By 2030, achieve a 45% reduction in commuting emissions from 2010 levels.
Commuting by students, faculty and staff to the Vancouver campus is the highest extended impact emissions category accounting for nearly the same GHG emissions of buildings and energy supply combined. UBC has been very successful at increasing the transit mode share from 18% in 1997 to 54% in 2019 as a result of the introduction of the U-Pass program for students in 2003. However, substantial growth in the transit mode share is constrained until there is a rapid transit connection to UBC, which isn’t anticipated until around 2030.
This risks an increase to the single occupant vehicle mode share above the current 32% and therefore an increase in commuting emissions and public health impacts. There are opportunities for significant emissions reductions by decreasing commuting trips, shifting choices of transportation modes and vehicle types, and increasing transit capacity in the longer term. Climate justice factors into the development of transportation policies and programs to ensure that equity across the UBC community is considered.
Actions – Immediate
- Develop policies, targets and tools that enable and support departments in incorporating remote work / teleworking, flex days and online learning on an ongoing basis.
- Explore funding via a “Sustainable Transportation Levy” as part of parking permit fees (e.g., $0.25 / trip) to fund sustainable transportation initiatives, including a Sustainable Transportation Program, that will support increased use of sustainable modes of transportation and reductions in commuting emissions.
- Establish an ongoing Sustainable Transportation Program to deliver infrastructure, programs and initiatives that enable sustainable transportation choices and drive behavioural change to reduce commuting emissions.
- Continue to pursue a SkyTrain connection to campus by 2032 (existing action).
- Identify a suite of improvements including infrastructure, procedural, and policy changes to improve the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging user experience and increase capacity to support transition towards electrical vehicle ownership in the UBC community.
Actions - Short Term - By 2024
- Transition parking permit fee structure to daily permits only (eliminating monthly, term, and annual permits), and offer a discount/subsidy for monthly transit passes for all staff and faculty.
- Improve cycling experience to support increased cycling trips to and from campus, such as improved secure bike storage, working with government partners to provide dedicated bike lanes to/from campus and an integrated e-bike and bike share program with the City of Vancouver.
In a survey conducted by TransLink, 92% of respondents indicated support for extending SkyTrain to the UBC Vancouver campus.
Take Action Now
Learn about sustainable transportation alternatives for your commute, and find resources to support you in using them.