Across U of T, all three campuses have been making strides in their efforts to make a greener campus through various plans and sustainability initiatives. For this year’s climate issue, The Varsity looked at the various initiatives around each campus that make U of T the most sustainable school in the world.

U of T initiatives 

In 2024, the QS Rankings awarded U of T the number one spot for sustainability over more than 1,400 institutions across 95 countries. Specifically, the QS Rankings lauded U of T for its commitment to positive social and environmental impact.

Nearly 30 per cent of all undergraduate courses at U of T in 2023–24 are sustainability-oriented: up from 25 per cent the previous year.

Currently, undergraduate students in all programs can participate in the Sustainability Pathways program, which allows them to explore sustainability from various educational lenses and perspectives. Undergraduate and graduate students can also contribute to real-world sustainability initiatives on campus through the Campus as a Living Lab.

Making the tri-campuses green again

In 2021, UTSG committed to becoming climate positive by 2050. This means not only eliminating all harmful emissions but also removing a percentage of personal greenhouse gas output from the atmosphere. “We will achieve our 2050 climate positive goal through at least 80[per cent] absolute carbon reductions on-campus,” the university claims on its website.

The plan highlights initiatives for 2024 to expand sustainability on campus, including adding more solar panels for buildings such as the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.

Despite being U of T’s youngest campus, UTM is firmly set in sustainable practices. For instance, with the help of the UTM Sustainability Office, UTM students can now rent bicycles for up to one week free of charge from April to the end of October. 

UTM also has a Sustainability Strategic Plan, which aims to “foster the culture of sustainability necessary to become a world leader in sustainable practice.” The five pillars of this plan include academic programs and curriculum; research; campus engagement; civic engagement; and human resources and infrastructure. Some of the main goals are to support campus engagement activities and strengthen collaborations with neighbouring schools to promote sustainability. 

UTSC is no different from the other two campuses when it comes to sustainability. It has its own on-campus vermicompost, where food waste is collected, shredded, and then harvested by earthworms. The worms then turn the food into fertilizer, which is redistributed to farms and gardens on campus.

There’s also a Biking for Community — Bike Share Program, a free bicycle rental service that offers students alternatives to getting around campus. Bike Share is open until October 25 and must be returned at 4:30 pm on the same day as the rental.