TAKE URGENT ACTION TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS
SDG 13 aims to increase climate change resilience, adaptive capacity and mitigation efforts through integrated policies, education, institutional capacity building, and mobilizing funding for developing countries. The University of Waterloo is a leader in climate change research, education, and planning, and is committed to aligning campus practices toward carbon neutrality.
Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change
Based at the University of Waterloo, the Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change (IC3) provides a focal point for climate change research, training, and knowledge mobilization by contributing to advancements in climate change solutions worldwide. IC3 members share information and develop new ideas and tools while strengthening connections to community, government, and economic sectors across Canada and internationally through their climate change research.
Shift: Neutral Climate Action Plan
Shift: Neutral is the University of Waterloo’s climate action plan. Its goal is to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and the long-term plan maps out the changes needed achieve this, with short and medium-term goals to build momentum. Its roadmap includes efforts to improve energy efficiency, integrate low carbon energy sources, and mitigate indirect emissions.
Responsible Investment
Waterloo recognizes the impact that climate change and other sustainability issues could have on performance of its financial investments. As such, it has become a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment, the Investing to Address Climate Change Charter for Canadian Universities, and in 2021 made the commitment to reduce the carbon footprint of its endowment and pension investments; 50% by 2030 with an aspirational goal of carbon neutrality by 2040.
Master of Climate Change
Master of Climate Change is an interdisciplinary program in the Department of Geography & Environmental Management that is designed to advance training and expertise for the first generation of climate change professionals. Graduates of this program will be prepared to work in government, civil society, and local/international development on greenhouse gas emissions reduction, climate change adaptation and resilience, and societal transitions to a low carbon economy. Program alumni are now employed in a wide array of institutions helping to make progress on SDG 13 in Canada and abroad.
Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation
The Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation is an applied research centre with a national focus within the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo. The Intact Centre works with residents, communities, governments, and businesses to identify and reduce the impacts of extreme weather and climate change. To this end, the centre is an incubator of new adaptation ideas, conducting research and knowledge mobilization, and promoting initiatives aimed at de-risking the negative impacts of a changing climate and extreme weather, such as flooding, wildfires, and extreme heat.
Understanding Climate through Games
Illuminate and Energize are games designed to help community members and the public learn about climate change. Illuminate teaches about the impacts of climate change and explores ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and respond to climate risks. The Energize game is a resource designed for local community partners to think about climate change and energy planning in Waterloo Region.
