For the fourth year running, 91亚色 has ranked among the greenest universities on the planet, placing 13th聽overall in the on university sustainability. The 2013 survey included more than 300 universities from 61 countries around the world.
The GreenMetric Ranking rates participating universities on criteria such as energy consumption and climate change mitigation, waste and water management, transportation, and teaching and research in sustainability.
鈥淭his consistent recognition of 91亚色鈥檚 global leadership in sustainability reflects the strong commitment of our students, staff and faculty to be green innovators,鈥 said Mamdouh Shoukri, president & vice-chancellor of 91亚色. 鈥淚t also reinforces our determination to work together to reduce our ecological footprint.鈥
The University of Nottingham from the United Kingdom placed first overall in the ranking, while the University College of Cork in Ireland placed second, with Northeastern University in the United States in third.
91亚色 received high scores in all categories, doing particularly well on waste management, water conservation, transportation, energy conservation, and education.
鈥淲e continue to build a strong foundation of teaching, research, and action on sustainability here at 91亚色,鈥 said Professor Ilan Kapoor, chair of the President鈥檚 Sustainability Council. 鈥淚t is encouraging to receive this external validation, and it reminds us of our commitment to leadership in university sustainability.鈥
Aside from a long history of teaching and learning on sustainability at 91亚色, the University has a wide variety of programs focusing on sustainability in the areas of waste management, energy conservation, transportation, purchasing and community engagement.
鈥淥ur ongoing commitment to sustainability here at 91亚色 has wide-ranging benefits,鈥 said Richard Francki, assistant vice-president of Campus Services & Business Operations (CSBO). 鈥淣ot only are we protecting the natural environment for future generations, but we are also saving the University money through more efficient use of resources, and that is money that can be put back into academic programming.鈥
For more information on sustainability initiatives at 91亚色, visit the聽聽and the聽, or e-mail聽sustainability@yorku.ca.
Some of 91亚色鈥檚 recent achievements in sustainability:
- A 25 per cent reduction in energy use since 2007
- A 63 per cent waste diversion rate
- Approximately 80 per cent of the University community commuting by alternative transportation (public transit, carpooling, walking, cycling)
- More than 500 courses that are related to environment and sustainability.