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Several University of Waterloo community members have been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for their significant contributions to Canada and beyond. This prestigious medal, granted to 30,000 individuals, recognizes excellence in education, public health, climate adaptation, Indigenous knowledge, and freshwater sustainability. Recipients include Dr. Vivek Goel, Dr. Blair Feltmate, Dr. Geoffrey T. Fong, Myeengun Henry, and Dr. Philippe Van Cappellen, all of whom have made lasting impacts in their respective fields.

The University of Waterloo has achieved its first Gold rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS). This milestone reflects Waterloo's commitment to environmental innovation and sustainable practices. The university has made significant strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water intensity, and continues to invest in sustainability initiatives, including energy efficiency and curriculum integration.

The Waterloo Climate Institute's Associate Directors, Monica Emelko, Juan Moreno-Cruz, and Francis Poulin, have significantly advanced the institute's mission over three years. They guided strategic initiatives in deep decarbonization, climate resilience, and climate science innovation. Juan led events on climate hope and geoengineering, and developed the climate change game, Illuminate. Monica enhanced climate risks and resilience research, securing major grants. Francis connected Mathematics research with climate action and contributed to a new graduate diploma. Their efforts fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, secured funding, and strengthened the institute's impact on climate challenges.

In honor of Black History Month, the University of Waterloo celebrates Black researchers making significant contributions across various fields. Despite being underrepresented, scholars like Dr. Trevor Charles, Dr. Tizazu Mekonnen, Dr. Naila Keleta-Mae, Dr. Yverick Pascal Rangom, and Dr. Leah Jones-Crank are driving innovation and fostering inclusion, impacting areas from microbial research to sustainable polymers and race studies.

The Waterloo Climate Institute is launching a $1 million project to integrate climate change adaptation knowledge into professional degree programs across Canada. By addressing educational gaps in fields like Engineering, Accounting, Architecture, and Planning, this initiative aims to prepare future professionals to tackle climate challenges and build resilient communities. Supported by Natural Resources Canada, the project will align curriculum with real-world needs through national reviews, new program development, and collaboration with professional associations.

A new project led by the Waterloo Climate Institute, supported by $300,000 from Natural Resources Canada, aims to build climate resilience in Canadian and international supply chains. By developing multi-hazard adaptation tools, engaging businesses and global partners, and creating training curricula, the initiative will enhance capacity to anticipate risks, plan for climate adaptation, and foster long-term sustainability.

Effective knowledge mobilization is essential for turning research into real-world solutions, and university centers and institutes play a pivotal role in making this happen. By fostering co-creation with end-users, nurturing long-term relationships with key stakeholders, and translating complex ideas into accessible formats, these hubs bridge the gap between academia and application. 

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.  

Researchers at the University of Waterloo are collaborating with Maple Ridge Acres to transform alpaca waste into a sustainable compost. By combining waste fiber, manure, and biochar, they aim to create a natural alternative to chemical soil amendments. This innovative approach not only improves soil health and nutrient content but also addresses waste management issues. The project is led by Waterloo Climate Institute member Dr. Maren Oelbermann and post-doctoral fellow Augustine Kwame Osei.

Researchers at the University of Waterloo are developing biodegradable plastics from food waste using bacteria. This innovative method produces eco-friendly plastics that degrade naturally and could be cheaper to manufacture. The team, including Waterloo Climate Institute member Dr. Trevor Charles and Dr. Tizazu Mekonnen, is working on cost-effective extraction techniques for large-scale production. These bioplastics have potential applications in food wrap, drug delivery, and tissue repair, supporting a circular economy by transforming waste into valuable resources. The study was recently published in ACS ES&T Engineering.