UBC buildings create an exceptional environment that provide sustainable, healthy places for teaching, learning and research, and places to socialize, live and play. Our Vancouver campus Green Building Action Plan commits us to the vision that by 2035, UBC buildings will make net positive contributions to human and natural systems. While in the Okanagan our Whole Systems Infrastructure Plan supports greater energy efficiency, low carbon district energy system expansion, and climate adaptive design guidelines.

Green Buildings on Vancouver Campus
Green Buildings on Okanagan Campus

23
NEW LEED CERTIFIED BUILDINGS (VANCOUVER)

41%
OF TOTAL FLOOR SPACE OCCUPIED BY GREEN BUILDINGS (VANCOUVER)

95%
OF INSTITUTIONAL BUILDINGS BY M2 CONNECTED TO DISTRICT ENERGY SYSTEM (OKANAGAN)

28%
REDUCTION IN TOTAL ENERGY PER FTE SINCE 2013 (OKANAGAN)

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

UBC VANCOUVER 

Green Building Action Plan, 23 new LEED buildings | Ongoing work to implement the Green Building Action Plan included the development of 23 new LEED certified institutional buildings. These buildings contribute towards a vibrant and sustainable campus that supports the academic mission.

UBC’s REAP update process for residences​ | UBC’s Residential Environmental Assessment Program (REAP) is going through a major structural shift to better align with UBC’s climate and sustainability priorities.

In fall 2020, UBC will launch a new Neighbourhood Low Carbon Strategy that will develop an integrated approach with REAP to reducing neighbourhood emissions.

Three new student residences achieve LEED gold certification | Three student housing and community services residence buildings achieved LEED gold certification in 2019, adding to a portfolio of residence buildings that have committed to exemplary community and sustainable design.

SEEDS research explores innovations in retrofits​ | This year 23 students engaged in SEEDS research to support the implementation of UBC’s Green Building Action Plan. In one example, a group explored detailed end-use breakdowns for building energy uses, and integrating dualopportunity retrofit solutions.

UBC OKANAGAN 

Skeena Residence on track to become UBC’s first passive house | Targeting completion in 2020, the Skeena Residence will provide 220 student resident units, including lounges, informal study spaces, activity room and laundry facilities. The project is targeting Passive House (Classic) certification, an internationally recognized energy standard characterized by a highly efficient building envelope and heat recovery ventilation system.

Nechako Student Residence and Commons Building targets LEED gold​ | Designed to achieve LEED Gold certification upon its completion in 2021, this mixed-use ‘hub’ will combine 220-student resident housing units with 24-hour services and amenities and a 500-seat dining hall. Social shared spaces integrated into the building’s design will offer students with many opportunities for social engagement. The facility will be connected to the campus’ district energy system, which provides low carbon energy supply.

Nechako: Student Residence and Commons Building Designed to become the campus’ 4th LEED Gold certified building, this mixed-use facility will add 220 student resident units, a 500-seat dining hall, and 24-hour access to quiet study space and social amenities. 

Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Innovation Building​ | UBC Okanagan initiated the design of an Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Innovation facility in 2020. Targeting LEED Gold certification, this academic facility will be designed to foster interdisciplinary knowledge, support collaborative, team-based learning and innovative approaches to teaching.