Leveraging business solutions to catalyze a climate positive future
A dynamic hub of research, innovation, and collaboration to catalyze a new era of climate-conscious business practices. Our Centre is where sustainable ambition meets pragmatic action, ground-breaking ideas are transformed into tangible results, global leaders unite to shape a better tomorrow, and emerging talents discover purpose in advancing solutions for a climate-positive future.
Vision
We envision a world where business has facilitated a just transition to a climate-positive economy, wherein industry not only mitigates negative environmental impacts but also contributes to a net positive effect on the environment and society.
Our approach is built on three foundational pillars
Reduction
-
The Intention-Action Gap
Despite the increasing commitments to reduce emissions and achieve net-zero targets, businesses struggle to translate these pledges into concrete action due to various challenges such as resource constraints, talent gaps, and regulatory uncertainty.
Objective: We will empower businesses to understand their carbon footprints, develop robust climate action strategies, and decarbonize their operations to achieve a net-zero carbon target while mitigating negative environmental impacts.
Adaptation
-
The Urgent Reality
Climate change is not a future concern; it’s an immediate and escalating crisis already impacting businesses today. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, coupled with mounting regulatory pressures and shifting consumer preferences, underscores the necessity of implementing adaptation and risk mitigation strategies for resilience and sustained viability.
Objective: We will support businesses to proactively identify climate-related risks, implement adaptation strategies, and strengthen their resilience to ensure long-term sustainability in the face of climate change.
Regeneration
-
The Systems Change
There is an urgent need for a paradigm shift in how businesses relate to natural resources and the environment. The problem is compounded by the lack of comprehensive policies, guidelines, and incentives that encourage businesses to move beyond compliance towards a more holistic, regenerative approach.
Objective: We will lead the transition towards a regenerative economy by supporting businesses and policymakers to adopt new systems thinking and circular principles deeply rooted in Indigenous values and wisdom and redefine our relationship with natural resources and the environment.
The ultimate goal is not just to minimize negative impact but to introduce a new economic framework that enriches both human communities and the ecosystem we inhabit.
Here's how we'll get there
Collaborating with Industry for Climate Solutions through:
Teaching and Talent
The climate emergency demands an evolved workforce
Creating experiential learning opportunities for students and shaping the knowledge, skills, and mindsets of future talent and leaders in climate. Activities will involve the creation of educational content for credit and non-credit programs, student co-op positions and internships, and other hands-on learning opportunities across our three pillars, aimed at exposing students to experiences, job opportunities, and careers in climate and sustainability.
The climate emergency demands an evolved workforce
Creating experiential learning opportunities for students and shaping the knowledge, skills, and mindsets of future talent and leaders in climate. Activities will involve the creation of educational content for credit and non-credit programs, student co-op positions and internships, and other hands-on learning opportunities across our three pillars, aimed at exposing students to experiences, job opportunities, and careers in climate and sustainability.
Problem-Driven Research
Closing the gap between the current climate science and innovation with policymaking and business practice
Facilitating academic and applied research at the intersection of climate and business and implementing these research insights and innovations in the real world. Activities will involve the creation of research grants and post-doctoral fellowships with a particular focus on actively participating in problem-solving research projects that address current climate issues within the business landscape.
Financing the Global Shift to Electric Mobility, Jan Bena and Bo Bian
Climate Risk, population migration, and banks’ lending and deposit-taking activities by Han Yan
Shifting Consumer Behavior to Address Climate Change, David Hardisty and Katherine White
Impact Leaders
Accelerating Impactful Climate Solutions
Be part of our LinkedIn community
A space where sustainable ambition meets pragmatic action.
Follow our latest updates on LinkedIn.
A space where sustainable ambition meets pragmatic action.
Follow our latest updates on LinkedIn.
-
Got Questions?
We're Here to Help!
-
Kookai Chaimahawong
Executive Director, Centre for Climate & Business Solutions
climatecentre@sauder.ubc.ca