Sustainability Action Fund announces fall 2025 recipients
The President's Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (PACES) is excited to provide funding for seven new campus sustainability projects in fall 2025 through the Sustainability Action Fund (SAF). Launched nearly a decade ago, SAF supports projects and initiatives that advance sustainability at Waterloo by connecting to our academic mission, improving operational practices, and/or fostering a culture of sustainability through campus engagement.
Fall 2025 projects:
Facilitating community climate leadership
Historically, there has been limited high-level coordination across sectors of the community on climate action. This project will support a 1-day workshop/event for senior leaders from across different sectors in Waterloo Region, with a goal to catalyze further climate action. This project is led by the Sustainability Office.
Grassroots KW
This student innovation project aims to increase accessibility of climate initiatives for youth in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. Through research-informed strategy, this project will build a community for youth climate action, particularly for those who care, but are not yet involved. This project is led by GrassrootsKW.
Moving forward: Mapping mobility for a more sustainable campus
This project will augment city datasets with AI-assisted, privacy-preserving traffic sensors and app-based micro-mobility tracking to measure pedestrian, cycling, e-scooter, and vehicle patterns, revealing opportunities to make campus transportation more sustainable overall. This project is led by the School of Planning.
Pyroneers
This student innovation funded project will turn invasive common buckthorn into biochar. The project will offer an opportunity to augment ecological restoration efforts in urban settings where invasive species persist. Additionally, this project will build workshops that can be given to high schools or university classes. This project is led by environmental engineering students.
QNC Bird-Window collision and monitoring
This project will install external anti bird-collision decals on the first and second floor windows of QNC, the area identified as the highest collision risk on campus. Birds are a necessary and vibrant part of a thriving ecosystem, and this project will prevent endangered migratory bird mortality. This project is led by the Department of English Language and Literature.
Wally
This student innovation project will pilot their mobile app “Wally” that helps users dispose of waste correctly using AI-powered item scanning and localized waste rules. The project will test the app’s usability, clarity, engagement, and scalability. This project is led by engineering students.
World Water Day & Workshop: Water sustainability for all
World Water Day 2026 will bring together students, faculty, staff, and community partners to explore the theme of sustainable water security for all through research, dialogue, and action. The event will strengthen teaching and learning connections to sustainability by featuring a keynote speaker who addresses water equity and challenges relevant to the UWaterloo community. This project is led by the Water Institute.
Since 2017, SAF has distributed over $1M in funding to more than 100 projects across campus. To learn more about the funding criteria, application details, and upcoming funding rounds, please visit the Sustainability Action Fund webpage.
Explore recently funded projects below or check out all past SAF projects using the Sustainability Action Fund tag on our news feed →
