Calling UBC Faculty - Join the Future Canada Initiative!

Researchers discussing climate solutions
February 2, 2026

This is a pivotal moment in Canada’s history. 

We are facing geopolitical and economic pressures unlike anything since World War II. Climate change and extreme weather events continue to threaten homes, lives, and livelihoods. At the same time, much of the world is rapidly transitioning to clean energy, and we risk being left behind. Canada needs to chart a path to a low-carbon future to help slow climate change, to benefit from the clean energy revolution, and to reshape the economy.  

The Climate Solutions Research Collective is recruiting UBC faculty to join the new Future Canada initiative, in which teams of faculty and students will be producing a series of reports assessing national pathways to a prosperous low-carbon future across key sectors and activities.  

Areas of focus may include, but are not limited to: renewable electricity generation (solar, wind, batteries), electricity grid optimization, passenger vehicles, heavy duty vehicles, urban design, building heating and cooling, wood construction, energy services, low-carbon agricultural products, critical minerals and alternative bitumen products.  

As the work will draw on multiple disciplines and perspectives, including economic, environmental, equity, health and other considerations, faculty with expertise in diverse fields are encouraged to apply. 

Participating faculty must commit to serve as lead authors or contributing authors to the report(s), as well as contribute to student mentorship via the 2026-2027 Solutions Scholars Program.  

The initial scoping exercise by the faculty team will begin in April of this year, with a goal of submitting final reports by June, 2027. 

Join us in trying to shape Canada’s future!  

Brief expressions of interest from faculty who would like to participate can be sent to climate.collective@ubc.ca. There is no application form – we will respond to all who reach out. In your expression of interest, please indicate: 

  • your capacity to participate during the allotted time frame;  
  • the sectors or subject areas in which you would like to contribute;  
  • how the proposed sectors or subject areas fit within the scope of a low-carbon future for Canada. 

You can request access to the recording of our Q&A session here

Important Dates
Live Q&A Session (Zoom)Monday February 9, 4-5 pm  Past
Q&A Recording AvailableWednesday February 11Posted above
Deadline for Expression of InterestFriday February 27Send email expressing interest to climate.collective@ubc.ca 

 


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First Nations land acknowledegement

We acknowledge that UBC’s campuses are situated within the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh, and in the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation and their peoples.


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