York University remains among top sustainable academic institutions in world
TORONTO, Dec. 10, 2024 – York University excels in sustainability, holding its position in the top 120 in the world in the latest QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025, 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 York’s 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.
“It 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,” says Rhonda Lenton, York University president and vice-chancellor. “York University 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.”
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.
York has been an international leader in sustainability since its earliest days. In 1968, it established the country’s first Faculty of Environmental Studies, now the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, 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, York 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).
York also developed a Sustainability Toolkit to help infuse teaching and learning about the 17 SDGs into classrooms across the University.
This fall, York was the first post-secondary institution in Ontario to run all electric shuttle buses between its local campuses, joining the University’s existing green fleet. It’s another example of its increasingly strong reputation as a leader in sustainability and how it’s making strides towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.
York was also recognized this year as Canada’s Best Diversity and Canada’s Greenest Employers, which acknowledges the University's work with its Ecological Footprint Initiative 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, York 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 – Keele, Glendon and Markham – along with its Las Nubes EcoCampus in Costa Rica (an example of living the values of sustainability and community partnership and engagement) and another in Hyderabad, India, York takes sustainability and the well-being of its communities seriously.
