This societal impact focuses on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. 

Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today and access to energy for all is essential.  Lakehead University is actively promoting and supporting clean energy initiatives through research, outreach, and by changing our own behaviours and practices in areas including investments and usage. 

Research and Innovation

Local: Exploring Solar and Geothermal Energy for Northwestern Ontario's Climate

In 2025, Dr. Basel I. Ismail and Anjali Nagi researched the optimization of solar photovoltaic panel tilt angles for hybrid solar-geothermal heat pump applications in Northwestern Ontario. Their study addresses the challenge of designing renewable energy systems that perform effectively in regions with cold winters and distinct seasonal conditions. By examining how solar panel positioning can improve energy generation when integrated with geothermal heating, the research explores ways to make renewable energy systems more practical for local buildings.

Regional: Biorefining Research Institute

Lakehead University's Biorefining Research Institute (BRI) supports research into technologies that convert renewable resources into useful products, including potential biofuels and alternative energy sources. Its work involves collaboration with industry, academic institutions, government and First Nations partners, including organizations connected to the forestry and natural resources sectors. This research has regional relevance in Northwestern Ontario, where forestry and resource-based industries are important to the economy. By exploring ways to use forest biomass and other renewable resources more efficiently, the institute supports innovation in the regional bioeconomy and the development of alternatives to conventional fossil-based products and energy sources.

Regional: Green Process Research Center

The Green Process Research Center (GPRC) is a hub for local and international researchers to develop green technologies, sustainable products and processes that can help transform chemical industries and reduce environmental impacts. Through these research activities and partnerships, Lakehead contributes expertise and innovation relevant to clean energy and energy efficiency

Global: Federal Research Support for Wind-Energy Technologies

Dr. Mohammad Nasir Uddin research is on renewable energy, with a particular focus on improving wind turbine efficiency and developing power systems that support the transition away from fossil fuels. As director of Lakehead University's Renewable Energy, Power Systems and Drive Research Lab in Barrie, he applies his expertise in electrical engineering and motor-drive technologies to renewable electricity generation. His work is globally relevant because improving wind energy technology can help increase renewable electricity production, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the development of more sustainable energy systems. His research contributes to efforts to make clean energy technologies more efficient and practical for wider adoption.

National: Clean-Energy Research and Electric Vehicle Technology Development

In 2025, Lakehead University advanced clean transportation technology through research led by Dr. Apparao Dekka in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research focuses on the design and development of powertrain technologies for heavy-duty electric vehicles, addressing the high costs associated with electric vehicle production. By developing more affordable and energy-efficient technologies, the project aims to strengthen Canada’s electric vehicle industry, support wider adoption of electric vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The research also contributes to training highly qualified personnel with the specialized skills needed to support the growth of Canada’s clean transportation sector.

Teaching and Student Life

Supporting Low-Carbon Innovation and Sustainable Entrepreneurship

Lakehead University’s Office of Innovation, Partnerships, and Economic Development (IPED) and Ingenuity support start-ups developing technologies and solutions that contribute to a low-carbon economy. Through incubation programs, workshops, mentorship, workspaces, equipment and start-up funding, Ingenuity helps students, faculty and community members turn innovative ideas into viable businesses, including ventures focused on sustainable packaging and solar-powered devices.

The Ingenuity Ascend Accelerator builds on Lakehead’s clean-technology entrepreneurship support by providing students and recent alumni with up to $5,000 in non-repayable funding for early-stage business ideas in forestry and the bioeconomy. The program supports ventures that use renewable biological resources to develop sustainable solutions in areas such as energy, agriculture, packaging and waste reduction. By helping entrepreneurs develop and commercialize these innovations, Lakehead promotes sustainable business growth and contributes to a more resource-efficient, low-carbon economy.

Environmental Management and Clean Energy Education

Lakehead University’s Master of Environmental Management, offered through the Faculty of Natural Resources Management, prepares students to address complex environmental and natural resource challenges. The program integrates sustainable resource management, climate change, economics, and environmental policy, with opportunities to explore clean and renewable energy through electives, research, and initiatives such as the Biorefining Research Institute.

