UBC welcomes national sustainability research chair

Dec. 20, 2016 – The University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan campus has a new national research chair. In collaboration with Egg Farmers of Canada (EFC), UBC has named Nathan Pelletier as egg industry chair in sustainability/endowed chair in bio-economy sustainability management.

Pelletier is cross-appointed to both UBC’s Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences and the campus’ faculty of management, to support interdisciplinary research at the Okanagan campus.

“Food system sustainability is a subject of increasing importance in Canada and beyond and I look forward to collaborating with UBC colleagues and others in this research area,” says Pelletier. “I would like to thank Egg Farmers of Canada for their participation and support of this crucial area of study.”

As part of his role, Pelletier will be responsible for directing and managing research programs to support sustainability measurement and management for the Canadian egg industry and food sector more broadly. His work will include exploring sustainability measurement and management, life-cycle thinking and resource efficiency.

“We are proud to be working with Dr. Pelletier,” says Tim Lambert, chief executive officer of Egg Farmers of Canada. “Egg farming is already one of the most environmentally sustainable forms of animal agriculture. Building on this reality, our strong commitment to sustainability and our investment in Dr. Pelletier’s innovative research will ensure that the Canadian egg industry continues to improve its environmental footprint.”

Pelletier holds a BSc from the University of Victoria, a Master of Environmental Studies from Dalhousie University and an interdisciplinary Research PhD in Ecological Economics, also from Dalhousie. He also conducted post-doctoral research for Environment Canada and, most recently, for the European Commission Joint Research Centre’s Institute for Environment and Sustainability.

EFC will be providing funding for the new chair in connection with research activities, including the areas of sustainability measurement and management, life-cycle thinking and resource efficiency.

EFC has released a video that provides additional information on Pelletier and his research, available online here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig_PHQkYpfo.