TORONTO, Jan. 10, 2012 – York University has ranked first in a global campus sustainability survey among Canadian universities and 14th in the world. This is the second year in a row that York has ranked number one in Canada.
The 2011 UI GreenMetric Ranking of World Universities rated participating universities in 42 countries based on criteria such as energy consumption, commuting practices, waste and water management, percentage of green space on campus, and the application of eco-sustainability policies and efforts.
“York University continues to strive to be at the forefront of sustainability strategies,” said Mamdouh Shoukri, president & vice-chancellor of York University. “Our first-place ranking in Canada by the GreenMetric World University Ranking demonstrates that we are committed to enhancing our environmentally and socially responsible practices for the benefit of all members of our community."
The University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom placed first overall in the ranking, while Northeastern University and the University of Connecticut from the United States placed second and third.
From 2006 to 2011, York University has met or bettered its sustainability targets, while increasing enrolment and adding new buildings to both the Keele and Glendon campuses.
“This is testament to the excellent work of students, faculty and staff on sustainability issues here at York”, said Professor Ilan Kapoor, chair of the President’s Sustainability Council. “This is only the beginning, and clearly demonstrates that we are on the right track.” See Video
York’s recent achievements in the area of sustainability include:
− The design and construction of seven campus buildings to green building standards in the last 10 years, including the Lassonde Building, which was the first green building constructed in Ontario. This, along with the retrofitting of lighting, heating, cooling and water fixtures in older buildings, has enabled the University to achieve a 20 per cent reduction in energy usage between 2007 and 2010, totaling more than 60-million kilowatt hours of electricity during that time − enough energy to power over 2,000 Ontario homes for an entire year.
− A 50 per cent reduction in single occupancy vehicle use by the York community over the past 10 years. Currently, approximately two-thirds of York community members commute to campus by environmentally preferable means, including walking, cycling, public transit and carpooling. York also operates a free campus shuttle service, offers a discount on public transit passes and awards incentives to carpoolers. Cyclists can make use of bike racks, indoor monitored bike parking and shower facilities.
− A 70 per cent increase in waste diversion rates between 2004 and 2010, resulting in more than 10 million kilograms of recyclable and compostable materials being diverted from landfills. Over the past year, York has increased its food waste composting program by approximately 20 per cent, and significant increases were also found in the recycling of building materials and furnishings with a 50 per cent increase in scrap wood and 45 per cent increase in scrap metal recycling.
− A broad curriculum of sustainability programs, with over 350 undergraduate and graduate courses that focus on environment and sustainability across several Faculties including the Faculty of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Education, Schulich School of Business and Osgoode Hall Law School.
York University is a leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto – Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 55,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 250,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 Faculties and 28 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.
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Media Contact:
Wallace Pidgeon, Director, Media Relations, 416-736-2100 ext. 22091
wpidgeon@yorku.ca
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