The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininew, Anisininew, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2
The University of Manitoba (UM) is the northern-focused authority on climate action.
There are three factors that make UM uniquely positioned to lead. First, geography—Manitoba has the only deep-water port in the Arctic Ocean and UM just opened a globally unique laboratory on its shores. Second, UM has the largest, most well-funded sea-ice research team in the world collaborating with others to understand climate change in profound new ways. And third, for decades we have been building partnerships with Indigenous community leaders, businesses, NGOs, and all levels of government across the Arctic and that makes us stand out above all others.
UM is ambitious in studying and tackling this global crisis, setting an example and inspiring change among governments by exploring innovative solutions around energy consumption that are paving the road for a more sustainable future.
of all UM courses are sustainability-related
Living Laboratory projects completed
UM faculty members engaged in sustainability research
of research-producing departments engaged in sustainability research
courses have a deep connection to sustainability
At UM, 40% of energy is sourced from low-carbon options, with continual reductions in electricity, steam, and water usage supported by a comprehensive sustainability dashboard that allows students and the public to track progress. Additionally, UM hosts workshops and student-led campaigns aimed at reducing carbon emissions, making the campus a hub for learning and direct action in environmental stewardship.
UM’s multipronged and aggressive approach laid out in our university’s Climate Action Plan will cut our emissions in half by 2030 and have us reach net zero by 2050.
In 2020, UM signed the Global University and Colleges Climate Letter and committed to carbon neutrality by 2050 in line with international efforts to minimize the increase in global temperature and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Currently, UM tracks and reports on emissions across all three scopes including:
The Climate Action Plan lays out a pathway to cut our Scope 1 and 2 emissions in half by 2030 and reach net zero across all Scopes by 2050.
The University of Manitoba is also a signatory to the UN Principles of Responsible Investing (UN PRI) in 2023 as part of its responsible investing commitments, and has even created policies that ensure our procurement process (PDF) takes environmental considerations into account.
The effective Green Office Program helps staff incorporate green practices into day-to-day operations while directly contributing to the University of Manitoba's sustainability strategy (PDF). And UM’s Green Investment Fund supports innovative, grassroots ideas faculty and staff have to reduce our environmental footprint, such as a creative way to recover 90 per cent of helium—the only non-renewable element—on our campus used in experiments, dramatically reducing our carbon emissions.
Student groups like UMEARTH and Engineers Without Borders are also working to reduce UM’s environmental impact.
UM researchers are internationally recognized for their innovative work understanding and mitigating climate change and enhancing our adaptive capacity through their robust research.
UM has two Canada Excellence Research Chairs, a Canada 150 Research Chair, a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair and three Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs all connected to climate research—and those are just the research chairs. There are many other faculty, staff and students from diverse disciplines working to find solutions to this global crisis that threatens ecosystems and economies around the globe.
The Centre for Earth Observation Science (CEOS) leads a collaborative network that addresses the pressing issues of climate resilience and sustainable development. Through public webinars, open-access publications, and field engagement with Arctic communities, CEOS works with diverse stakeholders to ensure climate research translates into meaningful, community-driven solutions for climate adaptation.
UM researchers were the first to drill to bedrock in Greenland collecting an ice core that is 120,000 years old and capable of informing so much. UM researchers were the first to notice that our climate models were wrong and policymakers need to be aware the situation is worse than predicted, and we sounded the alarm that microplastics are dangerous because they transport toxic mercury in new and dangerous ways, giving us the opportunity to address this impending crisis.
We opened the Churchill Marine Observatory (CMO), a globally unique, highly innovative, multidisciplinary research facility that gives researchers access to marine and Arctic life like never before, helping us protect marine species and learn how to combat oil spills in the harsh Arctic environment. The novel data we will obtain from this laboratory will help inform global policy around shipping and resource development in this fragile ecosystem.
The University of Manitoba also conducts North America’s longest-running organic versus conventional cropping system study. The Natural Systems Agriculture Group goes beyond increasing the efficiency of current agricultural practices: its goal is to redesign agricultural systems to align and work with ecology. This group develops solutions that can be used by producers around the world, such as its work alongside the Canadian Food Grains Bank that is helping farmers in Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Mozambique rehabilitate damaged landscapes through nature positive practices including conservation agriculture, natural regeneration, water retention, and reforestation.
Explore the research group's current projects
UM’s expertise plays a pivotal role in shaping national and international climate resilience policies, with faculty contributing climate action strategies directly to Canada’s Parliament and global platforms like the World Economic Forum. By openly sharing research data and insights on Arctic climate risks and adaptation with the public, UM fosters awareness and empowers local communities to adopt resilience practices.
The University of Manitoba is the only Canadian university in the World Climate Research Programme, collaborating with this Non-Government Organization in this network of regional hubs. We are creating transparency in research and facilitate sharing of climate information so NGOs and others can adapt to the changing climate.
UM was also the only Canadian university that hosted 35 members of the US Embassy's Public Diplomacy Section to campus because of our university’s alignment and expertise in advancing the goals outlined in the 2021 "The Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership,” including accelerating climate action.
UM hosts Arctic Science Day where Grades 7-12 students learn about how our researchers do fieldwork in the Arctic to understand how climate change impacts Arctic ecosystems and communities.
The Manitoba Great Lakes Program sees UM researchers cooperate with community members to understand, plan and protect the watershed from climate change related disasters, and our Airships to the Arctic and other public webinars connect the public with researchers on matters concerning climate change.
UM created the Careers that Fight Climate Change Mentorship Program, connecting Indigenous students and newcomer youth, with community leaders who introduce youth to careers that fight climate change all while increasing their knowledge about climate change resiliency, and improving Indigenous and newcomer relations.
UM has been working closely with the community for years to develop a new, sustainable community called Southwood Circle that is building wellness, embracing diversity and nature in its every detail. It is unlike any other development and demonstrates leadership in Indigenous Planning and Design with Indigenous design elements incorporated throughout the development.
The innovative Land and Water program is an Indigenous land-based education program that brings together Indigenous students and youth, community members, knowledge carriers, and elders to participate in immersive urban land-based experiences and explore Indigenous relationships with our waterways.
The Natural Resource Institute (NRI) integrates knowledge gained from the natural and social sciences to develop holistic perspectives on environmental and natural resources management problems, from helping songbirds living near oilfields to alleviating flooding in Bangladesh.
The UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) unite people in action and aim to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change. UM is addressing these themes by creating opportunities for our students, staff, faculty and community to participate in actions to help achieve these goals.
