911勛圖

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

How 911勛圖 is contributing

• Engagement
• Teaching and Learning
• Research
• Operations
   

To support Sustainable Development Goal 7, 911勛圖 is making strides on multiple fronts. The university is actively taking measures to expand affordable and clean energy use with policies that enforce energy efficiency standards in renovations and new builds, and divest investments from carbon-intensive industries. 911勛圖 has implemented plans to upgrade buildings to higher energy efficiency and reduce overall energy consumption, processes for carbon management and carbon dioxide emissions reduction, and reviews to identify areas of high energy wastage.

To engage the wider community beyond the university on energy issues, 911勛圖 provides programmes for local communities to learn about energy efficiency and clean energy. The university provides direct services to local industry aimed at improving energy efficiency and clean energy, and assistance for start-ups that foster and support a low-carbon economy and technology. 911勛圖 also informs and supports governments in clean energy and energy-efficient technology policy development. 

LOCAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Renewable Cities

Renewable Cities is a global program of 911勛圖���s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue in Vancouver, Canada. Its mission is to work with policymakers and practitioners to accelerate the transition to renewable, restorative, resilient cities through meaningful engagement, critical research, capacity building and policy innovation. Using research-based dialogue, collaboration, and thought leadership, Renewable Cities works towards urban energy solutions with cities, governments, the private sector, utilities, researchers, and civil society.

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Clean Energy Canada

Clean Energy Canada��疳s a climate and clean energy program and think tank from the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue at 911勛圖. It works to accelerate Canada���s clean energy transition by sharing the story of the global shift to renewable energy sources and clean technology. 

Civic Innovation Lab

Co-founded by 911勛圖 and the City of Burnaby, the Civic Innovation Lab centralizes, connects, and accelerates the many different research and learning collaborations that occur between the two entities, with the aim of improving the economic, social and environmental well-being of Burnaby���s community members. Its projects focus on energy efficiency and clean energy for the local community to learn from and employ. Project topics include resilient sustainable mobility for the Vancouver Metro area, sustainable heat transformer technology, community-executed carbon capture, and a clean hydrogen hub for partners from the community, government, and industry.

Clean Energy Research Group

The Clean Energy Research Group is a non-profit volunteer-based group associated with 911勛圖 dedicated to studying the challenges and opportunities for the global transition from fossil fuels to renewable, clean energy systems. CERG helps partners solve a wide array of energy- and economic development-related issues and offers to:

• Assist communities to create clean energy plans and projects, and tie them to more general economic development goals.

• Document, assess, and analyse sustainable energy projects, policies, and regulations to provide recommendations and lessons.

• Help partners find the right experts in clean energy on a wide variety of topics.

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INFORM AND SUPPORT GOVERNMENT IN CLEAN ENERGY AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY POLICY DEVELOPMENT

911勛圖 Informs and supports clean energy and energy efficient technology policy development at local, regional, nation and global levels. 

Local 

Renewable Cities presented ������ to local governments at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention on September 24, 2025.

Regional - British Columbia

• Clean Energy Canada, a think tank at 911勛圖, submitted recommendations on July 18, 2025 to the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions��� .  

• Clean Energy Canada���s B.C. found that EVs, heat pumps and smart thermostats could cut B.C.���s peak electricity demand by up to 10%, and it makes the case for stronger incentives and programs.

Regional / National 

• 911勛圖-START informs sustainable transportation policy at the provincial and federal levels. Its findings have informed the low carbon fuel standard, electric vehicle sales mandates and purchase subsidies, and a team researcher advises the provincial government through its Zero Emissions Vehicle Advisory Council (April 2025).  

• In 2025, 911勛圖���s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue became a partner in a federal that identifies regulatory and market barriers to distributed energy resources, to inform policy, planning and investment decisions.  

