TORONTO, July 22, 2025 – Earth Overshoot Day (July 24) is more than a week early this year resulting from humanity’s growing ecological footprint amid trade wars and tariffs, which play a potential role in the ecological footprint of Canada and many others, says , director of the  in 91ŃÇɫ’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change.

Trade can enable – and mask – the extent to which countries depend upon others for food and natural resources, says Miller, who is available to speak with media about Earth Overshoot Day and what it means for Ontario and the rest of Canada, and the world.

Researchers at 91ŃÇÉ« and the University of Iceland measured the “biocapacity” of all countries’ lands and waters, and how much of it was traded to support the ecological footprint of people in other countries. For example, Canadian forests, more than some 350 times the City of Toronto, were used to support the net imports of softwood lumber by the United States in recent years.

Trade patterns have changed over the years with some countries, such as Canada, exporting far more than they consume or in the case of Italy, importing more than they export, and these patterns could be changing further in this country as interprovincial trading ramps up.

The effect on each country’s ecological footprint can be seen in the most recent data from , including estimates for how well Canada fares. Canada uses a significantly larger ecological footprint for production than consumption.

“Humanity is using more resources than the Earth can regenerate in a year, and it has been doing so for the last half a century,” says Miller. “The amount we produce, consume and trade continues to increase as we use more resources.”

Close to one third of what the world produces today is not consumed domestically, but instead exported elsewhere, more than double what it was in 1961. Since this time, this amount has grown with only temporary small decreases following world financial crises and the pandemic.

Miller leads a team of researchers and graduate students to produce the  for the , a Canadian not-for-profit organization.

The latest dataset tracks ecological footprint and biocapacity at national and global levels, as well as individually, for 244 countries and territories on a national and trade basis, from 1961 to 2024. It also breaks it down by component, measuring production, imports and exports – trade – and consumption (imports minus exports).

There is a reliable timeline of data for 191 of those countries that allows researchers to see trends over time.

“Using this data allows us to generate the footprint for the national accounts but they also allow us to analyse trends in production and also trade, which has been in the news a lot lately,” says Kiona Lo, senior data analyst, International Ecological Footprint Learning Lab (IEFLL).

Ecological Footprint is the area of land and water people use to grow food and harvest renewable materials to sustain them, in addition to the area occupied by settlements and infrastructure and the area of forests needed to sequester human-generated carbon emissions. Biocapacity is a measure of the ecological potential of an area and includes fishing grounds, built-up land, such as buildings, houses, roads and other infrastructure, cropland, grazing land, and forest biocapacity (the forests’ capacity to supply forest products or to absorb carbon).

“Looking ahead 25 years, the year 2050 is significant as that’s when most of the countries in the world have committed to reaching net zero emissions. To achieve net zero emissions, and end overshoot, each country will need to have its ecological footprint within its biocapacity. That means by 2050 the amount of carbon emissions produced by burning fossil fuels, for example, should be no greater that what can be sequestered by the lands and waters of the planet,” says Miller.

Although the data shows consumption has slowed worldwide, it has still reached the highest ecological footprint since data keeping began.

“It raises the question of what level of reduction in ecological footprint is needed to achieve that worldwide. It’s a 2.1 per cent annual reduction in the world’s ecological footprint for the next 25 years. If we don’t change the current trajectory, it will be a significant challenge to reach the net zero emissions goal.”

Currently, the biocapacity of almost 1.8 Earths would be needed to sustain humanity’s ecological footprint.

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As the world heats up, creating extreme weather havoc, the University is on track to reach the 2030 Paris Agreement 45 per cent emissions reduction target years earlier

Many scientists now believe global temperatures are on track to surpass 1.5C and are likely to reach 2.5C, or greater, above pre-industrial levels. At the same time, reports peg many corporations as quietly quitting their reduced carbon commitments. 91ŃÇÉ«, on the other hand, stands out as a beacon to a more sustainable future.

The University continues to advance sustainability through teaching, research, more efficient campus operations and community involvement, locally and beyond, toward a better, greener world in line with its motto “Tentanda via – the way must be tried”.

