Four key ways TMU is addressing sustainability on our campus
Last year, the university launched its inaugural Sustainability Action Plan (opens in new window) to guide transformative change and empower our community members to contribute meaningfully towards a greener, more inclusive future. This Earth Day, we’re pleased to highlight four key ways TMU is making meaningful steps to achieve the goals outlined in the action plan.
1) TMU receives a STARS Gold rating
In recognition of the university’s commitment to sustainability, in July 2024 TMU achieved its first ever Gold Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). A self-reporting framework used by colleges and universities from across the globe to measure their sustainability performance, our Gold STARS rating reflects a significant improvement from our original Silver rating achieved in 2020.
As TMU continues to make progress towards achieving the goals outlined in the Sustainability Action Plan, the Sustainability Office continues to work towards raising the university’s rating to Platinum in our future STARS submissions.
2) Completion of TMU’s first decarbonization feasibility studies
While almost half of the energy currently used on campus comes from low- or no-carbon sources due to Ontario's low-carbon electricity grid, TMU has set an ambitious target of achieving net-zero Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
To help meet this goal, TMU completed comprehensive decarbonization feasibility studies in 2023-2024 to identify opportunities to improve building energy efficiency, transition building heating systems to low-carbon electric heat pumps and explore opportunities to adopt renewable energy sources like geothermal or wastewater heat recovery.
The findings of the studies identified 136 energy-saving and decarbonization opportunities for the university that will help us reduce emissions and transition to more sustainable energy sources.
3) Formation of 4 new sustainability subcommittees
Chaired by the Vice-President, Administration and Operations and made up of 21 students, faculty, administrative staff and Indigenous employees from across the university, TMU’s Climate Change and Sustainability Advisory Committee (CCSAC) proactively works to identify opportunities to advance climate action and sustainability on campus.
Since the launch of the Sustainability Action Plan, CCSAC formed four new subcommittees to address targeted sustainability priorities for the university. The new subcommittees include:
- Energy and Decarbonization Subcommittee
- Finance Subcommittee
- Platinum STARS Subcommittee
- Zero Waste and Circularity Subcommittee
4) Laying the groundwork for continued momentum on Sustainability Action Plan goals
Over the last year, TMU has been actively working towards the three long-term goals outlined in the university’s (PDF file) Sustainability Action Plan (opens in new window) . In the months since its publication, the Sustainability Office has been laying the groundwork necessary for implementing the 86 proposed actions identified in the plan, building the university’s capacity to adopt greener practices across our operations and developing new key strategic partnerships. The Sustainability Office has also been working with senior leaders to ensure that the sustainability objectives outlined in the plan are reflected in, and aligned with, core university strategies and priorities.
Highlights of this progress have included expanding the Waste Wizard program to an additional 250 four-stream waste receptacles on campus, making it even easier for community members to properly sort their waste and the introduction of the new Electronics Waste Recycling Program.
Review more in the 2023/2024 Sustainability Progress Report
This Earth Day, we’re pleased to also announce the release of the 2023 - 2024 Sustainability Progress Report. It serves as an important tool for measuring the progress we’re making to meet the bold and transformative goals outlined in the university’s five-year Sustainability Action Plan. The report provides a one year retrospective on the progress TMU made in 2023-2024 to further embed sustainability principles and practices throughout all areas of university activities, including academics, operations and engagement programming. It also includes reporting on key sustainability metrics for the university, illustrating year-on-year changes to TMU’s waste diversion rate, greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.
The findings of the report provide insights into where we’re making meaningful progress towards our sustainability targets, while also identifying areas of growth that require renewed attention.
Community members are encouraged to read the report to learn how TMU is championing climate justice and building a greener future for all Canadians.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the 2024 Sustainability Progress Report or would like to learn how you can get involved in sustainability efforts at TMU, please contact the Sustainability Office at sustainability@torontomu.ca.