National Initiative Set to Integrate Climate Change Knowledge and Skills into Professional Degree Programs
Waterloo Climate Institute teams up with five departments at the University of Waterloo to accelerate climate change education efforts
A new groundbreaking project aimed at accelerating the integration of climate change adaptation knowledge and skills into professional degree programs across Canada is set to launch with close to $1 million in funding. This project, led by the Waterloo Climate Insitute, will draw on the university’s long history of climate education expertise to enhance the education of future professionals in fields such as Engineering, Accounting, Architecture, and Planning.
“Climate change impacts are already being felt in communities across the globe,” shares Sarah Burch, professor in the Faculty of Environment and executive director of the Waterloo Climate Institute. “Integrating the knowledge and skills needed to actively prepare for and adapt to climate change, these professionals will help to design, build, invest in and plan for more resilient communities.”
The primary goal of the project is to ensure that Canada's future professionals are well-equipped to act on climate change. By fostering a common understanding among professional schools and associations about the essential knowledge and skills required, the project ensures that graduates are ready to address the multifaceted challenges of climate change. This is not only vital for their professional success, but also to build the resilient communities we need.
Climate change impacts are already being felt in communities across the globe... Integrating the knowledge and skills needed to actively prepare for and adapt to climate change, these professionals will help to design, build, invest in and plan for more resilient communities.
Matt Borland, a continuing lecturer in Systems Design Engineering shares that “in Systems Design Engineering we see students consistently asking for more climate-related content in our courses. They understand that they have a responsibility to the future, but don't know how to live up to that. Our work is to give them the tools to become good ancestors to the future generations of all life on this planet.”
The project will increase the capacity of educational institutions and professional associations to develop and implement new climate change adaptation standards and competencies. To achieve this, the project will follow a three-pronged approach. Firstly, it will conduct a comprehensive national review of climate change adaptation knowledge needs within professional degree programs. Secondly, the project will design and incorporate new climate adaptation education into the University of Waterloo’s professional programs. Lastly, the project will establish a national forum to support other post-secondary institutions in integrating climate adaptation education into their programs, facilitating capacity building and information sharing.
“Architectural design is critical in making communities resilient to climate change,” explains Jane Hutton, a professor in the School of Architecture. “Whether adapting to flooding cities, designing for humanitarian housing and migration crises, or preserving threatened cultural heritage, Architecture graduates need new skills to take on the magnitude of technical, advocacy, and leadership challenges ahead.”
Blake Philips, Director of the School of Accounting and Finances goes on to share that, “this project underscores the importance of integrating climate change considerations into investments and accounting practices, ensuring future professionals are equipped to drive sustainable financial decisions that support climate resilience."
The project adopts a participatory approach, involving end-users in the co-creation of knowledge products. Faculty members, administrators, as well as professional associations including Canadian Institute of Planners, CPA Canada, Engineers Canada, Canadian Architectural Certification Board, and Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, will be actively engaged through the project to align with professional competencies, barriers, and opportunities. This collaborative effort will ensure that the new course material is relevant and effective.
Top row (L-R): Prof. Sarah Burch, Co-Principal Investigator, Canada Research Chair in Sustainability Governance and Innovation, Executive Director, Waterloo Climate Institute; Matt Borland, Continuing Lecturer in Systems Design Engineering; Jane Hutton, Professor in the School of Architecture. Bottom row (L-R): Blake Phillips, Director of the School of Accounting and Finance; Scott Walbridge, Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Scott Walbridge, chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering observes that “by advancing, not only current professional degree programs, but also professional associations’ skills gap, this project, over time will reshape how engineers approach infrastructure and design projects, incorporating best practices for adapting to the new reality of climate change.”
This announcement marks a significant step towards preparing Canada's future professionals to tackle the challenges posed by climate change. The Waterloo Climate Institute is engaged in ensuring that the educational systems are equipped to create a sustainable and resilient future.
This project is supported by Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Program.