Lakehead University’s Master of Science in Environmental Engineering prepares graduates from engineering and related natural sciences to develop effective solutions to environmental challenges facing communities and industries. The interdisciplinary program combines advanced study and research in areas such as biorefinery and bioenergy production, greenhouse gas reduction, water resource management, waste and wastewater treatment, and sustainable materials. Students benefit from research opportunities and specialized laboratory facilities to address complex environmental issues such as climate change, water security, and energy sustainability.

Community Impact

Community Education

The Lakehead University Office of Sustainability and the City of Thunder Bay hosted a panel discussion titled “Electrify Your Future”. This event was free to the public and provided information on basic heat pump technology, available rebates, and the ability to discuss heat pump advantages with homeowners and service providers within the City of Thunder Bay.

Collaborative Action Toward Community Net-Zero Emissions

As a member of the Advisory Group of the City of Thunder Bay's Net-Zero Strategy, Lakehead University is committed to collaborative action to address energy use and greenhouse gas emissions as a feasible pathway to achieve community-wide net-zero emissions by 2050.

Administration and Operations

Sustainable Building Standards and Energy Efficiency

Lakehead's Sustainable Building Policy requires that all retrofits and major renovations of existing buildings adhere to the energy efficiency standards required by the internationally accepted third-party Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.  Lakehead University incorporates LEED standards into its campus development, with the Lakehead Orillia campus achieving LEED Platinum standards and the Thunder Bay campus’ CASES building certified LEED Silver.

Lakehead University’s commitment to improving building energy efficiency is outlined in its 2019–2025 Sustainability Plan and Sustainable Building Policy. The Sustainability Plan commits to reducing building energy consumption and increasing the use of clean and renewable energy. It identifies measures such as building retrofits, LED lighting upgrades -  Library LED lighting replacement project in 2025, energy metering and management, and building recommissioning. Implementation is overseen through the Sustainability Executive Advisory Committee and Sustainability Stewardship Council. The Sustainable Building Policy further supports energy-efficient building improvements by requiring major renovations to meet LEED standards.

Solar Energy and Renewable Power Generation

Lakehead University’s University Centre features a rooftop solar array that supports the University’s transition to clean energy. The 70-panel system began generating electricity in 2018 and supplies renewable power directly to the building, helping offset electricity used for lighting and kitchen operations.

Carbon and Energy Management

Lakehead University’s approach to carbon management combines operational energy conservation with the measurement and reduction of emissions associated with its investments. Through its Conservation and Demand Management Plan, the University monitors energy consumption, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, establishes reduction targets, and identifies opportunities to improve the efficiency of campus energy and heating systems. These measures support efforts to reduce energy use and the carbon emissions associated with university operations.

Lakehead also has a formal process for measuring, monitoring and reducing the carbon intensity of its endowment investment portfolio. As a signatory to the Investing to Address Climate Change Charter, the University commits to regularly assessing portfolio carbon intensity, setting reduction targets, evaluating progress and publicly reporting results. Using December 31, 2019, as its baseline, Lakehead established a target to maintain portfolio carbon intensity at least 40% below baseline levels by 2030. The University measures carbon intensity using the weighted average carbon intensity of its endowment holdings, with Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions data sourced through Morningstar/Sustainalytics. Its report documents a 51% reduction from the baseline measurement to the latest reported period and notes the transition to fossil-fuel-free pooled funds in 2022. Together, these operational and investment-related measures demonstrate Lakehead’s commitment to monitoring emissions, implementing reduction strategies and tracking progress toward its carbon management objectives.

Our Pledge for Carbon Neutrality

Lakehead University has signed the Investing to Address Climate Change: A Charter for Canadian Universities, committing to responsible investment practices that address climate change. The Charter includes commitments to responsible investment frameworks, measuring and reducing portfolio carbon intensity, regularly evaluating and publicly reporting progress, and incorporating climate-related objectives into investment manager performance assessments.

By December 2022, Lakehead University had completed its divestment from fossil fuels, achieving this milestone ahead of schedule and becoming the sixth Canadian university to take this step. Lakehead continues to demonstrate climate leadership by monitoring the impact of its divestment and keeping stakeholders informed about its responsible investment practices.