California Establishes New Climate Institute with $38.2 Million, Announced at UC Irvine

California is investing $38.2 million to establish a multicampus University of California research institute dedicated to addressing climate change. The announcement was made Monday at UC Irvine’s Aldrich Park by California State Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris and Assemblymember Jackie Irwin.

The new institute is tasked with funding research designed to inform policymakers’ decisions and to lay the groundwork for startup businesses. These efforts aim to foster the growth of California’s economy. UC Irvine leaders, faculty members, and students from several schools were present to mark the start of this state-funded initiative.

Assemblymember Petrie-Norris, who represents California’s 73rd Assembly District including Irvine, spoke about recent climate impacts on the state. She cited wildfires and king tides that have led to flooding and coastal erosion, stating these events serve as "one more reminder that for all of us, the climate crisis is here, now and urgent." Petrie-Norris emphasized that the institute offers an opportunity for improved science and more informed policymaking. She added it would help seed new ideas and innovations to tackle the climate crisis while also positioning California for economic growth and prosperity.

Assemblymember Irwin, representing California’s 42nd Assembly District, shared that her constituents in areas like Malibu and Pacific Palisades have directly experienced the negative effects of climate change, including early 2025 wildfires. She noted that the new institute builds on the success of existing UC system programs, modeled after the UC Institute for Transportation Studies. This model ensures ongoing dialogue between researchers and the legislature to address pressing policy issues in Sacramento. Irwin explained that this framework will not only fund climate research but also ensure that research both informs and is informed by policy needs, supporting the research community and accelerating new clean technologies.

Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Hal Stern expressed gratitude on behalf of the University of California and UC Irvine for the state’s continued commitment. He thanked Assemblymembers Irwin and Petrie-Norris for their work, highlighting that the investment utilizes University of California expertise for the communities it serves. Stern noted that achieving California’s climate goals requires translating scientific research into new technologies and approaches, along with partnerships between the legislature and local businesses.

UC Irvine’s existing contributions to this effort were highlighted through the UC Irvine Climate Collaboration. Launched last year, this collaboration brings together researchers from across the campus and builds connections with government agencies, communities, nonprofit organizations, and industry partners. The initiative draws on multidisciplinary expertise to address California’s urgent climate resilience priorities, including threats from wildfires and flooding.

Brett Sanders, director of the UC Irvine Climate Collaboration and Chancellor’s Professor of civil and environmental engineering, detailed some of the work his organization has undertaken. These efforts include tackling complex problems such as wildfires, coastal erosion, urban flooding, and using parks and greenspace to improve regional air quality. Sanders affirmed that the state funding positions the university to lead in responding to complex and evolving climate challenges.

School of Physical Sciences Dean Seth Cohen provided further perspective, noting the state’s significant investment is essential for supporting research by faculty, postdocs, and students. He stressed the importance of this funding in a time when federal funding reliability has varied, enabling researchers to continue efforts to save coastlines and forests for the benefit of the state and global community.

The new UC Climate Institute will now begin its work, aiming to bridge scientific research with policy implementation and technological innovation across the University of California system, with UC Irvine playing a central role.