Climate, environmental change & sustainability
Human impacts on the environment have accelerated on a devastating scale. UVic researchers and artists integrate their broad areas of expertise into innovative solutions and transformative actions.
Climate and sustainability action plan
The University of Victoria is committed to global leadership in environmental, social and institutional sustainability. We meet this challenge through our Strategic Framework, research, academic programs, campus operations, and the impact and influence of our students, faculty, staff and alumni.
The Climate and Sustainability Action Plan (CSAP) is a new and unique approach to sustainability and climate action at UVic. This Strategy brings all campus portfolios, academics and curriculum, research and innovation, external, Indigenous, international relations, community and government relations, communications, finance and operations together, to guide UVic as we address and adapt to global challenges faced by all universities.
UVic is exceptionally well positioned to respond to climate change and the plan will offer ambitious, creative and integrated solutions.
IESVic: charting pathways to sustainable energy systems
Climate backgrounder
Institute for Integrated Energy Systems
UVic's Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic) is an international leader in research on sustainable energy solutions. Their work includes fuel cells, energy efficiency and alternative energy sources. They also engage in large-scale, long-term analysis of how policy and technology can work together.
Pacific Regional Institute for Marine Energy Discovery
The Pacific Regional Institute for Marine Energy Discovery (PRIMED) accelerates the development and adoption of marine renewable energy technologies, including wind, wave, and tidal solutions. They connect BC’s remote communities and the private sector to identify resources, assess candidate technology, and weigh the economics.
Credit: Jacques Sirois
Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions
Hosted and led by UVic, the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) develops innovative, evidence-based climate solutions knowledge. PICS brings together experts from academia, government, industry and wider society. Their work contributes to solutions for mitigating and adapting to climate change. Their activities span research, education, policy development and outreach.
Ocean Networks Canada
Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) is a UVic initiative that manages world-leading observatories in the deep ocean and coastal waters of Canada’s three coasts. Their observations contribute greatly to our understanding of our changing ocean. They study everything from earthquakes and tsunamis to deep sea biodiversity, whales, hydrothermal vents and the impact of climate change, including sea ice in the Arctic.
Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium
The Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium (PCIC) is a regional climate service centre. They provide practical information on the physical impacts of climate variability and change in the Pacific and Yukon Region of Canada. They collaborate with climate researchers and regional stakeholders to produce knowledge and tools in support of long-term planning.
Water and Climate Impacts Research Centre
UVic hosts Environment and Climate Change Canada's (ECCC) Water and Climate Impacts Research Centre (W-CIRC). W-CIRC is founded on the principle of enhancing collaboration between university researchers and ECCC. They conduct research on the impact of climate change on Canadian water resources, particularly in the Arctic.
Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis
UVic hosts Environment and Climate Change Canada's (ECCC) Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (CCCma). CCCma is a flagship, internationally recognized climate-modelling laboratory. Their work informs climate change adaption and mitigation in Canada and around the world.
Environmental Law Centre
The Environmental Law Centre (ELC) offers free legal services to community organizations, conservation groups and First Nations. They are an externally funded, non-profit society that operates Canada’s largest public interest environmental law clinic in partnership with UVic’s Faculty of Law.
POLIS Water Sustainability Project
The POLIS Water Sustainability Project is an action-based research group at UVic’s Centre for Global Studies. They develop cutting-edge research and share solutions, best practices and opportunities to generate change towards a sustainable and secure freshwater future.
Sustainable Energy Systems Integration & Transitions Group
The Sustainable Energy Systems Integration and Transitions (SESIT) Group at UVic develops and applies innovative modelling techniques to understand sustainable energy system transition.Featured stories
Delegation shares climate change displacement
Climate displacement is underway, and scientists are starting to learn about these realities from those experiencing this first-hand. A delegation of young Inuvialuit leaders from Tuktoyaktuk, NWT,...
Climate Disaster Project wins award
The University of Victoria’s Climate Disaster Project has been named the winner of a Special Recognition Citation at the 2023 National Newspaper Awards—Canada’s top journalism awards.
UVic reaches STARS Platinum sustainability rating
UVic has become one of only 14 post-secondary institutions in the world to reach a STARS Platinum sustainability rating. The ranking celebrates UVic’s holistic approach to sustainability and how...