TORONTO, April 22, 2015 – York University has been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers of 2015, an honour the university now has received three years in a row.
The award, which was announced today by Mediacorp Canada Inc., is given to employers who lead the nation in creating a culture of environmental awareness. First conceived nine years ago, it was given to only 60 organizations across Canada this year, including half a dozen universities.
“As a university committed to leadership in sustainability research, education and action, we are especially proud that our early efforts were recognized, and as this ongoing recognition affirms, we have continued to build on those efforts to innovate,” said York University President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “Today, we are not only reducing our ecological footprint, but conserving resources that can be invested in academic programming for our students.”
York University’s sustainability accomplishments to date include:
- a 30 per cent reduction in energy use since 2007
- a 66 per cent waste diversion rate since the university introduced a formal waste reduction program in 1990
- 80 per cent of York community members commuting by alternative transportation including public transit, carpooling, on foot or by bicycle
- a Farmers’ Market, introduced in 2013-14 and held weekly in 2014-15
- one of the first green buildings constructed on a university campus, in 2001, followed by seven new construction projects or renovations since then, including the LEED Silver certified Kaneff Tower
York also has an employee “Green Team” that includes Sustainability Ambassadors – students, faculty, staff and alumni who champion sustainability in their departments and help with campus-wide sustainability events, and the President’s Sustainability Council, which advises the President on how to advance sustainability. Recommendations for improving sustainability are detailed annual reports.
In addition to the Greenest Employer award, York has also once again been ranked second by Corporate Knights magazine on its Future 40 Responsible Corporate Leaders list for 2015.
York University is helping to shape the global thinkers and thinking that will define tomorrow. York U’s unwavering commitment to excellence reflects a rich diversity of perspectives and a strong sense of social responsibility that sets us apart. A York U degree empowers graduates to thrive in the world and achieve their life goals through a rigorous academic foundation balanced by real-world experiential education. As a globally recognized research centre. York U is fully engaged in the critical discussions that lead to innovative solutions to the most pressing local and global social challenges. York U’s 11 faculties and 25 research centres are thinking bigger, broader and more globally, partnering with 280 leading universities worldwide. York U’s community is strong − 55,000 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, and more than 275,000 alumni.
Media Contact:
Janice Walls, Media Relations, York University, 416 736 2100 ext. 22101 / wallsj@yorku.ca
