The Environment

A sustainable future that preserves our natural riches and drives prosperity through clean technology and a green workforce.

Climate change is perhaps the biggest threat facing our planet today, setting challenges that affect every corner of the globe and demand action from everyone on it, including universities. Ontario’s universities recognize that they must be active partners in the fight against climate change, in order to ensure all Ontarians benefit from a sustainable and prosperous future.

The Environment (pdf)
Key Facts
17
Out of 21 Ontario universities have added research initiatives or institutes on sustainability since 2013
12
Out of 17 surveyed Ontario universities generate on-site renewable energy
  • Protecting our environment and building a sustainable future requires a commitment from all industry sectors.
  • It requires a commitment to clean energy and energy efficiency. According to recent studies, “less than 40 per cent of primary energy production typically ends up in the form of useful energy."
  • Ensuring buildings new and old are up to the highest environmental standards is also central to reducing emissions. Two-thirds of greenhouse gas reductions will come from retrofits to existing building stock, according to a recent study.
  • Ontario’s universities are actively engaged in enhancing sustainability. A survey of 17 campuses found that 12 generate on-site renewable energy and all surveyed universities have buildings built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Standards.
  • Technology is also essential to facing climate change. University research is helping create smart technologies that reduce energy use, while partnerships with industries are resulting in sustainable new ways of working that help create a green economy.
  • Building a sustainable province also requires changes to personal behaviour. On our campuses, it is often our students who guide the way. Further research and social innovation can develop new approaches to help Ontarians build the path to sustainability.
  • By partnering across sectors to perform this wide range of work, Ontario can build a future that’s both sustainable and prosperous. As the Federation of Canadian Municipalities has argued, the benefits of a green economy “would be spread across Canada, in both large and small communities, rather than being isolated in one or a few pockets."
“Canada has certain advantages in facing this transition [to a low-carbon economy]. It is already a large producer of renewable energy, notably hydroelectric power. And, given our highly educated population, Canada has the capacity to innovate in green technologies.”
- Timothy Lane, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada
Making an Impact
on the environment
Brock partnering to preserve the Niagara River environment
Future Maker Story
Pierre Pariseau-Legault
Pierre Pariseau-Legault
University
Researcher profile
A new era of health research in Kingston
Future Maker Story
What Ontario Universities
Are Doing

Ontario’s universities are drawing on the broad strengths and expertise of our students, staff, researchers and faculty to help address Ontario’s environmental challenges. Some of the work taking place includes:

Increasing the energy efficiency of older buildings and other initiatives that ensure our campuses meet the highest environmental standards. Students’ passion for environmental change also helps drive our initiatives, leading to great ideas like sustainable, green-roofed pavilions and bicycle shelters powered by solar panels, in an effort to shrink university campuses’ carbon footprint.

col-head-1

Collaborative work is also underway between universities, local government agencies and other organizations to help communities adapt to a changing climate. For example, this work is helping address flood risk in homes and helping municipalities plan for and address extreme weather events.

Since 2013, 17 of Ontario’s 21 universities have added new research initiatives or institutes on sustainability. Research on new biofuels and clean energy sources, electric vehicles and related technology, construction and low carbon homes are ongoing, and are just some of the ways that Ontario’s universities work directly with industry and government to ensure tomorrow’s economy is both sustainable and prosperous.

How Government Can Help
  • Support clean technology

    Support advancements in clean technology and climate science that will move the results of university research into businesses and communities, helping all Ontarians bring greater energy efficiency and sustainability into their homes and offices.

  • Encourage conservation

    Encourage conservation and energy efficiency through funding to repair or retrofit aging infrastructure, with dedicated investments to postsecondary institutions.

Partnering for a Better Future
By supporting energy efficiency, developing new technology, implementing green policies and sparking partnerships across all sectors, Ontario can become a world leader in sustainability and ensure that Ontarians in the future benefit from a thriving green economy and clean rivers, forests, lakes and parks for all to enjoy.
Read the Report

In our report, you will find a comprehensive summary of what we heard from Ontarians and how Ontario's universities are working across all sectors to help students thrive, support our communities, and drive a growing, dynamic province.

summary report
full report
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Resources

Browse through reports and related materials to find out about Ontario universities' role in everything ranging from university graduate employment to family medicine and community transformation.

Resources: Health Care
Ontarians' Priority Issues