Sustainability Scholars Program

This project examines recent risk assessments undertaken for local BC governments. The research anticipates upcoming Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA) regulations expected in late 2025, which will enforce new local government risk assessment requirements. The analysis explores the number of local governments that may need to undertake new or supplementary risk assessments, the capacity of the private sector to provide support, and the potential costs associated with this work.

Partner: Union of British Columbia Municipalities
Funder: Union of British Columbia Municipalities
Keywords: climate adaptation, climate resilience 

This project calls for urgent action to advance equitable and quality childcare, centring children with disabilities while benefiting all children and families. It underscores three pressing priorities: inclusive physical design, investment in the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) workforce training, and systemic reform with resources and policy support. Childcare is part of an ecosystem, and stronger collaboration across stakeholders is essential to build inclusive spaces that uphold every child's right to care and well-being.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Funder: City of Vancouver & UBC
Keywords: equity, diversity, inclusion, social sustainability, sustainability in education 

Energy-efficient design and retrofit measures are essential for reducing energy consumption and associated GHG emissions of new and existing civic facilities to meet the targets outlined in the City of Coquitlam's policy and plans. This research investigates key energy-efficient design and retrofit strategies for the City's civic facilities with a particular focus on fire halls.

Partner: City of Coquitlam
Funder: City of Coquitlam
Keywords: climate adaptation, green buildings, low carbon buildings, sustainable development & green economy 

This report analyzes the decoupling of economic growth and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Metro Vancouver’s building sector and the light-duty vehicle (LDV) transportation sector between 2010 and 2022. Using Tapio elasticity, the Log Mean Divisia Index (LMDI), and sector-level economic modeling, it finds strong decoupling in transportation (LDVs), with GDP increasing as carbon emissions declined, and weak decoupling in buildings, where emissions increased more slowly than economic output.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Funder: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: climate mitigation, green economy, transportation, decoupling, emissions intensity, carbon productivity

This report examines current practices and innovative approaches to inform updates to Metro Vancouver's 2016 regional park design standards and guidelines, ensuring that trail infrastructure meets evolving environmental conditions and diverse community needs. Based on document analysis, policy review, and staff interviews, this report offers several recommendations and 'quick starts' for more accessible, sustainable, and climate resilient park design.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Funder: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: climate resilience, equity, diversity, inclusion, green infrastructure, social sustainability 

This project supports the City of Port Moody in advancing mandatory energy benchmarking and disclosure for Part 3 buildings. By reviewing local policies, examining programs across Canada, and synthesizing academic literature, the research identifies challenges and best practices to guide policy design. The purpose is to help Port Moody reduce building emissions, improve energy efficiency, and align with broader climate goals through data-driven decision-making and increased transparency.

Partner: City of Port Moody  
Funder: BC Hydro
Keywords: climate mitigation, green buildings, low carbon buildings 

This project investigates opportunities for the reduction of non-energy greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Metro Vancouver's drinking water treatment and transmission systems. A jurisdictional scan identified four important domains with high carbon emissions potential. The findings emphasize that procurement choices based on environmental produce declarations and sourcing sustainable alternatives are key to achieving climate-resilience in water systems.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Funder: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: climate resilience, supply chain management & green procurement, sustainable development & green economy, water 

This project explores the environmental impacts of healthcare delivery by comparing life cycle emissions from in-person and virtual clinic visits. Using a life cycle assessment framework, it examines key emission sources like patient travel, facility energy use, and digital infrastructure. The goal is to identify the potential environmental benefits of virtual care models and inform sustainable decision-making in healthcare systems.

Partner: Providence Healthcare
Funder: Providence Healthcare
Keywords: climate resilience, climate mitigation, zero emission vehicles, other (separate each tag with a comma) Sustainable healthcare system

This project identified sustainable funding and collaboration models to support long-term maintenance of Green Rainwater Infrastructure (GRI) in Vancouver's parks and roadways. Drawing on case studies from Victoria, Seattle, and Pittsburgh it evaluated tools such as utility fees, workforce partnerships, and nonprofit collaborations. The goal was to inform City planning with strategies that maintain GRI performance while advancing climate resilience, equity, and community stewardship.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Funder: City of Vancouver & UBC
Keywords: biodiversity, climate adaptation, green infrastructure, waste management & recycling