Sustainability

U of T's Sustainability Pathways Program recognized by Quacquarelli Symonds

rahul.kalvapalle — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 15:32:20 +0000

U of T's Sustainability Pathways Program recognized by Quacquarelli Symonds

Teaching

Community

rahul.kalvapalle Wed, 12/18/2024 - 10:32

landscape

The University of Toronto's Sustainability Pathways Program, an initiative of the President's Advisory Committee on the Environment, Climate Change and Sustainability (CECCS), was shortlisted for a 2024 QS Reimagine Education Award.

Given by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the Reimagine Education Awards honour innovative pedagogical approaches that boost learning outcomes and employability, as well as effective methods of teaching sustainability.

U of T's Sustainability Pathways Program was shortlisted in the category of sustainability literacy. The program combines courses, co-curricular activities, campus-as-a-living lab projects and capstone leadership training to educate students across U of T's three campuses.

“Our goal is to ‘reach the rest’ – students who would not otherwise engage with sustainability as part of their degrees," said John Robinson, CECCS co-chair and professor in the School of the Environment and Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. "This approach is helping to shape the next generation of sustainability leaders, regardless of their field of study, while also providing a transformative educational experience for students.”

The recognition comes after U of T was named the most sustainable university in the world by QS for the second year in a row.

Read the CECCS announcement

Watch the CECCS video about the Sustainability Pathways Program

UTC

Top Story (Hub page)

Off

U of T recognized by City of Toronto for sustainability practices

rahul.kalvapalle — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 21:19:15 +0000

U of T recognized by City of Toronto for sustainability practices

Community

rahul.kalvapalle Tue, 11/26/2024 - 16:19

landscape

Catherine Thorn (L) and Scott Hendershot (photo by Zoe Kelsey)

The University of Toronto has received a congratulatory scroll from the City of Toronto in recognition of its leadership in sustainability.

U of T was awarded the scroll for its contributions as a founding member of the Green Will Initiative, which brings together large organizations that are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the City of Toronto’s net-zero strategy.

The scroll was presented by Toronto’s Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie at Hart House and accepted by Scott Hendershot, senior manager at U of T’s Sustainability Office, and Catherine Thorn, director, sustainability and energy management, on behalf of the university.

“U of T is proud to take on a leadership role in advancing environmental sustainability in the region by undertaking initiatives that deliver dramatic and rapid emissions reductions,” said Ron Saporta, chief operating officer, property services and sustainability. “Today’s recognition affirms that we’re on the right track as we pursue our ambition of becoming climate-positive, and in doing so, support the City of Toronto’s aggressive climate action strategy.”

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with our colleagues in the City of Toronto to further advance our shared aim of a more sustainable future.”

Learn more about sustainability at U of T

Learn more about the Green Will Initiative

UTC

Top Story (Hub page)

Off

Ron Saporta receives Clean50, Clean16 awards

lanthierj — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 15:21:18 +0000

Ron Saporta receives Clean50, Clean16 awards

Community

lanthierj Thu, 10/13/2022 - 11:21

landscape

Ron Saporta, chief operating officer at the University of Toronto’s Facilities & Services, has been named a 2023 Canada's Clean16 and Clean50 honouree by Delta Management Group.

The Clean50 awards recognize sustainability leaders in Canada across 16 industry categories – with the leader in each category receiving the Clean16.

“As an environmental engineer and an alumnus of U of T, I am grateful for the rare opportunity to work on a lifelong passion – bettering our environment with technology and innovation – alongside excellent and dedicated colleagues,” Saporta said. “We have rolled up our sleeves and are excited to make progress on our Climate Positive Campus plan, which I hope can serve as a model for other organizations to reimagine and rebuild their infrastructure in our efforts against climate change.”

Delta Management Group said Saporta was selected for leading the St. George campus with a sustainability strategy that seeks to make it a climate-positive and greenhouse gases-negative campus by 2050.

“I’m thrilled that Ron is being recognized for his sustainability leadership. In only four years as chief operating officer, Ron has generated real momentum in rethinking how our downtown campus can operate without a carbon footprint,” said Scott Mabury, U of T’s vice-president, operations and real estate partnerships. “Together with academic leadership and his talented team, he launched the university’s plan for the St. George campus to become climate positive by 2050. I’m grateful to have Ron at the helm as we completely transform our infrastructure and energy systems.”

U of T laneway, infill homes win 2021 Canadian Green Building Award

lanthierj — Wed, 05 May 2021 17:48:52 +0000

U of T laneway, infill homes win 2021 Canadian Green Building Award

Community

lanthierj Wed, 05/05/2021 - 13:48

Staff

St. George

Canadian Green Building Award

Sustainability

landscape

(Photo by Lisa Lightbourn)

A University of Toronto pilot project introducing three unique homes to the St. George campus – including two in a laneway near Robarts Library – has received a 2021 Canadian Green Building Award.

“The project arose from a planning study led by the University of Toronto and the Huron Sussex community recommending creative housing that respects the neighbourhood’s green canopy and Victorian character,” says Gloria Cuneo, director, University Family Housing, Ancillary Services.

The university and Baird Sampson Neuert Architects arrived at energy-efficient prototypes through community consultations. The jury applauded their smart use of limited space.

“The municipality, the University of Toronto and the design team are all to be commended for attempting this kind of gentle densification in a heritage district,” the jury wrote.

“The resulting ‘livable lane’ environment and the remarkable achievement of net zero energy and near Passive House performance in such a tight urban context, takes Toronto’s laneway housing to the next level.”

The two laneway houses will be used to accommodate student families through U of T’s University Family Housing department, while the infill house will be occupied by faculty. And, with opportunities for up to 40 similar homes in the neighbourhood, U of T needs to know “what to repeat and what to improve,” says Scott Mabury, vice-president, operations and real estate partnerships.

“We’ll talk with the current residents of these homes as well as with the community, building a knowledge base that will guide our design and construction decisions in the future.”

Read about the project at U of T News

UTC

Top Story (Hub page)

Off

Sustainability

U of T's Sustainability Pathways Program recognized by Quacquarelli Symonds

Read the CECCS announcement

Watch the CECCS video about the Sustainability Pathways Program

U of T recognized by City of Toronto for sustainability practices

Learn more about sustainability at U of T

Learn more about the Green Will Initiative

Ron Saporta receives Clean50, Clean16 awards

Read more about the awards

U of T laneway, infill homes win 2021 Canadian Green Building Award

Read about the project at U of T News