The University of California, Merced, has been recognized by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) as having the most sustainable buildings in higher education.

The university took the top spot among 339 campuses in the 2019 Sustainable Campus Index — which recognizes top-performing colleges and universities overall and in 17 sustainability impact areas. 

The AASHE building criteria takes into account maintenance and operations of existing buildings as well as new building design and construction.

Five of top 10 universities with the most sustainable buildings are in California, the AASHE found.

Here are the 10 North American higher-education institutions rated by the AASHE as having the most sustainable buildings.