Leading the Charge: USC's Net Zero Pathway with Sustainable Innovation
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM · 1 hr. (US/Pacific)
Community-Scale Solutions
Information
Universities are more than just centers of learning; they are vibrant community hubs and are often leading the charge toward a greener future! As USC gears up to host the Olympics and while continuing to support its educational mission and medical research, the campus is proactively working towards achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.
This session will explore the essential components of a comprehensive sustainability and decarbonization program at scale. We will discuss how USC is delivering LEED Platinum and all-electric buildings, retrofitting lighting systems across 16 million square feet, developing onsite renewable energy sources, securing green power, conducting energy audits and retro-commissioning of existing buildings, and developing an infrastructure decarbonization plan for all gas heating assets.
Hear from USC's Chief Sustainability Officer, Campus Architect, and Director of Energy as they share their individual roles in advancing sustainability and how a collaborative approach can drive impactful change. You will learn about USC’s overarching sustainability framework, how sustainability leaders engage with university leadership, and strategies for prioritizing investments to maximize impact.
Discover how LEED Master Sites provide a blueprint for both new and existing buildings, how LEED Platinum projects set new standards for sustainable design, and how carbon-free heating systems in new buildings can significantly contribute to campus-wide decarbonization efforts. USC will also share insights from completed LED retrofits, solar projects, energy audits, and a decarbonization plan for the academic and health campuses, and over 30 independent buildings.
Join us for an inspiring session filled with actionable insights from Los Angeles sustainability leaders. Walk away with valuable lessons learned and a practical framework for implementing large-scale sustainability programs that can be adapted for other universities and corporate campuses. Through many small and large collective actions university campus can scale their efforts and make a meaningful impact on our environment!
This session will explore the essential components of a comprehensive sustainability and decarbonization program at scale. We will discuss how USC is delivering LEED Platinum and all-electric buildings, retrofitting lighting systems across 16 million square feet, developing onsite renewable energy sources, securing green power, conducting energy audits and retro-commissioning of existing buildings, and developing an infrastructure decarbonization plan for all gas heating assets.
Hear from USC's Chief Sustainability Officer, Campus Architect, and Director of Energy as they share their individual roles in advancing sustainability and how a collaborative approach can drive impactful change. You will learn about USC’s overarching sustainability framework, how sustainability leaders engage with university leadership, and strategies for prioritizing investments to maximize impact.
Discover how LEED Master Sites provide a blueprint for both new and existing buildings, how LEED Platinum projects set new standards for sustainable design, and how carbon-free heating systems in new buildings can significantly contribute to campus-wide decarbonization efforts. USC will also share insights from completed LED retrofits, solar projects, energy audits, and a decarbonization plan for the academic and health campuses, and over 30 independent buildings.
Join us for an inspiring session filled with actionable insights from Los Angeles sustainability leaders. Walk away with valuable lessons learned and a practical framework for implementing large-scale sustainability programs that can be adapted for other universities and corporate campuses. Through many small and large collective actions university campus can scale their efforts and make a meaningful impact on our environment!
Pass Type
Conference PassVolunteer PassStudent Pass
Location
403A
Program
Greenbuild
Track
Building Decarbonization
Learning Level
Advanced
Learning Objective 1
Learn how LEED Master Sites can provide a framework for campus development efforts and how LEED Certified buildings can drive sustainable design standards and scale jump larger campus decarbonization efforts.
Learning Objective 2
Learn how close collaboration between sustainability leaders, campus architects, and energy directors drives impactful changes and fosters a culture of sustainability.
Learning Objective 3
Walk away with an actionable framework and best practices for developing and scaling sustainability programs on university campuses: building standards, existing buildings optimization retrofits, renewable energy, electrification.
Learning Objective 4
Learn how to engage the campus community—students, faculty, and staff—in sustainability efforts, creating a culture of environmental stewardship and collective responsibility for achieving sustainability goals.
Continuing Education Credit Offered
AIA LU|HSWGBCI
Rating System
LEED v4 BD+CLEED v4.1 BD+C
Documents & Links
University of Southern California | Sustainability