Canada's Greenest Employers Archives - News@91��ɫ

91��ɫ leads as one of Canada’s greenest and most diverse employers

sandramc — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Living its values. For the first time, 91��ɫ achieves two top designations as Canada’s greenest and most diverse employer for 2024.

This is the 12th consecutive year 91��ɫ has made the cut for and selected by Mediacorp Canada Inc., organizers of the annual Canada’s Top 100 Employers project.

The honour recognizes employers who lead the nation in creating a culture of awareness for the environment and whose sustainability practices have become part of their public identity. It include developing unique initiatives and programs, and successfully reducing their footprint with the help of employees.

Laina Bay-Cheng, interim vice-president of Equity People and Culture

In addition, 91��ɫ also received award announced March 4, a first for the University, which recognizes exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs across the country. Not only has 91��ɫ launched a Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) Strategy, but its DEDI values are infused into its Framework and Action Plan on Black Inclusion and the .

“Being recognized as Canada’s Best Diversity and Canada’s Greenest Employers is possible because of the values and dedication of 91��ɫ employees, staff and faculty alike,” says Laina Bay-Cheng, interim vice-president of Equity People and Culture. “I hope 91��ɫ and all our colleagues can take pride in how hard we work to be a place where so many different people, all taking so many different paths in their careers and lives, can thrive and feel like they belong.”

91��ɫ continues to be a champion of sustainability. A year ago, the University hired its first chief sustainability office in its Office of Sustainability to focus more attention on its sustainability goals and actions. Since then, it has shortened its initial goal to reach net-zero emissions by a decade, now 2040. It also started a $1 million Sustainability Innovation Fund to provide funding to faculty, staff and students to pursue projects to advance climate action – which supports the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 13) on 91��ɫ’s three campuses toward positive change.

“91��ɫ’s collaborative and holistic approach to sustainability has played a large part in why we continue to excel in sustainability leadership. This work wouldn’t be possible without the support of students, faculty, instructors and staff,” says Mike Layton, 91��ɫ’s chief sustainability officer.

Mike Layton, 91��ɫ’s inaugural chief sustainability officer, in front of two types of electric vehicles used at the University, including SARIT (left)

A University-wide challenge to elevate 91��ɫ’s contributions to the UN’s SDGs 17 (global partnerships for sustainable development) was also included in its University Academic Plan 2020-2025. With two TTC stops on its Keele Campus and an investment in using electric golf carts, bikes, and hybrid and electric vehicles, 91��ɫ has helped its community move away from single-occupant trips to more sustainable options. Its ZeroWaste program has increasingly diverted waste from landfill sites for more than three decades, reaching 70 per cent of waste diversion.

91��ɫ also has an Eco-Campus dedicated to teaching and researching neotropical conservation, eco-health, community well-being and sustainable livelihoods through it's 400-acres Las Nubes Forest Reserve in Costa Rica.

91��ɫ’s continued commitment to sustainability and diversity, is reflected in the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, where it ranked among the world’s top 40 universities out of more than 1,500 for advancing the SDGs. That includes being ranked 21st in the world for SDG 1 – No Poverty, 25th in the world for SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities, and 12th in the world for SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.

As Layton says, “Community adoption of green initiatives and a continued desire to support the University in expanding its impact to create a more sustainable future is integral. This recognition is a reflection of community efforts.”

It’s a commitment that will help foster a greener, more diverse future.

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91��ɫ recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for a ninth time

roshanp — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 16:14:49 +0000

TORONTO, April 19, 2021 – 91��ɫ has received the designation of being one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the ninth consecutive time, a testament to its dedication to sustainability through action, research, education and partnerships.

Selected by Mediacorp Canada Inc., the 2021 Canada’s Greenest Employers title recognizes organizations who make strides to reduce their ecological footprint, a commitment 91��ɫ has long been a leader in and holds as one of its core values.

“Being selected as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the ninth consecutive year is both a celebration of the accomplishments that have been made, and a source of inspiration to continue forging towards making things right for our communities, our planet and our future,” said Carol McAulay, vice-president finance and administration. “In a time of global uncertainty, institutions are being challenged to reaffirm their commitment to sustainability. 91��ɫ is proud of its continued dedication and leadership in this space and will continue to do its part through collaboration, engagement and innovation, with opportunities to make an impact in our local and global communities.”

The title of Canada’s Greenest Employers is awarded to national organizations in recognition of exceptional sustainability initiatives, work and commitment toward meeting sustainability goals, and the development of a culture of environmental awareness.

The editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers select which organizations will be named Canada’s Greenest Employers every year based on the development of unique environmental initiatives and programs, their success rate in reducing the organization's own environmental footprint and in engaging employees in these environmental efforts. They also look at how closely the institution’s public identity is linked to these sustainable initiatives, and their ability to attract new employees and clients as a result.

Additional 91��ɫ sustainability highlights:

The University’s Academic Plan (2020 to 2025) is a University wide challenge to contribute to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals in everything the University does. This is just one example of how 91��ɫ upholds sustainability, both environmental and societal, as a compass for its decisions. 91��ɫ will continue to do its part to address the growing environmental crisis through collaboration, engagement, leadership and innovation.
As a leader in sustainability, 91��ɫ is committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and to becoming carbon neutral on or before 2049. This University-wide challenge will create positive change, locally and globally, for our students, the communities we serve, and the world around us.
The new Rob and Cheryl McEwen Graduate Study & Research Building, part of the Schulich School of Business, received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification – one of the highest standards of sustainability for a building. To attain LEED gold, a building must be designed to meet several sustainability criteria, including water efficiency, the reduction of CO2 emissions, and indoor environmental quality.
As a testament to 91��ɫ’s commitment to sustainability, it is ranked 33rd in the world for the Times Higher Education 2020 Impact Rankings. These global rankings look at how well 768 universities from 85 countries are accomplishing the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
91��ɫ’s new brand strategy incorporates a commitment to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals by tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues, such as inequality, racism and climate change.

