The UC Irvine Environment Institute: Global Change, Energy, and Sustainable Resources was created in April 2008 as a new research institute dedicated to the study of interactions between the environment and society. The Institute enhances the already internationally recognized work in environmental and related studies now occurring across UC Irvine, beginning with support of on-campus research projects and recruitment of new faculty. The overall goals are to strengthen and link academic programs in environmental studies across Schools and Departments, develop a coherent image of the breadth and quality of ongoing research in the environment and related fields, and enhance the rise of UC Irvine as a leader in addressing the challenges of global change, energy, and sustainable resources. The Institute also encourages organizational efforts directed at improving sustainable practices on the UC Irvine campus.

An on-campus, inter-disciplinary grants program funds research partnerships that extend across Schools and Departments and that address the changing interactions between scientific research, technological innovation, and/or societal response. The Institute seeks additional resources and other opportunities to further enhance the interdisciplinary study of the environment, energy and natural resources through funded programs and facilities.

The Institute has been assigned eight faculty positions in collaboration with three Schools (School of Physical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, and Henry Samueli School of Engineering). The Institute works with all Schools at UC Irvine to develop additional faculty positions that can be affiliated with, and recruited in partnership with, the UC Irvine Environment Institute: Global Change, Energy, and Sustainable Resources.

The Institute maintains involvement with the extended community through sponsored public events, campus-wide seminars, and other opportunities for sharing information and promoting action.