Policy, priorities and action: A case study of the university of British Columbia's engagement with sustainability

In 1990, UBC signed the Talloires Declaration - an international commitment to environmental sustainability in higher education. In 1997, the University of British Columbia (UBC) adopted a Sustainable Development Policy stating the campus will adhere to sustainable practices in all of its actions and mandates and that all students will be educated about sustainability. This article considers how the UBC Sustainable Development Policy was formed, how the policy is being implemented, and the connection of sustainability to academic plans and strategies at UBC. A number of methods were utilized to research the experiences of faculty, staff and students at UBC including; document analysis, participant observation and indepth interviews. The article addresses the problem of institutions committing to multiple priorities and the lack of coordination between the policy of sustainability and academic plans. The conclusion considers the role of the University in creating a sustainable future. © 2005 International Association of Universities.