Sustainability Scholars Program

This project analyzes the City of Courtenay's development approvals, servicing standards, and tree-related bylaws to identify structural causes of servicing tree conflicts under development legislation. Using policy review, process mapping, and practitioner interviews, it evaluates gaps in electrical servicing coordination, tree data, and procedural timing. The work proposes modernization strategies, earlier inputs, clearer standards, and digital workflows to align urban forest protection with densification.

Partner: City of Courtenay
Funder: BC Hydro
Keywords: biodiversity, climate resilience, land use planning, sustainable development & green economy, electrical servicing

Resistance to the legally required Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) implementation in Canada's forestry sector persists. The extensive research for this project identifies and assesses FPIC implementation barriers in Alberta, British Columbia, and New Brunswick. Federal and provincial forestry laws, Aboriginal and treaty right laws, and international legal and voluntary commitments were reviewed to assess the need for a Canadian Centre for Social Excellence to advance FPIC implementation in forestry.

Partner: Earthworm Foundation
Funder: Earthworm Foundation
Keywords: Aboriginal and treaty rights, FPIC, forestry

This project developed an implementation guide for Power Efficient Design (PED) strategies to accelerate decarbonization of existing multi-unit residential buildings at UBC. It examines how space conditioning, domestic hot water systems, centralized ventilation, energy management, and energy storage can support electrification while managing peak electrical demand. The project also identifies Canadian Electrical Code barriers and proposes practical implementation pathways.

Partner: University of British Columbia
Funder: BC Hydro
Keywords: climate resilience, green buildings, low carbon buildings, sustainable development & green economy, building electrification

This project identifies updated or emerging climate-related language in BC's collective bargaining agreements to understand the current climate-aligned provisions that unions and employees count on for a just transition. This report highlights areas of success and possible bottlenecks in negotiations to issue recommendations to strengthen and improve green language, outlining potential next steps for future research, training tools, and curriculum development.

Partner: Zero Emissions Innovation Centre (ZEIC)
Funder: Zero Emissions Innovation Centre (ZEIC)
Keywords: climate adaptation, equity, diversity, inclusion, leadership & behaviour change, labour, green language, green work

This project identifies opportunities to convert aging local roads into ecological corridors, supporting Vancouver's climate emergency commitments and 11% road space reallocation target. Drawing on case studies from municipalities worldwide, it highlights effective approaches to reallocation. A mapping analysis of the City's internal datasets produced a recommended list of 17 local road candidates for transformation within the next 5 to 10 years.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Funder: City of Vancouver & UBC
Keywords: active transportation, climate resilience, ecological systems, green infrastructure 

This report synthesizes interviews and conducts an economic multiplier analysis to assess the feasibility and equity impact of Vancouver's Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) policy. The findings show that developers perceive ambiguity and financial risk, social enterprises seek stronger targets and access, and monitors cite procurement constraints. Recommendations call for clearer language, a clearer definition of "local," dedicated CBA coordinators, unbundled contracts, improved monitoring, and more incentives for developers.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Funder: City of Vancouver
Keywords: equity, diversity, inclusion, land use planning, social sustainability, sustainable development & green economy 

This study examines shared micromobility systems in cities with multiple operators to identify common challenges and the strategies used to address them. Drawing on literature reviews and outreach with micromobility experts through surveys and interviews, the findings provide lessons for the City of Vancouver. These insights inform practical steps to support the long-term viability and success of both the public bike share and the newly launched shared e-scooter system in Vancouver.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Funder: City of Vancouver & UBC
Keywords: active transportation, equity, diversity, inclusion, transportation, shared micromobility

Research for this project focused on the environmental impacts and sustainability practices in the design and construction of Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities in British Columbia. The results are based on a comprehensive literature review, interviews with sustainability experts, and a thematic analysis of the findings. The report highlights best practices, gaps, and proposed recommendations to improve LTC facility planning, integrate sustainable principles, and guide future research and development initiative.

Partner: Energy and Environmental Sustainability (EES) team (c/o Vancouver Coastal Health Authority)
Funder: Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
Keywords: low carbon buildings, sustainable development & green economy 

This project aims to improve living conditions and resilience to indoor heat in healthcare facilities. Through assessments and interventions, the findings will be used to develop practical, low-cost knowledge translation solutions. These solutions aim to empower healthcare workers, facility leaders, and communities to take informed action on heat-health challenges, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure continuous, safe, and effective delivery of care during extreme indoor heat events.

Partner: Providence Health Care Society
Funder: Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care & Providence Healthcare
Keywords: climate adaptation, climate resilience, green buildings