UVic prioritizing sustainability through a variety of initiatives

As we start off the new year, many universities will be taking the opportunity to review and revisit their strategic priorities. A perennial objective for many is to be more sustainable or reduce their carbon footprint.

The University of Victoria (UVic) is one such institution. According to the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, the university is ranked among the top one per cent of universities in the world for its contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) thanks to initiatives such as CIFAL Victoria, a training centre that was created in conjunction with the United Nations Institute of Training and Research (CIFAL stands for Centre International de Formation des Autorités/Acteurs Locaux, which is French for International Training Centres for Local Authorities and Local Actors). The main purpose of the centre is to develop and strengthen researchers’ ability to better respond to global challenges.  

President and vice-chancellor Kevin Hall highlighted the efforts of his institution at the United Nations Summit of the Future in New York City in September. His presentation underscored why UVic is prioritizing sustainability: higher education institutions have both the reach and the responsibility to prepare students to face global challenges.  

Why UVic prioritizes sustainability 

UVic’s location on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, surrounded by a unique ecosystem, fosters a strong culture of environmental respect that informs the university’s approach to sustainability.  

“There’s a shared ethos here,” said Nicole Bates-Eamer, associate director of CIFAL Victoria. “UVic’s commitment to respecting the lands, waters and community is deeply embedded in our programs and drives action across all faculties and departments.” 

The CIFAL Victoria centre is a key player in the institution’s sustainability mission. As one of the only two CIFAL centres in Canada (the other one is housed at York University), CIFAL Victoria provides training programs that connect UVic to the global network of CIFAL centres (there are 34 centres spread across the globe). Crystal Tremblay, CIFAL Victoria’s director, explained that the centre has reached over 1,400 participants this year through programs aimed at localizing and implementing the SDGs. Some of these goals include affordable and clean energy, gender equality, clean water and sanitation and poverty reduction. The training sessions are designed to meet specific needs in diverse communities, from UVic’s own campus to partner institutions in other countries. 

CIFAL Victoria’s initiatives are tailored to the specific needs of UVic’s surrounding communities. One notable program, “Community Fishers” equips Indigenous communities with the skills to monitor ocean ecosystems, preserving marine life while fostering community resilience.  

Dr. Tremblay noted that such training not only strengthens local sustainability practices but also deepens the relationship between UVic and the communities it serves. “CIFAL’s adaptable training programs allow us to work directly with local needs, making sustainability efforts both real and relevant,” she said.  

Dr. Bates-Eamer emphasized the importance of viewing education through a sustainability lens to address today’s interconnected challenges.  

“The challenges are enormous,” agreed Dr. Tremblay, “but there’s a real opportunity to rethink what it means to be a successful academic institution.”