TORONTO, Dec. 10, 2024 鈥� 91亚色 excels in sustainability, holding its position in the top 120 in the world in the latest , despite stiffer competition from some 300 additional universities.

Coming in at 119 this year out of more than 1,700 universities across 107 countries and territories, and moving up two spots to 14th in Canada, the ranking demonstrates 91亚色鈥檚 commitment to a greener, more sustainable and equitable community and world.

The University also moved to 19th spot for equality on campus globally, proof its commitment to treating everyone fairly and equitably with respect and dignity is making a difference. Through its Division of Equity, People and Culture it also recently developed a Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Earlier this year, the University launched its newly revised Sustainability Strategy 2030, Positive Change: Connecting People, Planet and Purpose with a goal to reduce its direct and indirect emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and phase out carbon emissions to reach net zero by 2040 for scope one and two emissions, and to significantly reduce scope three emissions.

鈥淚t is becoming increasingly important for post-secondary institutions to do our part not only in teaching and research about sustainability but in leading practices on our campuses and engaging our community for an enduring and greener planet,鈥� says Rhonda Lenton, 91亚色 president and vice-chancellor. 鈥�91亚色 has centred a commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals in our academic plans including providing seed funds for projects that enhance programs on sustainability, experiential education activities for students, research grants and international collaboration culminating in our achievement in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025.鈥�

The QS Sustainability Ranking encompasses measures of environmental impact, including environmental sustainability, environmental education and environmental research, and highlights universities around the globe that not only demonstrate a commitment to a better planet, but are acting on that commitment.

91亚色 has been an international leader in sustainability since its earliest days. In 1968, it established the country鈥檚 first Faculty of Environmental Studies, now the , along with the first major post-secondary recycling program. In 2020, it opened a dedicated Office of Sustainability to guide its efforts toward becoming one of the most sustainable universities in the world.

The University strives to achieve its values of equity, social justice and sustainability in everything it does. In June, 91亚色 moved up five places to rank 35th in the world in the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, which assess universities around the world against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in research, stewardship, outreach and teaching. It also shot up 19 spots for zero poverty (SDG 1) to number two in the world and number one in Canada, while also taking the top spot in Canada for reduced inequalities (SDG 10) and 13th for sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11).

91亚色 also developed a Sustainability Toolkit to help infuse teaching and learning about the 17 SDGs into classrooms across the University.

This fall, 91亚色 was the first post-secondary institution in Ontario to run all electric shuttle buses between its local campuses, joining the University鈥檚 existing green fleet. It鈥檚 another example of its increasingly strong reputation as a leader in sustainability and how it鈥檚 making strides towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.

91亚色 was also recognized this year as Canada鈥檚 Best Diversity and Canada鈥檚 Greenest Employers, which acknowledges the University's work with its as a proof of its commitment. A first this year, was the World Wildlife Fund-Canada Living Campus designation, which recognizes the work of post-secondary institutions for their leadership in engaging communities in conservation action and education.

In addition to its newly launched Sustainability Strategy, 91亚色 also has a Well-being Strategy that helps ensure the health and well-being of its communities across all campuses.

As a multi-campus university with three Toronto campuses 鈥� Keele, Glendon and Markham 鈥� along with its in Costa Rica (an example of living the values of sustainability and community partnership and engagement) and another in Hyderabad, India, 91亚色 takes sustainability and the well-being of its communities seriously.

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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. 91亚色, 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 鈥�Tentanda via 鈥� the way must be tried鈥�.

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

鈥淎s a global community, we are at an inflection point for the climate crisis. While the Earth鈥檚 climate system continues to worsen, there is still time to change course, and is up to us all to take action,鈥� says Rhonda Lenton, 91亚色 president and vice-chancellor. 鈥淲ith this new strategy, developed through consultations with the 91亚色 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.鈥�

As a living document, the strategy will guide 91亚色鈥檚 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. 91亚色 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.

鈥�91亚色 has a history of leading on sustainability in our teaching, research, and operations,鈥� says Mike Layton, chief sustainability officer in 91亚色鈥檚 Office of Sustainability. 鈥�91亚色 is well positioned with a global reputation as a leader in sustainability and as a university that does more than educate and research 鈥� 91亚色 trains a community of changemakers.鈥�

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, 91亚色 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. 91亚色 sees sustainability as a core value in all its teaching and research, as well as its campus operations. Under it鈥檚 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, 91亚色 has diverted some 700,000 tonnes of GHG emissions in just over two decades.

In 2015, 91亚色 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 91亚色鈥檚 strategy.

By mobilizing students, faculty, staff, alumni and the external community, 91亚色 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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