an impressive 45% in the current year. The trajectory is set to climb even higher, with a targeted 50% electric vehicle adoption expected next year.

A notable step towards sustainability was the procurement of an electric street sweeper in 2021, replacing its gas-powered counterpart. This move significantly reduced carbon emissions on campus and served as a tangible example of CSUC's dedication to combating climate change. In addition to this, several more electric vehicles were added to the campus fleet in 2019, demonstrating a continuous commitment to reducing the university's environmental impact.

The journey towards electric vehicles at CSUC began in 2011 with an initial transition led by the MILES corporation. Although this early endeavor faced challenges and the chosen technology did not meet expectations, resulting in the need for replacements, CSUC remained undeterred. Learning from the experience, the university reinforced its commitment to sustainability by adopting more reliable and efficient electric vehicles in subsequent years.

Over the past five years, Chico State's landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation, prioritizing native and drought-tolerant plantings to combat heat islands, reduce water needs, and enhance biodiversity. By leveraging GIS mapping technology, the university identified areas lacking canopy coverage as hotspots, prompting targeted interventions. One student-led project planted 17 trees on campus, with Facilities planting an additional 65 trees by the soccer field, significantly reducing heat islands and naturally sequestering carbon from the atmosphere.

Student-led restoration projects in spring 2022 and fall 2023 focused on locations by the creek, restoring the native riparian corridor habitat. Native and drought-tolerant species were selected for their resilience against dry conditions and invasives, reviving ecosystems and fortifying them against future challenges. The first restoration project was led by a Green Campus student and funded by SFAC funding, and the second was a collaboration between Green Campus and the Butte Environmental Council. Both projects included the Campus Vegetation and Arboretum Committee (CVAC) to ensure the selected plants would not negatively impact or be impacted by the surrounding vegetation.

Notably, landscape enhancements at the Gateway Science Museum in fall 2018 exemplified the campus's commitment to transformation. Incorporating subsurface lawn irrigation systems alongside drip irrigation for native flora, these projects showcased sustainable practices while attracting diverse wildlife like birds, bees, and butterflies.

Looking ahead, Chico State remains dedicated to expanding its use of native and drought-tolerant plants in upcoming landscape projects. This focus on resilient landscaping not only addresses current environmental challenges but also prepares the campus for future climatic shifts, creating a sustainable and thriving environment for all.