Sustainability Scholars Program

This research project investigates the building energy consumption modelling assumptions laid-out in the City of Vancouver Energy Modelling Guidelines (EMG) and the BC Energy Step Code by calibrating these baseline assumptions using actual building energy consumption data. The key findings developed in this research study suggest improvements and recommendation on the current version of the City of Vancouver Energy Modelling Guidelines and the Zero Emissions Building Plan (ZEBP).

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: green buildings

An examination of current approaches to evaluating the inclusiveness of public spaces. Research has established that public spaces are beneficial for environmental and social sustainability, economic development, promoting positive health outcomes, building a sense of community and enhancing perceptions of social connectedness, welcomeness and safety. This work seeks to identify challenges and learn from existing public space practices to inform public space policies, programs, and projects.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: green transportation, healthy city, lighter footprint 

Wellbeing services on campus experience unsustainable demands from students seeking support for elevated levels of stress. This project aims to inform development of a campus-wide stress management strategy at UBC Okanagan. This objective was accomplished in three phases: 1. Explore resources on campus and within the literature; 2. Assess barriers and facilitators to accessing resources; and 3. Refine a biofeedback intervention to help students to self-regulate their stress response.

Partner: UBC-O School of Health and Exercise Sciences
Keywords: leadership & behaviour change, social sustainability

This project supports the physical and mental wellbeing of the student population at the UBC Okanagan campus. This will be achieved through the development of a physical activity referral program. Students with physical or mental health related concerns will be referred to the program by healthcare professionals and UBCO Health and Wellness. Students will receive physical activity-related mentorship from peers in the Human Kinetics program to increase their wellbeing.

Partner: UBC-O School of Health and Exercise Sciences
Keywords: leadership & behaviour change, physical activity, mental wellbeing

This project aims to improve and update the understanding of ground-level ozone science since the adoption of the latest Regional Ground-Level Ozone Strategy (RGLOS) in 2014. Includes recent relevant literature on ozone chemistry, meteorology, industrial processes, medical research, ecology, and best practices adopted by other jurisdictions. Builds upon the current RGLOS and addresses challenges the Canadian Lower Fraser Valley is facing to inform the anticipated RGLOS renewal in 2019/2020.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: sustainable development & green economy

This project aims to provide an overview of the challenges and opportunities for creating an online marketplace for salvaged construction and demolition materials in Metro Vancouver to help the region increase its diversion rate to 80% by 2020. The report includes suggestions for focusing on salvaged wood, supporting deconstruction within the region, actively managing the online marketplace, and providing a warehouse to store the salvaged material.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: supply chain management & green procurement, sustainable development & green economy, waste management & recycling

This report seeks to assist the UBC Human Resources Equity Inclusion working group and the UBC Equity & Inclusion Office to understand current, effective, and leading equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) human resources practices and approaches for the workplace. The aim of the report is to provide the HR Equity and Inclusion working group with information to support the development of a road-map that prioritizes EDI initiatives within HR and across UBC.  

Partner: UBC Human Resources
Keywords: leadership & behaviour change, human resources, employment equity, marginalization

A policy assessment to support the implementation of UBC's Green Building Action Plan with a focus on reduction of embodied carbon in building projects through whole-building lifecycle assessment (LCA). Research includes a review of policies, standards, regulations and available market tools related to LCAs. The results of this study will inform how embodied carbon is measured with the overall objective of reducing the environmental impact of building construction through improved organizational decision-making.

Partner: UBC Sustainability Initiative (Urban Innovation Research)
Keywords: green buildings, supply chain management & green procurement, sustainable development & green economy

This project reviews the research program at UBC's Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility (BRDF). The main research topics have been tar cracking, fuel quality, and emissions. In 2020, the BRDF will expand to include a 12 MWth boiler that produces thermal energy by combustion. Interviews with key UBC faculty and operators identified enablers and barriers for collaboration and for conducting applied research in an operating facility. 

Partner: UBC Sustainability Initiative (Urban Innovation Research)
Keywords: green buildings, bioenergy, campus as a living lab