Read more about 91��ɫ’s commitment to sustainability:

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91��ɫ is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. 91��ɫ's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91��ɫ’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact:

Sandra McLean, 91��ɫ Media Relations, 416-272-6317, sandramc@yorku.ca

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91��ɫ named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers eight years in a row

roshanp — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 14:21:46 +0000

TORONTO, June 22, 2020 – 91��ɫ has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for 2020, an honour it has achieved eight consecutive times for initiatives such as sourcing sustainable food options.

More than 30 per cent of the food 91��ɫ purchases is local, sustainable-certified, Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance-certified. In addition, it has its own 2,000-square-foot community garden on the main campus.

“91��ɫ has integrated its commitment to sustainability into its research, teaching and decision making, including linking it to our understanding of our ecosystem with our Social Procurement Policy,” said Carol McAulay, vice-president finance and administration. “We have established a framework of values and principles to advance the long-term health and vitality of our communities and to recognize that our procurement processes can have positive and sustainable social impact.”

91��ɫ's Eco-campus in Costa Rica

The title of Canada’s Greenest Employers recognizes national leaders in developing not only a culture of environmental awareness, but exceptional sustainability initiatives.

Each year, the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers choose the organizations that will be named Canada’s Greenest Employers based on the development of unique environmental initiatives and programs, their success rate in reducing the organization's own environmental footprint and in engaging employees in these environmental efforts. They also look at how closely the institution’s public identity is linked to these sustainable initiatives, and their ability to attract new employees and clients as a result.

Additional 91��ɫ sustainability highlights:

91��ɫ’s Social Procurement Policy provides unique opportunities to reinforce the University’s vision and policies, as well as its role as an anchor institution to create a responsible and sustainable supply chain process,
It has built a culture to embrace social procurement at the University while leveraging its purchasing power to benefit local economies,
The University offers more than 500 courses related to sustainability and the environment across several faculties,
Its Eco-Campus in Costa Rica is next to the Las Nubes Forest Reserve, part of the largest rainforest ecosystem in Central America, and is dedicated to education and research on neotropical conservation, eco-health, community well-being and sustainable livelihoods for neighbouring communities,
In addition to offering a mix of transportation options, 91��ɫ also hosts an annual Bike to 91��ɫ Day, maintains three on-campus bike repair stations, two car-share operations, online carpool-matching and preferred parking for car-poolers, and has two new subway stations connecting the campus to the city,
91��ɫ uses PV solar panels, rainwater recapture systems and maintains several green roofs on campus buildings, as well as offering electric vehicle charging stations,
New buildings are constructed to meet LEED Gold certification and there are LED lighting retrofits, water-saving fixtures, a formal ZeroWaste program, which diverts 68 per cent of waste from the landfill, plus a FreeStuff residence exchange program for students and a battery recycling program,
91��ɫ also holds an annual Earth Day campus clean-up event, a weekly farmers market, an Oasis clothing bank and its print services are Forest Stewardship Council certified for paper sourcing, double-sided printing and advocating the use of e-documents.

Read more about 91��ɫ’s commitment to sustainability:

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91��ɫ champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91��ɫ students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world’s most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91��ɫ U is an internationally recognized research university – our 11 faculties and 25 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91��ɫ is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni. 91��ɫ U's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contact:

Sandra McLean, 91��ɫ Media Relations, 416-272-6317, sandramc@yorku.ca

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91��ɫ is one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for sixth consecutive time

roshanp — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 19:32:17 +0000

TORONTO, Thursday, April 19, 2018 – How does an institution like 91��ɫ become one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the sixth consecutive time? By reducing annual electrical consumption by 34,730,786 kWh, saving $5M in utilities every year, and recycling 3,705,780 kg of waste, for starters.

In the 11 years since the competition began, 91��ɫ has landed on the list of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for sustainability initiatives more than half the time. 91��ɫ is one of only eight out of close to 100 universities across Canada to win a spot at the top.

As a leader in sustainability, the University has embarked on several environmentally friendly initiatives that alter the footprint of campus buildings, such as five green roofs, the use of PV solar panels, the collection of rainwater, a solar powered electric vehicle charging station, and the LEED Gold certified Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence. Three more buildings are also LEED certified.

91��ɫ’s sustainability highlights:

As a long-time member of Smart Commute, 91��ɫ has successfully reduced the use of single occupant vehicles to campus from 70 per cent to 20 per cent;
91��ɫ’s ZeroWaste program diverts 68 per cent of waste from landfills;
91��ɫ has the largest and first of its kind Faculty of Environmental Studies;
The new Eco Campus in Costa Rica next to the largest rainforest ecosystem in Centre America;
91��ɫ offers more than 500 courses that relate to environmental and sustainability studies;
22 kilometres of walking paths and more than 200 gardens, including the 2,000-sq-ft Maloca Community Garden; and
Water refill stations across the University replaced disposable water bottles.

For more, read the 91��ɫ .

Background:

Canada’s Greenest Employers is part of the Canada's Top 100 Employers project managed by Mediacorp Canada Inc. Learn more about the .

Media Contact:
Sandra McLean, 91��ɫ Media Relations, 416-736-2100 ext. 22097, sandramc@yorku.ca

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