Approximately 80 per cent of the University community travel to York U by alternative transportation (public transit, carpooling, walking, cycling)
For the fifth year running, York University has ranked among the top 10 per cent of universities in the 2014 GreenMetric World University Ranking on sustainability. The results of the 2014 survey were released last week, and included over 360 universities from 62 countries around the world.
The GreenMetric survey rates participating universities on criteria such as energy consumption and climate change mitigation, waste and water management, transportation, and teaching and research in sustainability.
“We continue to take our commitment to sustainability very seriously here at York,” said Mamdouh Shoukri, president & vice-chancellor of York University. “So, while these results are validation of the extensive work that we have done over the past several years, we are reminded that we must continue these efforts to keep up with the other global leaders on this list.”
The University of Nottingham from the United Kingdom placed first overall in the ranking, while the University College of Cork in Ireland placed second. The Universite de Sherbrooke was the top Canadian school in 14th place, with York ranking second amongst Canadian schools in the survey.
York received high scores in all categories, doing particularly well on waste management, water and transportation.
Some of York’s recent achievements in sustainability include:
- a 30 per cent reduction in energy use since 2007;
- a 66 per cent waste diversion rate;
- approximately 80 per cent of the University community members travel to the campus by alternative transportation (public transit, carpooling, walking, cycling), and;
- more than 500 courses related to environment and sustainability.
The Life Sciences Building on the Keele campus features many energy efficient systems. The flowers pictured in front of the building grow on a neighbouring green roof.
“Aside from a long history of teaching and learning on sustainability at York, the University has a wide variety of programs focusing on sustainability in the areas of waste management, energy conservation, transportation, purchasing, and community engagement. It is encouraging to see how we stack up against other universities from around the world”, said Professor Martin Bunch, the new Chair of the President’s Sustainability Council. “It’s also a good opportunity to look at best practices from the other leaders in the survey, to see how we can continue to improve.”
For more information on sustainability initiatives at York, visit the Sustainability website, the Campus Services & Business Operations website, or e-mail sustainability@yorku.ca.