Launched today, its newly revised Sustainability Strategy 2030, Positive Change: Connecting People, Planet and Purpose outlines what steps 91ŃÇÉ« will take towards meeting its sustainability goals. Its new sustainability objectives will propel 91ŃÇÉ« forward on a path to becoming one of the most sustainable institutions in Canada.

“As a global community, we are at an inflection point for the climate crisis. While the Earth’s climate system continues to worsen, there is still time to change course, and is up to us all to take action,” says Rhonda Lenton, 91ŃÇÉ« president and vice-chancellor. “With this new strategy, developed through consultations with the 91ŃÇÉ« community, we will escalate our efforts to combat the climate crisis through a whole-of-university approach that includes teaching, research, partnership, and operational activities across our local and global campuses. Together, we can realize a more sustainable future for ourselves and for our planet.”

As a living document, the strategy will guide 91ŃÇɫ’s bolstered commitment while answering a call to action towards sustainability. One of its top goals after hitting its 2030 target, potentially years earlier than expected, is to plan to phase out carbon emissions to achieve net zero by 2040 for scope one and two emissions and develop targets for scope three emissions. 91ŃÇÉ« will work to design all new buildings, and any major renovations, to net zero with an aim to make them net positive. In working towards also becoming a zero-waste institution, goals include reducing water use on campus, protecting watersheds while optimizing stormwater repurposing, mitigating the ecological impact of food eaten on campus, and regenerating local ecosystems.

It all starts with the will to do more and the plans to carry it out, while striving to make a difference locally and globally. That includes plans to maximize building use, the heating and cooling of spaces, and a strategy to decarbonize central utilities and fleet vehicles.

“91ŃÇÉ« has a history of leading on sustainability in our teaching, research, and operations,” says Mike Layton, chief sustainability officer in 91ŃÇɫ’s Office of Sustainability. “91ŃÇÉ« is well positioned with a global reputation as a leader in sustainability and as a university that does more than educate and research – 91ŃÇÉ« trains a community of changemakers.”

The plans are already paying off. Earlier this year, the University developed a new pollinator garden at its Keele Campus, part of its re-naturalizationand ecological regenerationplans which prioritize Indigenous plants. Part of its overall plan for success is to engage not only the university community, but also the wider community in its green strategies. The new pollinator garden is an example as visitors can scan QR codes placed throughout the garden to bring pollinators to life using augmented reality.

This fall, 91ŃÇÉ« put its new fleet of all electric shuttle buses on the road ferrying students and faculty between campuses emissions free. There are newly installed solar panels ready to be activated and several flourishing green roofs, including at its newer Second Student Centre. In addition, the University is exploring ways to use heat from underground sewers to warm and cool its Glendon Campus.

Part of achieving the necessary action to ensure a more sustainable future is through research and education, a key to transforming societies. 91ŃÇÉ« sees sustainability as a core value in all its teaching and research, as well as its campus operations. Under it’s three pillars of people, knowledge and place, the University strives to be a catalyst for climate action and solutions, an incubator for sustainability leaders, a disrupter of old ways of thinking, and a lodestar for transformative approaches.

A history of sustainability long before it was fashionable

The University has a long, steady history of sustainability. In 1968, it started the first Faculty of Environmental Studies in the country, along with the first known recycling program. Since then, it has continually reduced its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Through improvements in 1990, it reduced its GHG emissions by about 17,000 tonnes, plus another 11,000 tonnes in 2000, and 4,000 in 2010. Altogether, in its quest to be more energy efficient and build more sustainable buildings, 91ŃÇÉ« has diverted some 700,000 tonnes of GHG emissions in just over two decades.

In 2015, 91ŃÇÉ« phased out the sale of single use plastic water bottles, installed 70 water refill stations across its Keele and Glendon campuses and retrofitted over 200 existing public water fountains. In 2020, the Office of Sustainability was launched and two years later it was announced that efforts were underway to achieve net-zero sooner.

A living document for a changing planet

The new sustainability strategy works together with other institutional documents and commitments that touch on its vision, guiding principles, strategic objectives, and actions. As a living document, measurable and interim targets will roll out as the plan is implemented. Although its focus is on the environment, how it intersects with social and economic factors is also an important component of 91ŃÇɫ’s strategy.

