Project Library

A lack of local Energy Advisors (EAs) is one of the main barriers to adopting the Energy Step Code in smaller and remote communities in BC. This project explores and analyzes local EA capacity, context, and gaps in rural and northern communities in BC. Recommendations include strengthening outreach activities, designing targeted incentive programs, and facilitating and subsidizing EA training for building officials and others in the building industry.  

Partner: Community Energy Association
Keywords: green buildings

This project aims to inform how Whistler is delivering on its sustainability goals, provides the foundation for ongoing energy management and climate mitigation efforts, and focuses efforts where the most impact can be achieved. The project included annual corporate and community GHG and energy datasets, the annual CARIP survey and an annual GHG and energy inventory report. The report summarizes Whistler's 2019 GHG emissions and energy consumption and contains a quarterly update of Whistler's Community Energy and Climate Action Plan.

Partner: Resort Municipality of Whistler
Keywords: greenhouse gas emissions

This project aims to improve secondary disinfection (drinking water re-chlorination) practices to ensure high drinking water quality throughout Metro Vancouver and optimize resource use in the disinfection process. The report includes an analysis of historical drinking water quality trends, identification of areas potentially vulnerable to water quality decline, and suggestions for improving current re-chlorination practices in the context of resource management and potential future trends in water quality.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: water

This project aims to inform and support visitor use management planning for Metro Vancouver Regional Parks in order to sustainably manage park visitors, visitor experiences and natural and cultural resources. The report discusses methodologies used for measuring and establishing carrying capacity of parks and a set of case studies highlighting best practices, informed by conversations with park managers and planners in the country and beyond, and on a review of relevant scientific literature.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: ecological systems, social sustainability, sustainable development & green economy

The literature and practices to do with green infrastructure (GI) and source control (SC) measures are continuously evolving. This project reviews the information gaps and new research and guidance on the six source control measures noted in the Metro Vancouver's Stormwater Source Control Design Guidelines (SSCDG) and sheds light on emerging source controls identified through a reviow of the literature review and local site visits.
 

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: green buildings, water, urban sustainability

The goal of this project is to identify potential significant dischargers within Metro Vancouver that could impact sewerage area infrastructure and/or the environment. A database of businesses was created based on discharge risk potential for parameters of interest. This database will facilitate investigation of unusual events and aid enforcement efforts by highlighting potential dischargers that may be required to have a waste discharge permit.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: waste management & recycling, water 

This project evaluates the long-term impacts of the Healthy Workplace Initiatives Program (HWIP) and the sustainability of the wellbeing initiatives it funds in UBC departments and units. It includes insights on facilitators and barriers to sustaining initiatives beyond the HWIP funding period, best practices for sustained impact, and recommendations for better supporting the embedding of wellbeing in UBC workplaces. Twelve case studies illustrate innovative approaches to workplace wellbeing.

Partner: UBC Human Resources, Health, Wellbeing, and Benefits
Keywords: leadership & behaviour change, social sustainability

Thrive is a Mental Health Literacy campaign for the UBC community. The objectives of the research were to explore the needs and expectations of the UBC community with regards to mental health promotion in the context of COVID-19 and beyond. It includes recommendations for how Thrive can support the promotion of mental health and communication of mental health literacy information.  

Partner: UBC Wellbeing
Keywords: social sustainability

This research explains how First Nations in B.C. envision culturally-appropriate and energy-efficient homes and buildings, the role that building standards play in the development of new construction, and barriers and successes First Nations are experiencing implementing new construction projects. The report also includes nine recommendations for how the Province can support the development, modification, and implementation of culturally-appropriate and energy-efficient new construction.

Partner: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Keywords: green buildings, indigenous housing, culturally-appropriate design