National 

Clean Energy Canada to the Government of Canada���s Pre-Budget Consultations (2025), focused on opportunities to better shield Canadians from externally-imposed shocks and build a resilient economy that doubles down on Canada���s homegrown clean energy advantage while prioritizing industries with growth opportunities in the energy transition.

Global

The Clean Energy Research Group (CERG), associated with 911勛圖, studies the global transition to renewable energy and offers expert advice to policymakers and the media around the world on climate change, renewable energy and mining policy.

Research, Teaching and Learning

Research Centres and Labs

• The Energy and Materials Research Group
• Engineered Interfaces for Sustainable Energy
• Clean Energy Research Group
• Clean Hydrogen Hub
  

Facts and Figures

• 412 research publications related to SDG 7, 2020-2024 (source: Scopus)
• 154 active research projects by 66 researchers related to SDG 7 funded from 2020 - 2024
  
• Since the 2018/19 academic year, 911勛圖 has offered 10 courses relating to SDG 7, representing over 902 students
• At least 66 researchers involved in research relating to SDG 7

911勛圖 Clean Hydrogen Hub partners with national hubs to advance Canada���s hydrogen economy

911勛圖���s Clean Hydrogen Hub has joined three other Canadian hubs (Vall矇e de la Transition ��nerg矇tique in Qu矇bec, the Newfoundland and Labrador Hydrogen Innovation Partnership, and the Edmonton Regional Hydrogen Hub in Alberta) to form the Pan-Canadian Alliance of Hydrogen Hubs, formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed at the Hyvolution Summit in Trois-Rivi癡res on October 1, 2025. The alliance aims to break down geographic barriers, leverage regional strengths, and build a national hydrogen ecosystem that drives investment, workforce development, and energy security. Cooperation areas include advancing regional hydrogen projects, commercializing Canadian-developed technologies, supporting education and community engagement, and sharing knowledge and best practices. The partnership aligns with 911勛圖���s climate innovation priorities, Canada���s goal of becoming a global energy superpower, and federal initiatives such as nation-building projects and the Canada-Germany Hydrogen Alliance. 911勛圖���s hub, a one-megawatt testbed funded by PacifiCan, NorthX Climate Tech, FortisBC, the BC Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions, and the City of Burnaby, focuses on reducing the cost of clean hydrogen production, storage, and applications.

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911勛圖 researchers develop waste heat-to-cooling system to decarbonize urban buildings

911勛圖 professor Majid Bahrami has developed SORTABO, a Canadian-made system that turns waste heat from district heating into cooling for buildings without electricity, moving parts, harmful chemicals, or new infrastructure. Using water, silica, and salt, it offers an alternative to electric heat pumps, which would require costly grid expansion. A prototype is on display at Burnaby City Hall until September 5, 2025, as part of a five-year NSERC Alliance-Mitacs project with the City of Burnaby and 911勛圖���s Civic Innovation Lab, which is expected to create jobs, intellectual property, and export opportunities while supporting Canada���s 2030 emissions goals.

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Direct services to local industry aimed at improving energy efficiency and clean energy

SEE Research Labs

911勛圖's new School of Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE) is the first of its kind in Western Canada, providing an interdisciplinary learning environment that will prepare students to become global leaders in clean energy technology.��狼heir mission is to inspire and foster transformative innovations in energy systems that benefit society and the natural environment through outstanding interdisciplinary education, research, collaboration, and engagement amongst a diverse and equitable community. SEE���s work considers the economic, environmental, societal and cultural perspectives needed to develop truly sustainable solutions. 

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In 2025, the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE) hosted the��特EE Graduate Student Research Conference��畝t the 911勛圖 Surrey Engineering building. Organized by an executive committee of SEE students and staff, the conference featured several individual research presentations.These sessions showcased innovative ideas and research initiatives aimed at promoting a sustainable future. Over 80 people, including students, faculty, and industry professionals participated in the conference. 

