Hamilton’s McMaster 78th in world sustainability rankings; University of Toronto takes #1 spot

The University of Toronto has been recognized as the most sustainable university in the world in a new ranking.

The school was one of three Canadian universities in the top ten and 13 in the top 100 in the rankings, compiled by Quacquarelli Symonds, a British higher education analytics firm.

McMaster University of Hamilton placed 78th, the tenth-ranked Canadian school.

The QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024, which evaluates post-secondary institutions for their environmental impact, social impact and governance, features nearly 1,400 global universities.

U of T rose from second place in last year’s ranking, with the University of California- Berkeley taking the top spot in that edition.

The method tracks how post-secondary institutions tackle the world’s most prominent environmental, social and governance challenges. U of T was ranked third for environmental and seventh for social impact.

The environmental impact category comprises sustainable education, sustainable institutions and sustainable research, while the social impact category includes employment and opportunities, equality, life quality, impact of education and knowledge exchange.

Other Canadian universities to crack the list include the University of British Columbia (UBC), which placed fourth, Western University (London) in tenth, McGill University of  Montreal in 13th spot, the University of Alberta 28th and Queen’s University in Kingston in 64th place.

Calgary and Waterloo (68), Ottawa (72), Montreal (81), Saskatchewan (89) and Concordia of Montreal and Simon Fraser of Burnaby, B.C. (96) round out Canada’s top 100 contingent.

“The University of Toronto community is absolutely delighted by this recognition of our global leadership in sustainability,” said U of T President Meric Gertler. “It is a wonderful tribute to the innovation and commitment of the many U of T faculty, students, staff and alumni who are dedicated to meeting every aspect of this great challenge of the 21st century.

“They are demonstrating that effective action is possible on our campuses, in our communities and around the world.”