Climate Emergency

The climate emergency is one of the most pressing issues of our time. At this pivotal moment, the decisions and actions we take today will reverberate beyond our own borders and lifetimes.

The UBC climate emergency engagement process, undertaken by the Climate Emergency Task Force (CETF), is now complete. The CETF report has been submitted to the UBC Board of Governors Sustainability Committee.

We are grateful to all members of the UBC community who took part in the engagement activities, whether through taking a survey, visiting a pop-up information booth, attending the Climate Forum or contributing to meaningful virtual dialogues. Over 3,900 people shared their perspectives on actions UBC could take to address the climate emergency.

Report highlights

The CETF report identifies nine priority areas that span community, academic (teaching, learning and research) and operational dimensions of the university. Download (PDF) the report for complete recommendations.  

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 UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan in response to the Climate Emergency: Climate Action Plan 2030

UBC is committed to climate justice, reconciliation and anti-racism and many synergies exist between implementation of the CETF recommendations and the goals and actions of initiatives that are underway at UBC.

The work of the task force, and the production of the report, has already had significant impact on the university. The engagement process has accelerated activities related to the Climate Action Plan, divestment, spawned further investment into related learning and research activities and helped to educate the community on the impact of climate change on systemically marginalized groups.

Climate Emergency Task Force Report

Download the full report that outlines the engagement process, nine priority areas and 28 recommendations that span community, academic (teaching, learning and research) and operational dimensions of the university.

Download the report (PDF)

Get informed

The UBC Climate Hub has compiled information from a variety of sources regarding the multi-faceted aspects of the climate emergency and global climate crisis.

Read more