Energy decarbonization and Sustainable industry
UN Sustainable Development Goals
As a leading research institution, the University of Calgary offers a diverse range of research programs coupled to a fully connected innovation ecosystem. We are a catalyst for discovery and understanding, invention and development of technologies and policies addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation, decarbonization of existing energy technologies, and advanced manufacturing capabilities to support transitions toward sustainable industry. Through research, education, and partnerships with start-ups and businesses, UCalgary looks beyond tomorrow to achieve local and global impact in sustainability.
Stephen Larter
Associate Vice-President, Research & Innovation
Energy for the Common Good
UCalgary’s new strategy aims to further advance research and training activities to promote transdisciplinary collaboration and energy transition, with a focus on ensuring sustainable, climate-appropriate, secure, accessible, and affordable energy services for society.
Research and Innovation
$3 million project funding to boost Geothermal energy research at UCalgary
The funding for the Energi Simulation Centre for Geothermal Systems Research goes towards the four-year project focusing on understanding and improving processes in capturing heat from geothermal energy systems.
UCalgary researchers develop first-of-its-kind device to combat climate change
Schulich School of Engineering has developed a highly sensitive sensor that detects methane at extremely low concentrations. This new tool is aimed at helping industry reduce GHG emissions that are contributing to climate change.
Schulich is at the forefront of developing the next generation of fuel cells.
Researchers at UCalgary are addressing climate change concerns head on and have made what they're calling a significant breakthrough toward creating higher-performance and lower-cost fuel cells to convert hydrogen into electricity.
Teaching, Learning and Student Experience
Sustainable Systems Engineering
With all eyes on a cleaner, healthier future, sustainable systems engineering is a technical, transdisciplinary field focusing on how to design, integrate, and manage complex systems over their life cycles, with a goal of environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
Hunter Hub Solutions Lab
The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, in partnership with the Office of Sustainability, presented the Hunter Hub Solutions Lab: Climate change solutions for Southern Alberta. This five-week challenge encouraged UCalgary undergraduate students to participate in developing innovative, sustainability focused solutions to a climate challenge being faced by communities across Southern Alberta.
CleanTech challenge to develop creative solutions to fight climate change
Students in the Faculty of Law and Schulich School of Engineering embraced this challenge recently as participants in the inaugural David Holub Interdisciplinary CleanTech Design Challenge, a one-day event that saw students collaborating to provide solutions to combating climate change.
Campus and Community Impact
Advancing Canadian-led innovations to strengthen the energy landscape
UCeed Energy is the latest example of the commitment that UCalgary, Innovate Calgary and other community partners have made to leverage research and innovation to help transform the energy landscape for a cleaner, more efficient energy future.
Green buildings support UCalgary's carbon-neutrality goal
With over 95% of UCalgary’s greenhouse gas emissions from building operations, retrofitting existing buildings and delivering low-carbon new construction is a key pathway to becoming a carbon-neutral campus. With a 39% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to date despite campus growth, UCalgary is well on its way, surpassing its 2025 interim goal of a 35% reduction in emissions.
Supporting Canada’s agriculture and agri-foods sectors
Housed at the School of Public Policy, the Simpson Centre focuses on the numerous social and economic factors that facilitate the success of Canadian agri-food and agri-business. Their mission is to strengthen and support Canada’s agriculture and agri-foods sectors through focused, evidence-based, practical policy analysis on trade, the environment, and innovation. Agriculture in Canada is a major driver of economic growth, and the Simpson Centre aims to make that happen, sustainably and responsibly.