UBC leads as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers in 2021
For the tenth consecutive year, UBC is recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers in 2021. This special award recognizes Canadian employers that lead the nation in creating a culture of environmental awareness, developing exceptional sustainability initiatives, and – because of their environmental leadership – are attracting employees. Please visit the Focus on People website to […]
Fighting climate change: Moving from ideas to actions
In the decade that Dr. Janis Sarra has spent at the intersection of business law and climate change impacts, there is reason to be optimistic – at least in Canada. “There was a lot of misinformation about the impacts of climate change,” reflects Dr. Sarra, who was the Presidential Distinguished Professor at the University of […]
UBC 2030 competition attracts bold new student ideas
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, there is reason for continued hope. Among them the ideas and energy of young people who have been leading climate action movements. A competition organized by the UBC Sustainability Initiative drew more than 40 inspiring visions and solutions from students and student groups, centred on the theme: “What will sustainability at […]
Leveraging the Okanagan Charter to reflect on the crises of our times
On Dec. 9, 2020, speakers from UBC, the University of Waterloo and McGill gathered virtually for a conversation on the challenges post-secondary institutions face with regards to complex issues around health and wellbeing, including the implications surrounding the global COVID-19 pandemic, the climate emergency, and the renewed urgency to advance Indigenous peoples’ human rights and […]
Championing sustainability at UBC for twenty years
The Sustainability Coordinator Program provides staff, faculty and graduate students with opportunities to promote sustainably at UBC. The program is a great grassroots initiative that empowers its volunteer coordinators as they create sustainability practices tailored to the unique needs of their unit, from laboratories, office spaces, classrooms, and more. Since its origins in 1999, the […]
UBC recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers in 2020
For the ninth consecutive year, UBC is recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers in 2020. Some of the reasons why UBC is being recognized with this award include: UBC boasts a number of green firsts, including being the first Canadian university to adopt a sustainable development policy (and first to sign the International Sustainable […]
Climate emergency engagement: Virtual community dialogues May 21-June 30
As the situation around coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, the climate emergency engagement timeline has been extended to late June to allow for continued and robust engagement. There will be a series of virtual community dialogues, all hosted over Zoom. The climate emergency remains one of the most pressing issues of our time. At this […]
UBC research driving the future of clean transportation
Vehicles produce nearly a quarter of Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making them the country’s second-largest source of such emissions. The University of British Columbia is leading research efforts to make transportation cleaner, safer and more connected, using its unique campus as a living laboratory (Strategy 3: Thriving Communities). One example is an innovative UBC […]
The flow of water: From the mountains to the campus
Water is a crucial resource at UBC, for basic human needs and to support research and operations. The story of water at UBC’s Vancouver campus is complex, and rests in the hands of dedicated teams from across the VP Finance & Operations portfolio, including Energy & Water Services, Building Operations, Safety & Risk Services, and […]
Initiative encourages UBCO students to give back to the community
At least once a year, UBC Okanagan students join forces to mop floors, bake cookies or muck out horse stalls, among other tasks. The activities are all part of Days of Caring — held in partnership with the United Way — in which students spend their Reading Week volunteering with community organizations. Days of Caring […]