California State University - Long Beach

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Table of Contents

Tours

  1. Sustainability Tour

    CSULB's commitment to promoting sustainability through our campus operations, academic programs, and engagement efforts. Learn how the university is w

    Stops

    1. Parkside North Residence Hall

      Green Building Design

      When new buildings are constructed or renovated on campus, the latest green building standards, techniques, and materials are utilized. Whether utilizing the standards of the of a recognized green building rating and certification system or simply building to meet California’s rigorous Green Building Code, steps are taken to ensure the buildings constructed on our campus are energy and water efficient, utilize building materials that are healthy for occupants, and designed and built in ways that minimize waste and carbon intensity.

      The campus has several buildings certified under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

      Notably, CSULB is also the first campus in the CSU to construct buildings (Parkside North and Hillside Gateway) using the International Living Future Institute’s Living Building Challenge program. The Living Building Challenge is the most ambitious green building standard in the world. This certification recognizes regenerative projects that have documented net positive water, waste, and energy through performance metrics. As of fall of 2021, less than 30 buildings globally have achieved this incredibly challenging and exemplary feat.

      Visit our Energy & Buildings web page to learn about the buildings on campus that have received green building awards and certifications.

    2. College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPaCE)

      Net Zero Energy Building

      When it opened in 2018, the CPaCE building became the first net zero energy classroom building in the CSU system. It is considered “net zero” because renewable energy produced by the solar panels on campus offset the energy usage of the building. Other innovative, eco-friendly design features include an automated control system that regulates temperatures based on both conditions outside and occupancy inside, motorized windows that provide natural ventilation and light, and a specially-designed foundation that can radiate warmth or coolness depending on the weather. The building is also LEED Platinum certified. Constructing energy efficient, net zero energy buildings is a key goal in the university’s Climate Action & Adaptation Plan.

    3. Walter Pyramid

      Energy Efficient Lighting

      The energy efficiency program is CSULB’s longest running sustainability initiative. Since the mid 70’s the campus has made steady progress to improve energy efficiency and reduce campus utility costs from electricity and natural gas. One of the areas that has contributed the most to utility savings over the years is the conversion of inefficient lighting to energy saving LED lighting and the installation of occupancy sensors across campus. In 2018, CSULB was awarded the Higher Education Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Best Practice Award for a project that installed LED lighting in the Walter Pyramid. The LED lights use about 75% less energy than typical incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer.

    4. Parking Lots G6-9, E8

      On-Site Renewable Energy

      Multiple solar power systems on campus produce enough energy to meet 15% to 33% of the university’s peak electrical load. Energy from the solar panels located across campus feed into the main electricity grid to be used throughout campus.

      When the 4.75-megawatt cluster of panels in parking lots G6 – 9 and E8 began operating in September 2017, the system was the largest solar installation on any of the 23 CSU campuses and the largest in the city of Long Beach. Solar panels are also located on the top of several campus buildings: Corporation Yard, Brotman Hall, Vivian Engineering Center, Parkside North, and Hillside Commons. Increasing on-site generation and procurement of renewable energy is a priority of the university’s Climate Action & Adaptation Plan.

    5. Hydration Stations

      Support Of Zero Waste Efforts And Phasing Out Single Use Plastics

      In 2023, California State University’s systemwide Single-Use Plastics Policy went into full effect. Among other common and troublesome single-use plastics, the policy bans the sale and distribution of plastic water bottles on all 23 CSU campuses. Adherence to this policy here at CSULB is supported by nearly 200 hydration stations across campus that provide fresh, clean drinking water. The water is safe, filtered, free, and provides a convenient way for our campus community to stay hydrated while also reducing plastic pollution and waste.

    6. EV Charging Stations

      Zero Emissions Vehicle Infrastructure

      CSULB supports commuters using electric vehicles and other types of low emissions vehicles by providing 50 EV chargers and 37 clean air vehicle priority parking spaces on campus. Electric vehicle ownership in California is projected to increase significantly over the next few years in response to the state’s requirement that only zero emissions vehicle sales will be allowed in California by 2035. Because of this, the campus is looking for ways to increase access to electric vehicle charging.

    7. Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

      Natural Space & Cultural Resource

      The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a part of the College of Health and Human Services and provides an aesthetic and cultural resource and living laboratory for the campus and greater community. The Japanese Garden hosts cultural celebrations, educational workshops, community events, and diverse exhibits, providing a space to explore the ways that culture, art, and learning contribute to creating a community focused on wellness, inclusivity, and sustainability.

