Sustainability

The University explores and exemplifies all aspects of economic, environmental, and social sustainability.

We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.
David Brower

UBC recognizes that to meet society’s needs without compromising those of future generations requires the best efforts of the brightest minds in every field—ecological, economic, and social.

Already a global sustainability leader, the University builds its international reputation by taking the lead at home: in Vancouver and the Okanagan, UBC links academic, research, and operational sustainability to become a living laboratory.

Prudent with financial resources and mindful of its mandate to society, UBC supports those initiatives that will ensure the long-term resilience of the University and its ability to serve for generations to come.

The University creates cost-neutral ways to include sustainability teaching and learning in and across all disciplines, and encourages students, staff, and faculty to carry daily sustainability practices out beyond the gates.

In class, in campus plans, in community development, and in partnerships both local and global, UBC exemplifies the hope that we can leave behind us a world worthy of our children.

Goal Ensure UBC’s economic sustainability by aligning resources with the University vision and deploying them in a sustainable and effective manner

Strengthen the strategic and financial planning culture at the faculty and unit level

• Implement a distributed-integrated staffing model in Finance (VPFRO)
• Implement senior financial strategic decision support in the Vancouver Provost Office (2012); implement new integrated financial support positions for Okanagan Senior Administration strategic budget planning (2012) (VPA, DVC)
• Establish a quarterly operating report; implement an academic leadership program with financial planning, management and accountability component at the Okanagan campus (VPFRO)

Provide a solid financial foundation for long-term success through continuous improvement and active revenue management

• Simplify financial management through accounting reforms, including the merger of selected unrestricted funds into one operating fund (VPFRO)
• Increase the summer use of each campus by 50% (VPFRO, VPA, DVC)
• Complete the “start an evolution” campaign (VPDAE)

Goal Make UBC a living laboratory in environmental and social sustainability by integrating research, learning, operations, and industrial and community partners

Demonstrate leading edge solutions by deploying innovative technologies and testing social acceptance; and by leveraging the municipal size of the campus and of University Town

• Complete the 6 “living laboratory” projects to meet 2015 climate change and research goals
  • CIRS (complete)
  • Steam to hot water
  • Building optimization (Pulse/Hydro)
  • Biomass Gasification (Nexterra)
  • Smart Energy System
  • UTown – district energy system (industrial thermal waste) (subject to Board approval) (VPA, VPFRO, VPRI)
• Develop a plan to meet Green House Gas emission reduction targets in absolute values (VPFRO, VPA, VPRI)

Make UBC an agent of change through innovation, integration, demonstration and inspiration

• Continue to invest in community engagement and social experimentation on and off campus (VPCCP)
• Implement and expand MOUs with the UNA, the City of Vancouver, BC Hydro, the NRC and the cooperation with various NGOs (VPFRO, VPCCP)

Goal Create a vibrant and sustainable community of faculty, staff, students and residents

Meet the social needs of faculty, staff and students, from local and affordable housing, to childcare and transportation

• Complete the Ponderosa Commons (2013) and the Brock Commons (2018) (VPFRO)
• Complete consultation and deliver draft Housing Action Plan for the Vancouver Campus in Summer 2012 (VPA, VPFRO)
• Expand the variety of childcare options on the Vancouver campus to provide up to 900 spaces and to reduce waitlists to approximately 12 months by 2015 (VPFRO, VPS, HR)
• Participate in long range planning on a rapid transit line to UBC in partnership with Translink and the City of Vancouver (2012) (VPFRO)
• Continue to ensure that over 50% of U-Town residents work or study at UBC (VPFRO)
• Decide on a possible U-Pass for staff and faculty at the Okanagan campus (2012/13; DVC)

Expand the vibrant, sustainable and affordable U-Town@UBC Community

• Implement the Wesbrook neighbourhood plan; conclude the Gage South (2012), Acadia (2013) and Stadium (2014) neighbourhood plans
• Continue a dialogue with the Musqueam nation on partnership opportunities
• Explore the feasibility of a District Energy system for South Campus (2012)
• Increase amenities and services (VPFRO):
  Vancouver Campus:
  • Add a variety of small shops and restaurants (2013)
  • Complete a new Aquatic Centre (2013) (after community consultation and subject to Board approval)
  • Open a secondary school (2012)

  Okanagan Campus:

  • Open a new community centre (2013)
  • Expand intramural program

Physically deliver “Place of Mind” throughout the Okanagan and Vancouver campuses by weaving outstanding academic and cultural infrastructure into an inviting and inspiring public realm

• Complete Infrastructure improvements (VPFRO)
  Vancouver Campus:
  • Earth Sciences Building (2012)
  • Pharmacy (2012)
  • Centre for Brain Health (2013)

  Okanagan Campus:

  • Gym Expansion (2013)
• Complete implementation of the public realm plans at the Okanagan and Vancouver Campuses (2013) (VPFRO, DVC)
• Renew the Bookstore concept to improve convenience and expand services (2013) (VPFRO)
• Redesign the Gage South neighbourhood after public consultation (2012) (VPFRO)