Sustainability in research
The University of Victoria is consistently ranked in the top tier of Canada’s research-intensive universities. UVic researchers lead Canada and the world in addressing some of the most complex fields of inquiry facing society.
Our particular strengths include climate change, oceans, global change and sustainability. Our world-leading research programs include:
- VENUS and NEPTUNE Canada, two cabled undersea observatories that are reshaping how the world sees and understands ocean processes, climate and marine life.
- The Climate Modelling Group developed the comprehensive Earth System Climate Model, known internationally as the “UVic coupled model.”
- The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) hosted by UVic builds on the strengths of BC’s four research-intensive universities to develop climate change solutions and lead the way to the development of sound public policy and informed effective solutions.
Learn more about our various research initiatives by visiting the UVic Research website and check out the links below:
Research initiatives and centres
Some of the campus research institutes that emphasize sustainability include:
Centre for Co-operative and Community-based Economy
Centre for Forest Biology
Centre for Global Studies
Climate Modelling Group
Community Health Promotion Research
Environmental Law Centre
Innovation and Development Corporation
Integrated Energy Systems
NEPTUNE CANADA
Office of Community-Based Research
POLIS Project on Ecological Governance
Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium
Pacific Institute For Climate Solutions
VENUS
Water and Climate Impacts Research Centre
Community-based research
UVic's Office of Community Based Research facilitates collaborative community-university research and partnerships that enhance the quality of life and the economic, environmental and social well-being of communities.
UVic recently entered into a research agreement with the City of Victoria to establish a framework for collaboration on research of mutual interest including green mapping and sustainability.
Communities and community organizations wishing to partner with the university can download a community resource guide for more information.
Research spotlight
The University of Victoria is the proud to be the home of the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS).
PICS brings together internationally recognized scientists, engineers, economists, environmental and socio-behavioural researchers, policy analysts and governance experts from UVic and its partners at the University of BC, Simon Fraser University and the University of Northern BC. PICS pulls this intellectual capital together into a dynamic knowledge network that integrates multi-disciplinary approaches to climate change.
Amongst many other accomplishments so far, PICS researchers have produced a number of White Paper Reports for the Provincial Government
Adaptation Priorities: Climate Change Adaptation - Planning for BC
Alternative Energy: Alternative Energy Technologies for BC
Cap and Trade: A Cap and Trade System for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in BC: A Preliminary Evaluation of the Western Climate Initiative Design Proposal
Forestry: Carbon Sequestration in British Columbia's Forests and Management Options
Health: Climate Change and Health in BC
Sustainable Building Design: Buildings and Climate Solutions
Sustainable Communities: Infrastructure and Communities: The Path to Sustainable Communities
Transportation: An Integrated Approach to Transportation Policy in BC: Assessing Greenhouse Gas Reductions Opportunities in Freight Transportation
Follow us: 