      One of these key events is the annual Green Generation Showcase, a celebration in honor of Earth Day each April. This event features a showcase of campus and community organizations involved in creating a more sustainable world as well as a display of sustainability-related student research and creative projects.

      The Garden also provides a space to escape the stresses of our urban environment and reconnect with nature by enjoying a stroll through the trees, feeding the koi fish, listening to the flowing water, or observing the various migratory and local birds who visit the garden.

    8. Puvungna

      Traditional Indigenous Lands

      CSULB recognizes that it is located on the traditional homelands of the Gabrieleño/Tongva and Acjachamen people and acknowledges the Gabrieleño/Tongva and Acjachamen as the original caretakers of this land. The campus works in good faith with local Native American tribes and communities to maintain and protect the remaining 22 acres of undeveloped land known as Puvungna, meaning “the gathering place.” Puvungna is recognized as an active Tongva/Acjachemen ceremonial site, a sacred space, the birthplace of a spiritual philosophy, and the place of origin for many Southern California Indian tribes.

      Puvungna is also incorporated into some courses, such as AIS 336: Indigenous Philosophies of Sustainability, to educate CSULB students about Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the worldviews and life experiences of native peoples.”

    9. Bioswales

      Storm Water Management and Pollution Prevention

      Preventing urban runoff during storms is important for helping to keep our local waterways and oceans clean and healthy. The campus supports proper storm water management in several ways, including through the integration of permeable pavement, filtration planters, and several bioswales into the landscape. A bioswale is a green infrastructure system and landscaping feature that helps to concentrate and convey storm water runoff while removing debris and pollution. As storms become more intense and unpredictable due to climate change, managing storm water effectively will become an even greater priority and solutions like these will play a key role in those efforts.

    10. Central Plant

      Efficient Building Operations Systems

      The central plant produces the chilled and hot water that is used to heat and cool the vast majority of the buildings on campus. Centralizing these heating and cooling operations provides an economy of scale that is much more efficient and reliable than having individual building-level systems.

      The chilled water system includes electric chillers and electric ice harvesting machines that feed the Ice Thermal Energy Storage System. The eight cooling towers, which are visible on the roof of the central plant, are used by the chillers and ice harvesters to cool the water. The heating system consists of natural gas fired water tube boilers. The university is making plans to convert the natural gas boilers to newer technologies such as heat recovery chillers, which are expected to reduce carbon emissions related to the central plant by 30%. By 2045, central plant emissions are projected to decline by 85%, as the power grid transitions to cleaner electricity sources and the campus implements newer, more efficient technology.

    11. Grow Beach Garden

      Hands-On Teaching and Learning Resource

      Originally established in 2014, Grow Beach Garden is a student-founded endeavor of Associated Students, Incorporated (ASI). This garden is a space for students and academic departments to learn the skills of cultivating organic food, and explore issues related to sustainable agriculture, soil health, food production, public health, and food security. In addition to being a space for teaching and learning, the Grow Beach Garden also supports the university’s Basic Needs initiatives by providing organic produce to the Beach Pantry.

    12. Drought Tolerant Landscaping

      Drought Tolerant Landscaping and Native Plants

      Landscape irrigation accounts for the largest share of the university’s water usage. Recognizing that California is a drought-prone state, CSULB is committed to conserving water as much as possible. As part of the Water Action Plan and Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, the campus converts nonfunctional (decorative) turf areas whenever possible to less water intensive plantings that are drought tolerant. Native plants, which are more resilient and adapted to drought conditions and help maintain the biodiversity of California, are also used in landscaping throughout campus. The majority of the landscaping on campus is also irrigated with recycled water, including all of the nearly 24 acres of athletics fields.

    13. South Campus Turnaround

      Campus Urban Forest

      The CSULB campus is home to an urban forest made up of nearly 7000 trees from a diverse mix of botanical species, contributing to our beautiful park-like atmosphere. Trees provide many benefits to our campus community and the environment, such as filtering harmful pollutants from the air, providing shade to people and buildings, sequestering carbon that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere, providing habitat for birds and other animal life, helping people feel connected to nature, and promoting a general sense of wellbeing.

      Maintaining the health of our existing trees and increasing shade by planting more trees are key strategies in the university’s Climate Action & Adaptation Plan, which aims to make the campus more resilient to the impacts of climate change.