Sustainability Scholars Program

The project strives to develop an inventory of "large" buildings (over 25,000 sq. ft.) in Metro Vancouver. The inventory includes key building attributes, such as occupancy type, year built, gross floor area, etc. This inventory is pivotal for various actions in the Clean Air Plan (2021) and Climate 2050 Buildings Roadmap. The project contributes to emissions reductions by allowing targeted programs and policies based on the existing building stock.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Funder: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: green buildings, sustainable development & green economy  

This project aims to apply a climate justice lens to the goal of heat pump retrofits in UBC neighbourhoods. Includes original data collection and analysis about the community's experience dealing with extreme heat, as well as barriers that are preventing community members from accessing in-home cooling. Recommendations aim to refocus the conversation of heat pump retrofits on those who are most vulnerable to the impacts of extreme heat, and remove barriers to accessing in-home cooling. 

Partner: UBC
Funder: BC Hydro
Keywords: green buildings, leadership & behaviour change, sustainable development & green economy

Native plants are the cornerstone of life on land, providing enumerable ecosystem services that ensure human survival. But, what role do native plants have in a world where climate change and urbanization have drastically altered native environments. This report presents current peer-reviewed literature on the benefits of native plants in human-dominated landscapes; examines the role of native plants in environmental, cultural, and economic systems; and outlines areas for further research. 

Partner: World Wildlife Fund Canada
Funder: World Wildlife Fund Canada
Keywords: biodiversity, ecological systems, food systems  

This report reviews financial barriers to commercial zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs). The City of Vancouver aims to see 50% of all kilometers traveled be zero-emissions by 2030, and decarbonizing commercial vehicles remains a major challenge. Findings suggest governments can do more to increase positive awareness of larger ZEVs, as well as create innovative financial mechanisms to support small business uptake, such as program concierges, tax credits, and new types of loans.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Funder: City of Vancouver & UBC
Keywords: sustainable development & green economy, transportation, financial barriers

The objective of this project is to identify upcoming municipal and non-municipal climate-related initiatives for CityHive youth cohorts to focus on in the next 1 to 2 years. Project outcomes include two living inventories that highlight potential opportunities for youth engagement in the near future. These inventories are the result of comprehensive desk research and semi-structured interviews with staff from municipalities and non profit organizations in Metro Vancouver.

Partner: CityHive Youth Engagement Society
Funder: UBC
Keywords: leadership & behaviour change, youth engagement, opportunity windows

This project focuses on mitigating the environmental impact of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) marine infrastructures. It analyzes EPS applications, regulations, and current efforts, and aims to recommend sustainable alternatives and strategies for an EPS ban. Promising alternatives are identified through market research, while regulatory review stresses clear definitions. The purpose of this project is to support a targeted campaign to ban EPS in British Columbia through provincial and federal laws.

Partner: Surfrider Foundation Canada Chapters
Funder: UBC (Sitka Foundation)
Keywords: ecological systems, waste management & recycling, water  

This report turns the focus inwards on corporate operations and demonstrates how sustainability through business operations can be the key to a durable and long-lasting community. It summarizes promising practices in corporate sustainability into a framework of environmental, social, and economic pillars, and describes potential actions to increase municipal sustainability. It will be used to inform the development of a Corporate Sustainability Strategy for the Township of Langley.  

Partner: Township of Langley
Funder: Township of Langley
Keywords: leadership & behaviour change, corporate sustainability 

This project is based on an environmental scan of documents and frameworks related to Indigenous data sovereignty. This research also reviews current Indigenous data partnerships with a range of organizations and identifies some of the challenges and opportunities in a proposed data governance model.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Funder: City of Vancouver
Keywords: social sustainability, Indigenous communities 

This project aimed to bolster clean energy and climate resilience capacity in remote Indigenous communities. By understanding roles, documenting learning options, and identifying gaps it supports BC's CleanBC Remote Community Energy Strategy. This furthers decarbonization, economic growth, and reconciliation goals. The project informs the province's actions on education and skill development, and fostering sustainable, resilient communities in the face of climate challenges.

Partner: Province of BC
Funder: Province of BC
Keywords: social sustainability, sustainability in education, sustainable development & green economy