The Catalyst program offers three streams to get involved: Engage – participating at your own pace, Amplify – working with directed groups, and Lead – offering high level leadership.

streams

Engage

Sustainability Community of Learners

This is a low-level commitment opportunity to earn Sustainability Community of Learners accreditation by completing seven learning opportunities, community service, and submitting a reflection. Learning opportunities will be send out through canvas announcements throughout the year. However, if there is a workshop or event that you wish to attend outside UBC, it can also qualify. 

Details

Learning Objectives
  • Engage with aspects of sustainability including environmental integrity, economic vitality, and social equity through learning and discussions on climate, biodiversity, resilient communities, justice, and circular economy
  • Explore sustainability issues and solutions using an interdisciplinary approach that focuses on intersectionality
  • Articulate how sustainability relates to your lives as community members and individual students, and how your actions impact sustainability
Earn the Certificate
  • Attend 5 Sustainability workshops of your choice;
  • Attend 2 Sustainability events of your choice;
  • Complete 5 hours of community or volunteer service;
  • Submit a personal reflection on your experience exploring and engaging with sustainability through workshops, events, and volunteer work;
  • Submit a list and brief summary of 5 Explore Sustainability workshops and 2 events that you have attended; and
  • Submit a letter of support from the organization that sponsored your volunteer work.

*Note: the difference between workshops and events: workshops are opportunities that have a hands-on/ action component, not just a presentation. Events are the main category you will see when finding opportunities, including meetings or presentations which discuss a sustainability-related topic. 

 

Amplify

Sustainability Amplifier

This is a mid-level commitment opportunity to earn Sustainability Amplifier accreditation by supporting the planning and delivery of workshops and events for the broader community, while working collaboratively with key groups/units to advance sustainability and climate goals. If you are part of a sustainability-oriented group, you may be able to earn this accreditation.

Details

Learning Objectives
  • Develop sustainability competencies and skills to foster learning, equity, and mutual respect
  • Develop project management, event planning, and facilitation skills
  • Increase awareness of, and engagement in, sustainability and climate issues on and off campus
  • Involve participants from the Engage stream in sustainability and climate learning opportunities
Earn the Certificate
  • Complete 150 hours of sustainability and climate action work;
  • Submit a personal reflection on how you have developed competency fostering learning, equity, and mutual respect;
  • Submit a list and brief summary of activities demonstrating 150 hours of work planning, managing, and/or facilitating sustainability-related activities; and
  • Submit a letter of support from a colleague or organization.

 

Lead

Sustainability Leader

This is a high-level commitment opportunity to earn Sustainability Leader accreditation by building leadership competencies through support and facilitation of a team to develop and deliver content and facilitate dialogue on sustainability and climate community issues. If you are on the executive team of a student group, you may be able to earn this accreditation.

Details

Learning objectives
  • Develop core sustainability and leadership competencies (self-awareness, systems thinking, strategic application, interpersonal and collaboration, interdisciplinary integration)
  • Develop facilitation, project, and team management skills
  • Develop community building skills and a knowledge base to further goals of sustainability and climate action
  • Demonstrate impacts of your leadership in your community through qualitative or quantitative means
Earn the Certificate
  • Complete 300 hours of sustainability and climate action work;
  • Submit a personal reflection indicating how you have developed sustainability and leadership competencies (self-awareness, systems thinking, strategic application, interpersonal and collaboration, interdisciplinary integration);
  • Submit a list and brief summary of activities demonstrating 300 hours of facilitation, project management, team management, and community building; and
  • Submit a letter of support from a colleague or organization.

 

Requirements for your sustainability work to be eligible for submission: 

  • Any activities during your lifetime at UBC for any degree, or combination of degrees OR any activities within the last 5 years;
  • Any activities within a reasonable timeframe that they could contact a reference for the project as acquiring a letter of support is one of the requirements. 
  • Completion of each stream can occur whenever requirements are met (over 1+ years).
     

Earn Your Catalyst Badge 

Completing a Catalyst stream is your key to earning a digital badge. These badges demonstrate your involvement in a program recognized for its commitment to sustainable engagement and leadership.

Here's how you can earn your badge:



  • Choose Your Stream: Decide whether you'll Engage, Amplify, or Lead in sustainability efforts. Each stream offers a unique experience tailored to your interests and level of involvement. 
  • Complete Stream Requirements: Participate in workshops, activities, and projects aligned with your chosen stream.  
  • Submit Your Work: As you complete the requirements, submit your work in the modules section to demonstrate your commitment to the Catalyst program.
  • Showcase Your Badge: Once you successfully complete all requirements, and submit your modules, you'll be awarded the Catalyst Badge. You can share this badge on social media platforms like LinkedIn.  

Here's why the badge is valuable: 

  • Credibility and Trust: The Catalyst Badge showcases your expertise and commitment, enhancing your credibility on sustainability.


  • Recognition: Employers and educational institutions may recognize the badge as a sign of your dedication to sustainability leadership.


  • Competitive Edge: Stand out in a competitive job market by demonstrating your unique skills and accomplishments.


  • Networking: The badge attracts like-minded individuals and potential employers, fostering valuable connections in the sustainability field.


  • Professional Development: Highlight your ongoing commitment to learning and growth in the field of sustainability. 

“The program allowed me to combine all of my experiences in order to receive an accredited certification for me to share with potential employers and partners. As someone who has been involved with lots of environmental work across Canada since childhood, I have spread out a lot of my time across different initiatives. Many of these were youth run or done by myself, and this makes it hard for me to be recognized within each volunteer program or initiative. With the Catalyst program, I can decide at which pace I want to complete the certificate, and choose which initiatives I feel most passionate about. I like how I can put the certificate with confirmation on my Linkedin as well.”

– Eden Lee, Lead Stream