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Net Zero by 2040

Our goals align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 13 – Climate Action.

York is advancing bold new sustainability goals to shrink its carbon footprint and increase transparency and accountability.

York University is an international leader in sustainability-related research, teaching, partnerships, and campus practices.  

As the third-largest university in Canada, York has an extensive history demonstrating a commitment to sustainability that has garnered much recognition, including a spot on Canada’s Greenest Employers list for 11 consecutive years and consistent annual high scores for the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. 

With bold ambition to build on its strong foundation to become one of the most sustainable institutions in Canada, York University is accelerating its timeline and aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 – a decade sooner than its previous commitment. 

Our goals align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 13 – Climate Action, and to the University’s Academic Plan 2020-2025 University-wide challenge which is focused on creating an impact on the SDGs to create positive change, locally and globally, for York’s students, the communities we serve, and the world around us.
Here’s how we’re going to meet those goals:

Measure Our Footprint

Measure our greenhouse gas emissions and ecological footprint to assess and manage reductions. Report on broader sustainability goals in collaboration with the Ecological Footprint Initiative.

Energy Management Plan

Implement an Energy Management Plan to accelerate greenhouse gas emission reductions from the University’s central utilities and deep retrofits to buildings.

Community Partnerships

Partner with other stakeholders such as the City of Toronto and the Green Will Initiative, a network of property owners working together towards achieving Toronto’s net-zero emissions target.

Climate Awareness Campaign

Generate community engagement, action and research, using York’s campuses as ‘living labs’ through experiential education.

Interested in learning more?

If you have any questions or suggestions, or if you would like to get involved by becoming a sustainability champion, please email sustainability@yorku.ca.