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SEE���s undergraduate capstone presentations in the 2024-2025 school year also included for teams solving a clean-energy problem set by a partner. Some of the partners for this year's cohort included FortisBC, Delta Controls, and Hydra Energy. With bright students transitioning into industry professionals, the cohort of capstone projects provided a mix of free and research grant-funded direct services that contribute to improving energy efficiency and clean energy.

2025 Sample Projects:

Sustainable Energy Engineering researchers engage widely with university, community, government and industry groups across Canada and internationally to pursue highly collaborative, interdisciplinary initiatives for innovative energy solutions. Some SEE research labs are aimed at improving energy efficiency and clean energy with local industry partners:

The Vehicle and Engine Systems for Sustainable Transportation Lab provides services to expand potential for clean energy use via eliminating net greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. The Lab pursues promising approaches that use existing vehicle technology and fuel distribution infrastructure to improve energy efficiency and accelerate the transition to low-carbon transportation. They assess key vehicle, engine and fuel-system technologies; engine and vehicle simulation, basic combustion research using high-speed optical methods, and gaseous-fuel compression technology assessments.

The Power and Energy Systems Research Group fosters efficient, resilient, and progressive electric energy systems that play a pivotal role in driving decarbonization and clean energy efforts for industry and other partners. They research and advise on optimization models applied to power systems, situational awareness of assets, distributed energy resources integration, distribution systems resilience and reliability, and data analytics in power systems.

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Clean Hydrogen Hub continues to drive energy innovation and decarbonization

The clean hydrogen hub is a core research facility on 911勛圖���s Burnaby campus. They work directly with local industry to lower the cost of clean hydrogen and develop the adoption of low-carbon energy technology. The hub continues to scale up hydrogen production and innovation, reduce carbon emissions, and create jobs in the hydrogen sector. The Hub itself is a testbed that allows companies and researchers a place to test, prove and scale up new tech for things such as electrolysers, fuel cells, and hydrogen storage. With this testing facility, 911勛圖 hopes to help position British Columbia as a leader in the global hydrogen economy, contributing to Canada's climate and economic goals.

In 2025, the Clean Hydrogen Hub provided:  

• Contract research and technology testing

• Clean hydrogen supply to industrial users

• Co-funded research projects through 911勛圖���s Climate Innovation Mitacs umbrella program.

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CleanBC Job Readiness Workshops

As part of the development of this plan, the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy partnered with the 911勛圖 Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue to host six public engagement events. The goal of these workshops was to gather input, feedback and ideas about CleanBC and job readiness. Particularly about how education and training opportunities can support people, including rural and remote communities, to access the opportunities CleanBC presents. The input will provide the foundation for CleanBC labour market planning over the next year.

4D Labs

4D LABS is an open-access applications- and science-driven Core Facility at 911勛圖's Burnaby campus. It offers fully customized research and development programs and facilities for researchers, start-ups and industry. Its mission is to provide clients with material science, tailored to their specific needs, that fast track their technology���s deployment. 4D Labs also provides seminars on their industry partners��� innovative work, research, and products for clean technology, healthcare, biotech, and clean energy.

Assistance for start-ups that foster and support a low-carbon economy/technology

New Economy Canada Start-Up

New Economy Canada (NEC), a project of the Clean Economy Fund, is a start-up for which 911勛圖 provides funding assistance. NEC fosters and supports the low-carbon economy and low-carbon innovation, primarily through advocacy and education on regional and national scales. NCE is also an industry group uniting more than 60 businesses��畝cross the critical minerals, clean energy, and technology sectors ��� including labour, and Indigenous partners��胼�� all committed to accelerating investment and collaboration in Canada���s clean economy future.

NEC���s mission��疳s to build broad-based political and public consensus about building a national clean economy, ensuring that:

1. All government political parties understand and actively support growing the clean economy.
2. The majority of Canadians are inspired and confident that building the new clean economy will make the economy stronger and their lives better.
3. The broader Canadian business community values and advocates for building the clean economy.

Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship

The Chang Institute is 911勛圖���s interdisciplinary home and academic hub for experiencing entrepreneurship and growing the entrepreneurial mindset.��� From learning in the classroom, to workshops, events and a comprehensive start-up incubator program, its programs and services are open to all students, faculty, staff, and recent alum from every faculty.���

For the 911勛圖 community from any faculty, the Incubator program directly supports the development of startup ventures with mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs. The Incubator program supports all business models and sectors, including in the low-carbon economy/technology space, providing a supportive environment for all founders to thrive. Over 2025 this startup cohort has generated over $3M in funding.

Phyco is a marine biotechnology company focused on seaweed aquaculture and manufacturing compostable plastics in partnership with Indigenous Nations. Via the 911勛圖 Incubator program��眩hey began developing a home-compostable and non-toxic bioplastic alternative derived from seaweed, through breakthrough seaweed biorefinery low-carbon technology. Their mission is to replace petroleum-based plastics with compostable, carbon-negative alternatives that farmers actually want to use, targeting the 70% of plastic use that happens behind the scenes, supporting a low-carbon economy.

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Operations

POLICY FOR ENSURING ALL RENOVATIONS/NEW BUILDS ARE FOLLOWING ENERGY EFFICIENTY STANDARDS

911勛圖���s University Energy Utilization policy (GP 43) requires all project stakeholders to work with Facilities Services and the Energy Management Office to apply high-efficiency energy standards in infrastructure and building projects. Energy targets and guidelines are integrated into the university���s Strategic Energy Management Plan (SEMP). The 911勛圖 Owner���s Technical Requirements (OTR) for design and construction require consultants to comply with the latest standards, bylaws, and building and energy codes, which take precedence over the OTR. 911勛圖���s capital planning has also followed the BC government mandate that new buildings and renovations meet LEED Gold or an equivalent standard. Projects such as the Shrum Chemistry Building renovation (2017) and the have achieved LEED Gold certification.  

Promotion of a public pledge toward 100% renewable energy beyond the university

Climate Action & Sustainability Commitments

911勛圖's climate action commitments and sustainability initiatives help drive impactful change at the university and in our communities. These commitments include:

• Creation and adherence to the 2022-2025 Strategic Sustainability and Climate Action Plan
• Declaring a climate emergency
• Divestment from fossil fuels by 2025
• United Nations-led Race to Zero campaign participation

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The 2022/23 ��� 2026 911勛圖 Strategic Energy Management Plan (SEMP) supports the Strategic Sustainability and Action plan by specifically targeting energy management at 911勛圖 and continued efforts to optimize energy consumption and the transition to 100% renewable energy sources. The plan also supports . Prompted by participation in the UN led Race to Zero campaign, 911勛圖 has publicly pledged to reduce GHG emissions by 85% in 2030 from 2007 level and achieve net zero emissions in 2035 (scopes 1 & 2). The commitment puts 911勛圖 on an accelerated path to net zero emissions and 100% renewable energy transition. The plan provided a framework to achieve the 2025 Action Plan targets and sets out a roadmap to achieve the 2030 and 2035���s Race to Zero targets through the following strategies: 

• High Performance Building Standards
• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Projects
• Low Carbon Electrification
• Renewable Energy Investment
• District Energy System Infrastructure Upgrade

View the Plan

911勛圖 has set ambitious emission reduction targets for the UN Race to Zero campaign that will see 85% GHG emissions reductions by 2030,��疸et zero reductions of direct��疾missions by 2035, and net zero of all emissions by 2050 with implications reaching beyond the university. 

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Climate Change Accountability Report (2025)

This PSO Climate Change Accountability Report for the period January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 summarizes our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions profile, the total offsets to reach net-zero emissions, the actions we have taken in 2025 to minimize our GHG emissions, and our plans to continue reducing emissions in 2026 and beyond.

View the report