By Elanor Waslander, Waterloo Climate Institute
As we step into 2025, the Waterloo Climate Institute reflects on a year of meaningful achievements that have advanced climate action through research, collaboration, and education. These milestones were made possible by the collective efforts of world-class research members, dedicated partners, and an engaged community. With the University of Waterloo’s unparalleled network of climate experts—the highest concentration of climate researchers at any Canadian university—2024 has been a year of progress and impact.
1. Advancing Climate Education Through New Grants
This year, the Climate Institute secured $1.6 million in new grants to launch multi-year projects that will shape the next generation of climate leaders. One initiative integrates climate change knowledge into professional degree programs in Engineering, Architecture, Accounting, and Planning, ensuring students are equipped to tackle climate challenges in their future careers. As part of this project, the institute launched a new community of practice for climate change pedagogy, with the first event that included our local neighbours Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College. Another new initiative secured funding to design and initiate new lifelong learning programs for Canada’s municipal sector, helping local governments adapt and lead in the face of a changing climate.
2. Supporting Public Health Through Climate Adaptation
Collaborating with Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) in 2024 resulted in an innovative approach to co-creating a climate and health vulnerability assessment for this region of southern Ontario. The assessment addresses critical issues, including extreme heat, flooding, psychosocial impacts, and changing disease patterns due to climate change. In addition, the second phase of this project invited University of Waterloo students to participate in a pitch competition to design a community cooling space to support a broader strategy to address extreme heat. By providing actionable insights and tapping into UWaterloo’s talent, the Institute is helping communities develop and implement effective climate adaptation strategies to protect public health and well-being in a changing climate.
3. Mobilizing Knowledge for Greater Impact
The launch of the Institute’s new knowledge mobilization program marked a turning point in making climate research more accessible and impactful. This program supported the development of several faculty-led policy briefs, data visualizations, and databases that received widespread attention from the media, policymakers, and sector leaders. Notably, these contributions led to invitations for Climate Institute researchers to present at Parliamentary committees, underscoring the importance of evidence-based climate policy in Canada.
4. Building Climate Hope and Student Engagement
In 2024, the Climate Institute strengthened student engagement across all six faculties with the Student Climate Action Program and the Student Climate Council. The program—centered on Learn, Connect, Act—offered students multiple training events and networking opportunities with award winning author Chris Turner, as well as Elder Myeengun Henry and Dr. Kelsey Leonard. The first Climate Convention for students was hosted, a campus-wide conference showcasing the diverse contributions of Waterloo students to climate research and action. Over the course of the year, the program engaged hundreds of students in discussions on climate optimism and action on campus.
5. Strengthening Climate-Resilient Supply Chains
In collaboration with partners across business supply chains, the Climate Institute received a major grant from the Canadian government to develop tools and strategies for climate-resilient supply chains. This ambitious project brings together key players, including the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, international trade facilitation organizations, and large Canadian companies, to ensure that supply chains can withstand domestic and global climate disruptions. By bridging research, policy, and industry needs, this initiative highlights the Institute’s role in realizing actionable climate solutions.
Looking Ahead to 2025
These accomplishments reflect the power of collaboration—across disciplines, institutions, and sectors. By mobilizing world-class research, fostering strong networks, and empowering students and communities, the Waterloo Climate Institute continues to bring people together to advance climate solutions.
As we look to 2025, we are energized by the progress made and inspired to continue working together to address the most pressing challenges of our time. Thank you to our researchers, students, partners, and supporters for being part of this journey.
Here’s to another impactful year!