Sustainability report showcases campuswide initiatives

From student-led green initiatives to exceeding the university's carbon reduction investment targets ahead of schedule, the report showcases a year's worth of progress and commitment to sustainability.

December 15, 2023

Image of trees in the forest
From student-led green initiatives to exceeding the university’s carbon reduction investment targets ahead of schedule, this year’s sustainability report showcases a year’s worth of progress and commitment to sustainability.

The third annual Sustainability Report shares student, faculty and staff initiatives that highlight McMaster’s commitment to transforming campus into a living laboratory for sustainability.

Featuring a podcast with the president, a robotic arm in space, repurposing pizza oven heat and students encouraging all of campus to BYOB, this report shares the university’s progress within the four strategic drivers:

  1. A Culture Focused on Sustainability
  2. Teaching, Learning and Research
  3. Self-Sustaining Campus and Sites and
  4. Operational Excellence.

“The diversity of stories in the Sustainability Report showcases the passion of the entire campus community and how there is cross-collaboration across many of these initiatives,” said Dave Cano, director of sustainability.

“When you bring up sustainability at McMaster, there is a genuine excitement for where we are headed.”

Sustainability is an integral part of McMaster’s institutional priorities, and the university has made strides in its Sustainability Strategy. This year, McMaster exceeded its carbon reduction investment targets two years ahead of schedule.

Earlier this year, Times Higher Education ranked McMaster 33rd in the world for our commitment to supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, specifically highlighting the work the institution has done to end poverty and hunger, reduce inequalities, improve health and education and build a more sustainable, equitable world.

McMaster has also ranked 78th in the world in the 2024 QS World University Sustainability Rankings released last week.

If you have a sustainability initiative you would like considered for next year’s report, please email sustainability@mcmaster.ca

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