By mobilizing students, faculty, staff, alumni and the external community, 91ŃÇÉ« hopes to shine a green light of hope along the path to climate action, positive change and a sustainable future for all.

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La version française suit la version anglaise.

TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2023 – In the future, when Canadian rapper and musician Drake sings “Wasting Time” at “7am on Bridle Path” in his shower, he could inadvertently be doing 91ŃÇɫ’s Glendon Campus a “Solid” by helping to heat and cool its buildings year-round.

On the heels of COP 28, a year of global record-breaking heat, and Environment and Climate Change Canada’s latest modelling projections on emissions reductions, the University and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance a proposal to use thermal energy from wastewater, including showers, dishwashers and hot tubs, to sustainably heat and cool Glendon, as part of the campus’s decarbonization initiative.

“At Glendon College, we continually strive to find ways to become a more sustainable place for the future of our students, faculty, staff, and the wider community. Through the signing of this MOU with Noventa, there is an opportunity to potentially create a path forward towards decarbonization of the campus and reaching net zero within the University’s broader sustainability goal by 2040. We are excited to see what’s next,” says Glendon College Principal Marco Fiola.

With a feasibility study already in hand, a detailed design report will now be developed as part of this latest MOU. It’s a first step in looking to green energy to meet most, if not all, of the campus’s heating and cooling needs. If pursued, the innovative solution would reduce emissions enough to make Glendon the University’s first net zero campus well in advance of its newly updated 2040 net zero goal.

Noventa’s Wastewater Energy Transfer (WET) system provides a unique opportunity for the University to advance its sustainability goals while saving operating funds. The solution utilizes proprietary HUBER ThermWin® technology and Noventa patented process innovation to transfer thermal energy to and from wastewater flowing in sewer pipes to provide low- to no-carbon heating and cooling to Glendon.

“We are excited to be working with 91ŃÇÉ« to finalize the design of this very exciting project which we hope will be an example to other university campuses of what can be achieved when we challenge conventional thinking to combat climate change,” said Dennis Fotinos, CEO of Noventa Energy.

In comparison to 91ŃÇɫ’s current heating and cooling system or the prospect of electrification, Noventa’s WET system would generate annual operating cost savings and lead to the retirement of $19 million in deferred maintenance – emerging as a fiscally and environmentally responsible solution worth exploring further.

Marco Fiola and 91ŃÇɫ’s Chief Sustainability Officer Mike Layton will be available for media on Thursday, Dec. 14, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. to answer questions and discuss the MOU, and the sustainable impact it would have on the University. Layton will be at Glendon Campus in the lobby of 91ŃÇÉ« Hall A Wing for in-person interviews. See for location. Dennis Fotinos, Dennis Fotinos, founder and CEO of Noventa, will be available for interviews after 3 p.m.

In addition, through a unique living lab scenario it would provide research and academic opportunities for 91ŃÇÉ« faculty, as well as experiential education opportunities to students.

This MOU is another way 91ŃÇÉ« is working towards its net zero goal.

Chics eaux grises : 91ŃÇÉ« et Noventa explorent une solution Ă©cologique pour chauffer Glendon

TORONTO, le 14 dĂ©cembre 2023 – Ă€ l’avenir, lorsque le rappeur et musicien canadien Drake chantera « Wasting Time » Ă  « 7am on Bridle Path » dans sa douche, il pourrait rendre un « Solid » service au campus Glendon de l’UniversitĂ© 91ŃÇÉ« en l’aidant Ă  chauffer et Ă  rafraĂ®chir ses Ă©difices tout au long de l’annĂ©e.

Dans la foulée de la COP 28, après une année record en matière de chaleur et encouragés par les dernières projections de modélisation sur les réductions d’émissions d’Environnement et Changement climatique Canada, l’Université et ont signé un protocole d’entente (PE) pour promouvoir l’utilisation de l’énergie thermique des eaux usées, notamment l’eau des douches, des lave-vaisselle et des spas, pour chauffer et rafraîchir Glendon de manière durable dans le cadre de l’initiative de décarbonisation du campus.

