We are in the climate emergency together.
The climate emergency is here, and UBC is committed to bringing our community together to confront this crisis. We are mobilizing around the community’s urgent demand for climate justice and acting upon UBC’s Climate Emergency Declaration and Task Force Report.
Most importantly, we must recognize that tackling the climate emergency as a university is not one unit’s responsibility but requires collective responsibility and combined effort from the UBC community as a whole.
The Sustainability Hub is responsible for convening and coordinating people across UBC to make progress on the CETF report’s recommendations.
First Progress Report on the Climate Emergency at UBC
The first progress review on the climate emergency at UBC since the Board of Governors and Senates unanimously endorsed in principle the Climate Emergency Task Force (CETF) report in early 2021. The Sustainability Hub is responsible for convening and coordinating people across UBC to make progress on the report’s recommendations.
UBC’s 9 Strategic Priorities
The Climate Emergency Task Force (CETF) report was formed in 2020 based on community input and engagement with over 3,900 students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members. The 9 strategic priorities in the CETF report collectively highlight UBC’s mutually reinforcing roles as a leader, enabler, and partner in addressing the climate crisis.
Operationalize UBC’s commitments to climate justice: Support climate leadership and initiatives led by Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour
Demonstrate institutional leadership on climate justice
Establish mechanisms and processes that ensure Indigenous perspectives, communities, and worldviews shape the development and implementation of climate related initiatives and policies
Expand, strengthen and coordinate climate research at UBC
Foster a culture of engagement and advocacy on climate action
Support community wellbeing in the face of the climate crisis
Expand climate education opportunities and resources for the UBC community and broader public
Develop new and strengthen existing partnerships to tackle the climate emergency
Accelerate emissions reductions at UBCV and UBCO in response to the Climate Emergency: Climate Action Plan 2030
Events & Stories
Climate Emergency Fund Recipients Share Back: Sustainability Ambassadors Program
You may have seen around campus the Sustainability Ambassadors, a team of highly dedicated students who are working to educate UBC students about sustainability, encourage student engagement with sustainability, and connect sustainability groups on campus. Join us in this interview with Kshamta and Jack to learn more about the Sustainability Ambassador’s Program, how the Climate Emergency Fund (CEF) has helped the program grow, and hear advice from Jack on getting involved in sustainability leadership.
Climate Emergency Fund Recipients Share Back: UBC Climate Hub
The UBC Climate Hub is a student-led university-wide initiative that aims to connect and empower university and community stakeholders to take bold climate action for a just future. Join us in this Q and A with Meghan Wise and Lea Anderson from Climate Hub as they discuss the impact of the climate emergency on today’s youth and how wellbeing is more important now than ever before.
Moving from climate anxiety to hope at Climate Emergency Week 2023
Explore UBC student and staff perspectives on the climate emergency from this year’s Climate Emergency Week.
Take Action
Take the NEW Weaving Relations Course
Deepen your understanding of Indigenous histories, people, and contexts, as well as settler colonialism in Canada, through this new self-directed course developed jointly by the Faculty of Applied Science and the Faculty of Land and Food Systems.
Check out and share the Climate Wellbeing Resource Kit
There are countless climate crises happening globally this summer that many of you or people you know may be experiencing. Check out and share Climate Hub’s resource kit to connect with climate mental health and wellbeing resources, information, and strategies.
