
Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability
Problem Focused. Curiosity Driven. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19): UBC STRONGLY RECOMMENDS WEARING MASKS IN INDOOR PUBLIC SETTINGS to prevent COVID-19 transmission. To ensure persons in all AERL workspaces remain as safe as possible, it is required that all persons follow the COVID-19 Campus Rules. IRES must operate under the AERL building Safety Plan. Please complete a daily self-assessment for symptoms of COVID-19. If you have symptoms, stay home. All IRES community members are encouraged to get vaccinated and receive your booster dose. Click the button below to register for your vaccine if you have not already done so. Vaccine Registration
WE ARE...
a problem-focused and curiosity-driven interdisciplinary research institute and graduate program, with interest and expertise in a wide range of topics under the realm of environment and sustainability.
Graduate Program
News and Events
Featured Events See all

Feb 9, 2pm – 3pm | Workshop: Happy Climate Action
Dr. Jiaying Zhao of IRES will present a brief talk on happy climate action as a preview to her upcoming TED talk in NYC and conduct a workshop on creating a climate action plan that enhances personal and planetary well-being.

Feb 27 – Mar 2 | CPCIL 2023 Research eSummit
The 2023 Virtual Research Summit brings together “Knowers” (scholars/knowledge keepers), “Doers” (practitioners), and “Learners” (students, new hires) to make meaningful connections and build a network of interested individuals in the parks and protected areas field.
News See all

Do we have less than 10 years to address climate change?
Dr. Simon Donner of IRES discussed the use of artificial intelligence to predict the future of Earth's climate.

Some of the waste dumped on Cultus Lake area farmland came from Surrey green bins
Dr. Jiaying Zhao of IRES commented on the problem of dealing with contaminated green waste.
Seminar Series See all

February 9, 2023: IRES Faculty Seminar with Sumeet Gulati
Join Dr. Sumeet Gulati to learn about his research on the relationship between forest clearing and fatal human elephant conflict in India.

February 16, 2023: IRES Student Seminar with Erika Gavenus and Shuoqi Ren
Join IRES PhD Candidate Erika Gavenus for her talk comparing historical and contemporary salmon harvest rates and MSc Student Shuoqi Ren's presentation about urban environmental justice!