« Au Collège Glendon, nous nous efforçons continuellement de trouver des moyens de devenir un lieu plus Ă©cologique pour assurer l’avenir de notre population Ă©tudiante, des membres du corps professoral et du personnel et de la communautĂ©. Grace a la signature de ce protocole d'entente avec Noventa, il y a une occasion idĂ©ale de tracer la voie vers la dĂ©carbonisation du campus et l’atteinte de la carboneutralitĂ© dans le cadre de l’objectif gĂ©nĂ©ral d’écodurabilitĂ© de l’UniversitĂ© d’ici 2040. Nous avons hâte de voir la suite Â», a dĂ©clarĂ© Marco Fiola, principal du Collège Glendon.

Une étude de faisabilité ayant déjà été réalisée, un rapport de conception détaillé sera élaboré dans le cadre de ce protocole d’entente. Il s’agit d’une première étape dans la recherche d’une énergie verte pour répondre à la plupart, voire à la totalité, des besoins du campus en matière de chauffage et de climatisation. Si elle est mise en œuvre, cette solution innovante réduira suffisamment les émissions pour faire de Glendon le premier campus carboneutre de l’Université, bien avant l’atteinte de l’objectif de carboneutralité récemment mis à jour pour 2040.

Le système Wastewater Energy Transfer^MD (WET^MD) de Noventa offre à l’Université une occasion unique de faire progresser ses objectifs de développement durable tout en économisant sur les fonds de fonctionnement. La solution utilise la technologie propriétaire HUBER ThermWin® et l’innovation de processus brevetée Noventa pour transférer l’énergie thermique à partir des eaux usées circulant dans les conduites d’égout au nord de Glendon, y compris le secteur Bridle Path, afin de fournir au campus du chauffage et de la climatisation à faible teneur en carbone, ou même, sans carbone.

« Nous sommes ravis de travailler avec l’UniversitĂ© 91ŃÇÉ« pour finaliser la conception de ce projet passionnant qui, nous l’espĂ©rons, servira d’exemple Ă  d’autres campus pour montrer ce qu’il est possible de faire pour lutter contre le changement climatique lorsque l’on remet en question les idĂ©es reçues Â», a dĂ©clarĂ© Dennis Fotinos, PDG de Noventa Energy.

Par rapport au système de chauffage et de refroidissement actuel de 91ŃÇÉ« ou Ă  la perspective d’une Ă©lectrification, le système WET^MD de Noventa gĂ©nĂ©rerait des Ă©conomies annuelles sur les coĂ»ts d’exploitation et conduirait Ă  la mise au rancart de 19 millions $ de coĂ»ts d’entretien diffĂ©rĂ©, une solution fiscalement et Ă©cologiquement responsable qui mĂ©rite d’être explorĂ©e.

Le principal du Collège Glendon, Marco Fiola, et le chef de l’écodurabilitĂ© de 91ŃÇÉ«, Mike Layton seront disponibles le Âá±đłÜ»ĺľ±&˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;14&˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;»ĺĂ©ł¦±đłľ˛ú°ů±đ, de 10 h Ă  11 h 30 pour rĂ©pondre aux questions des mĂ©dias, discuter du protocole d’entente et de l’incidence durable qu’il aura sur l’UniversitĂ©. M. Layton sera au campus Glendon dans le hall d’entrĂ©e de l’aile A du pavillon 91ŃÇÉ« pour des entrevues en personne (voir la pour l’emplacement exact). Dennis Fotinos, fondateur et PDG de Noventa, sera disponible pour des entrevues Ă  partir de 15 h.

En outre, grâce au laboratoire vivant unique, des occasions de recherche et d’enseignement sont offertes au corps professoral de 91ŃÇÉ«, ainsi que des possibilitĂ©s d’éducation expĂ©rientielle Ă  la communautĂ© Ă©tudiante.

Ce protocole d’entente est une autre façon pour 91ŃÇÉ« d’atteindre son objectif de carboneutralitĂ©.

