Resource Library

This project introduces a brand-new concept called Universal Basic Access (UBA) developed to enhance access to essential services through transportation in alignment with the vision of Transport 2050, Metro Vancouver's Regional Transportation Strategy. The report includes a review of similar concepts and case study analysis and recommends ambitious goals and actionable steps to achieve UBA in the region by addressing major accessibility barriers and gaps in TransLink's 10-year priorities.

Partner: South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink)
Funder: TransLink
Keywords: equity, diversity, inclusion, social sustainability, transportation 

Road transportation is fundamental to society, yet it acounts for 40% of Vancouver's GHG emissions. This project aims to develop a framework to quantify carbon capture/reduction during the use and maintenance phase of sustainable street assets, including street trees, bike lanes, and green rainwater infrastructure (permeable pavement and rainwater tree trench). This work allows the City of Vancouver to track its progress within the street right of way in achieving 2050 net zero goals.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Funder: City of Vancouver & UBC 
Keywords: climate mitigation, green infrastructure, transportation 

Learn more about the intersection of climate wellbeing and STEM learning and research. This resource may be printed and shared on bulletin boards around campus. 

This project assesses different aspects of a building decarbonization plan for Musqueam First Nation public buildings, including capital costs, utility bills, and GHG emissions reduction potential. The budget impact will be determined based on upfront costs including equipment and installation, and the utility costs of using different heating, cooling, and water heating systems in the buildings. The decarbonization plan is focused on replacing the existing systems with heat pumps for space and water heating.

Partner: Musqueam Indian Band
Funder: BC Hydro
Keywords: climate adaptation, green buildings, low carbon buildings 

Whether you are seeking to make changes or updates to an existing program, develop a new program (including undergraduate or graduate degrees as well as certificates, diplomas and other non-credit learning opportunities), support is available.

This guide is designed to assist Faculty Curriculum Chairs and others involved in curriculum development. It outlines the steps necessary for the approval of a new and changed curriculum at UBC Vancouver.

The “Embodied Carbon of Buildings: International Policy Review” report is an overview of current global policies and technical resources to measure and reduce embodied carbon emissions from buildings and construction materials. 

This report was commissioned by Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd. to better understand the range of approaches taken by leading countries to addressing these embodied emissions and the strategies that could be implemented in Canada. The information is based on a review of leading policy and programs across 15 countries around the world.

• Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd. (funder)
• SCIUS Advisory (contributor - Helen Goodland from SCIUS reviewed the work)

• Nicole Balles, UBC Civil Engineering
• Simarjeet Nagpal, UBC School of Community and Regional Planning
• Mohini Singh, UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs
• Shiyao Zhu, UBC Faculty of Forestry

Keywords: embodied carbon, GHG emissions, policy

This report analyzes models, best practices, and common stumbling blocks for City-University partnerships on climate justice. It aims to inform the development of the CLimate Equity Action and Resilience (CLEAR) project, a new partnership in Vancouver, Canada.

Partner: UBC Sustainability Hub & UBC Learning Exchange
Funder: UBC (McConnell Foundation Grant)
Keywords: social sustainability, sustainable development & green economy  

The program allows for the formation of a learning community around a shared understanding of the ways in which climate change impacts us as a global community. Each week, participants are challenged with the hard questions around these topics and are able to bring both the ideas and innovative learning practices directly into their classrooms. Students are then able to see the global interconnectedness and understand complex concepts through comparative analysis of the effects, impacts, and resulting realities within their local communities.