The Climate Action Plan 2020 Update was created to define the actions UBC could take to achieve a 67 per cent GHG emissions reduction by 2020, below 2007 levels, and ultimately a 100% reduction by 2050.
UBC launched the Climate Action Plan 2020 Update to address the next phase of bold greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets and continue our climate leadership.
Overview
The Climate Action Plan 2020 Update was created to define the actions UBC could take to achieve a 67 per cent GHG emissions reduction by 2020, below 2007 levels, and ultimately a 100% reduction by 2050.
To meet the needs of the campus community, the Plan was developed between May 2015 and June 2016 through a two-phase consultation process. This Plan builds upon the success of the original Plan launched in 2010, highlighting the significant actions UBC took to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% and outlining a clear 5-year roadmap for UBC to continue this progress toward meeting the 2020 GHG reduction target of 67%.
Phases of Consultation
The Plan was developed through a two-phase consultation process, which began in the summer of 2015 by engaging key staff, researchers and external collaborators, and with a call for ideas and feedback to UBC researchers and the broader campus community of students, faculty, staff, residents and alumni.
In the first phase, both online and in-person opportunities were provided for the public to identify concerns and opportunities related to GHG reductions. The project team – consisting of key staff, researchers and external collaborators – held a series of four workshops that focused on behaviour change, UBC-owned fleet, energy supply options and energy use in buildings.
The second phase evaluated ideas from the first phase, and included a technical and feasibility analysis. Both online and in-person consultations took place once again, which included of six public open houses. Some of the feedback included support for the proposed option of expanding biomass capacity at the Bioenergy Research and Demonstration Facility, improvements on existing buildings, planning for sustainable transportation and education for behavioral change. Concerns for health, safety and costs were also expressed in the planning of these policies and actions.
Learn more about 2020 Climate Action Plan public consultations.
Next Steps
Based on the consultations feedback, expert recommendations and analysis, three out of the four action areas (emission reductions through behavior change, UBC-owned vehicles and buildings) were identified and will be implemented in the Plan. In collaboration with other UBC departments, Campus and Community Planning will take further analysis on the identified action areas and energy supply options to ensure recommendations are technically and economically feasible. Recommendations for final energy options will be proposed in Spring 2017 to the Board of Governors.