Two University of California, Merced leaders credited with spearheading the university’s sustainability efforts were awarded the 2012 UC Sustainability Champion award.

Former UC Merced Director of Energy and Sustainability John Elliott and Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Administration Jim Genes were presented with the award at the 11th annual California Higher Education Sustainability Conference earlier this summer, held at UC Davis. The conference recognizes leaders in sustainability, highlights research, and lauds case studies with proven success.

Genes and Elliot, who recently left UC Merced to become the chief sustainability officer at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, worked to implement the campus’ “Triple-Zero Commitment” – zero net energy consumption, zero net greenhouse gas emissions, and zero landfill waste. Through aggressively setting energy performance targets for every building, an on-campus solar array, and a comprehensive recycling program, the university is expected to meet the goal.