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New goals and actions announced today demonstrate continued momentum

TORONTO, Nov. 23, 2023 – In 10 years, some trees can grow anywhere from 10 to 25 feet tall, so when 91ŃÇÉ« announces its goal to reach net zero emissions a decade sooner, it’s a target that can lead to a significant and positive impact on the environment – enough time for a forest to grow.

Today, 91ŃÇÉ« announced its new objective to reach net zero emissions by 2040, 10 years sooner than its original commitment. It’s a goal the whole University community is pitching in to meet through individual actions, research and innovative solutions and is one of the most ambitious net zero targets in the Canadian post-secondary sector. With a demonstrated history of sustainable efforts, the University is ahead even of some municipalities, and it already has a huge head start.

“The United Nations has stated that climate change is the defining issue of our time, and the world is at a pivotal moment requiring urgent action,” says 91ŃÇÉ« President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. “As an internationally recognized leader in sustainability, 91ŃÇÉ« has a responsibility to act on global challenges facing humanity, including ecological degradation, climate change and growing socio-economic inequality. The bold actions we are taking on our campuses, and in our local and global communities will build on the strong foundation we have created and move us closer to our goal of becoming one of the most sustainable institutions in Canada.”

Sustainability is embedded in all facets of university life and every new initiative will help drive it forward. Even before today’s announcement, 91ŃÇÉ« was a leader in sustainability. The University is on track to meet its goal of reducing emissions by 45 per cent by 2030, three years early, and recently opened applications for its new $1 million Sustainability Innovation Fund to support community-led projects toward a more sustainable future.

“The urgency for action to advance sustainability and climate initiatives has never been greater. Today’s announcement sets 91ŃÇÉ« on a course to build on an already strong reputation for advancing sustainability initiatives on campus, in our community and around the world,” says 91ŃÇÉ« Chief Sustainability Officer Mike Layton. “I look forward to working with faculty, staff and students to develop plans to help 91ŃÇÉ« achieve its gold and have impact in our world.”

It’s also transparent about its achievements. 91ŃÇÉ« is the first Canadian institution to compile and release data on its ecological footprint and emissions. The report by the provides the University more information than ever to identify new opportunities to reduce emissions and develop innovative solutions to support a more sustainable future.

Today’s event included a panel – The shrinking act: How 91ŃÇÉ« is using data and innovative solutions to shrink its footprint – moderated by Layton with , director, 91ŃÇɫ’s Ecological Footprint Initiative in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change; Lassonde School of Engineering Associate Professor , Canada Research Chair in Reliable and Secure Power Grid Systems; Lassonde School of Engineering ; and Steve Prince, director, Utilities and Energy Management at 91ŃÇÉ«. There was also short play featuring two students from the theatre department of the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design and a brief video about sustainable travel – – from former Provostial Fellow, Schulich School of Business Professor .

More than $2 million from the federal government through its Decarbonization and Incentive Program will help 91ŃÇÉ« upgrade its Energy Management Information System. This will allow the University to integrate campus operations system data into an analytics platform that uses artificial intelligence to improve energy efficiency for heating and cooling and create student experiential learning opportunities to support its Campus as a Living Lab.

Earlier this year the University launched its Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living, an innovative, open access program that gives participants (more than 800 so far) the opportunity to learn from six of 91ŃÇɫ’s world-renowned academic experts on a diverse range of topics related to sustainability. The series tasks participants with making tangible sustainability-focused changes in their daily lives based on tips from each professor towards earning a first-of-its-kind Digital Badge in Sustainable Living.

In addition, 91ŃÇÉ« has more than 1.2 million square feet of green buildings, has diverted 77 per cent of all waste generated from landfills and has the highest recycling rate of any post-secondary institution in Ontario. Through waste diversion, the University has prevented more than 26,000 metric tons of carbon from reaching the atmosphere – equivalent to planting more than 1.2 million trees or eliminating 61,800 barrels of oil. 

Through operational improvements, the University has avoided 35,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year since 2020 – equivalent to removing 7,900 gasoline powered cars from the road for a year. 

This is just the beginning.

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