A Community-Centred Approach
As climate change intensifies, the effects are increasingly felt within and across communities. New strategies are needed to adapt, decarbonize, and advance equity and overall community resilience and sustainability.
Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) critical research priority—community-centred climate innovation—leverages our capacities as a global leader to move the dial on climate action research in communities and sectors across Canada and beyond.
SFU Climate Innovation is deeply committed to inclusive research approaches, upholding Indigenous sciences, knowledges and rights, while advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all of our work.
Facilitate Interdisciplinary collaboration
SFU Climate Innovation facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration within and between adaptation, mitigation and sustainability research areas. We remove barriers to collaboration to encourage interdisciplinary climate action research opportunities.
Catalyze co-creation with Community Partners
Community is at the core of SFU Climate Innovation. We leverage our expertise and capacities, working with cross-sector community partners to co-develop climate change research-for-action.
Mobilize Knowledge and Scale Climate Innovation
Bridging the gap between communities, decision-makers and researchers, SFU Climate Innovation mobilizes knowledge, learnings, and best practices that accelerate scalable solutions.
Climate Solutions with Transformative Impact
SFU Climate Innovation builds upon the university's capacities and strengths to advance knowledge and evidence-based solutions that accelerate the transition toward low carbon, resilient and sustainable communities in Canada and around the world.
Advancing Canada's hydrogen strategy
SFU professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Electrochemical Materials Steve Holdcroft leads SFU's Hydrogen Hub. In partnership with government, associations and leading companies across Canada, the hub will dramatically lower the costs of clean hydrogen production, while co-developing technologies and products to decarbonize the Canadian economy and export around the world.
New models for transportation planning
SFU professor Vahid Hosseini leads the sustainable community-resilient alternative mobility (SCRAM) project, which aims to expand transportation options to reduce the amount of time people spend in cars. Working with the City of Burnaby, Translink and more, this SFU/UBC interdisciplinary collaboration is developing evidence-based research to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in communities, while also enhancing air quality, health, equity and resilience.
Co-developing Place-Based Climate Resilient Solutions
School of Public Policy professor Nancy Olewiler leads the Serving Rural & Remote Communities project. Partnering with the First Nations Housing and Infrastructure Council, BC Housing, and Technical Safety BC, this project empowers rural, remote and Indigenous communities to co-develop low carbon and resilient solutions for housing and safer technical equipment.
Nature-based Solutions as climate action
Executive director of SFU Climate Innovation and the ACT – Action on Climate Team, Alison Shaw leads the Natural Solutions Initiative (NSI). Working with partner communities such as Port Moody, Prince Rupert and Maple Ridge, interdisciplinary researchers are co-developing and implementing NbS that helps build biodiversity, equity, and community low carbon resilience.
Climate Action that Advances Sustainable Development Goals
SFU Climate Innovation builds on SFU's longstanding dedication to advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
The Times Higher Education 2023 Impact Rankings place SFU as the world's top university for its global impact on Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), fifth in the world for Climate Action (SDG 13), and fourth in Canada for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16).
SFU Climate Innovation is building upon and amplifying this reputation to promote relevant climate action research and innovations that support and advance low carbon, resilient and sustainable communities.
biotech
SFU Researchers
SFU researchers from all disciplines are invited to join the community-centred climate research priority.
As part of our network, researchers will have the opportunity to join activities and events, make connections, and work with collaborating partners to co-create high-impact research and innovation opportunties that benefit local communities and move global networks.
partner_exchange
Community and cross-sector partners
We invite community partners to work with us to co-create the research and evidence needed to move the dial on climate action.
High-impact climate action and innovation will require cross-sectoral partners from across all orders of government, First Nations, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and industry.
The personal information in this form is collected by the Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation, on behalf of SFU under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. This information is related directly to, and needed by, the University to link you with the appropriate expertise and resources at SFU. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information, please contact vprcomms@sfu.ca.