Sustainability Scholars Program

This report proposes a methodology  to facilitate informed decision making about the participation in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)-- management systems based on industry taking responsibility for the products they produce through their full life-cycle--to aid in negotiating fair compensation for participation. This model was conceived as a dynamic tool that can be used in different contexts, in bigger or smaller operations.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: zero waste, waste management & recycling

The University of British Columbia (UBC) wanted to create a legacy of real-time reporting for the International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN) conference. The goal of real-time reporting was to fully understand the sustainability footprint of the ISCN conference and to develop shareable tools to capture, measure and report on the environmental footprint and sense of wellbeing at the conference in real time.

Partner: UBC Sustainability
Keywords: sustainability in education, sustainable development & green economy

This report  provides a high-level introduction to community solar gardens, a concept that has proven effective in increasing the accessibility of solar energy in the United States. Best practices and policies from Canada and the US will be explored, including community engagement strategies, project plan, technology evaluation, design and development, and financing options available. This report will also provide an update on the status of the Urban Solar Garden project in New Westminster, British Columbia.

Partner: City of New Westminster
Keywords: sustainable development & green economy, green buildings

This paper explores how organizations can work to embed sustainability into their corporate culture by learning from the experiences of municipalities and businesses across Canada. The report outlines the best practices for how a municipality can embed sustainability into their corporate culture as well as highlights case studies that showcase local businesses’ sustainability practices and initiatives. 

Partner: Township of Langley
Keywords: leadership & behaviour change, sustainable development & green economy

Establishing building energy labelling for the multi-family building sector could provide an impetus for more energy efficient design and construction, and greater energy conservation in a building type that is becoming increasingly significant in the Lower Mainland, and across BC and Canada. This report outlines stakeholder perspectives regarding the value and feasibility of developing an energy label which would accurately reflect the energy performance of multi-family buildings.

Partner: UBC Sustainability & Engineering
Keywords: green buildings, sustainable development & green economy

Greening hospital pharmacies in the Lower Mainland Health Organizations equips pharmacists with a course of action to demonstrate their responsibility towards the environment by ensuring that their operational activities do not hamper the sustainability of the larger ecosystem while promoting the wellbeing of their patients. This report contributes to understanding the contexts of operations in a hospital pharmacy department so as to meet the needs of staff and ultimately improve environmental performance.

Partner: Fraser Health
Keyword: sustainable development & green economy, waste management & recycling

Many of Metro Vancouver’s Regional Parks have experienced jumps in visitor counts, indicating an opportunity to purposefully revamp existing amenities that help people enjoy and connect with the natural environment, while also being sensitive to important ecosystems in each park. This report provides a framework to guide the design and planning decisions for several Metro Vancouver Regional Parks to ensure that these sites are fully accessible where possible to those with motor disabilities, so all people have an opportunity to enjoy nature equally.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: ecological systems, social sustainability

This report explores the role of the construction renovation and demolition (CRD) sector as a key player in reducing consumption of natural resources and waste production. This report recommends decoupling economic growth from the consumption of finite natural resources by transitioning from a linear to a circular economy.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: green buildings, sustainable development & green economy, waste management & recycling

Metro Vancouver is currently performing condition assessments on gravity sewer mains using closed-circuit television (CCTV) inspections. Due to constraints including pipe access and flows, the condition of water mains, forcemains, and marine crossings cannot be easily assessed. This report outlines the condition assessment technologies suitable for Metro Vancouver’s Water Services and Liquid Waste Services linear assets.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: sustainable development & green economy, water, waste management & recycling