Thursday, December 10, 2020, Peterborough

Trent University continues to build on its reputation as a world-leading environmental university, having been named #3 in Canada, and among the top 100 most sustainable university campuses worldwide, in the 2020 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings.

“This latest GreenMetric ranking sets another significant benchmark for Trent University’s green initiatives,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent’s president and vice-chancellor. “At Trent we pride ourselves on our reputation as a leading university for environmental teaching and research. This ranking recognizes and affirms green initiatives, such as our new zero-carbon certified Forensics Crime Scene Facility, our ongoing partnership with Cleantech Commons, set to become Canada’s premier green technology research and innovation site, and our Lands Plan which commits a remarkable 60 percent of our land to natural and green spaces.”

The GreenMetric ranking is the first and only university rankings in the world that measures participating universities’ commitment in developing environmentally friendly infrastructure. The ranking is based on performance across six categories: education and research, setting and infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, and transportation. This year, 912 universities (11 from Canada) participated in the global ranking, up 132 from 2019.

Trent University takes particular pride in its ranking as second in Canada for setting and infrastructure (83rd globally). Trent’s leadership in this area is highlighted through the draft Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan. Julie Davis, vice-president of External Relations & Advancement at Trent, shared the vision for the plan with delegates at the sixth International (Virtual) Workshop on UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. The plan seeks to demonstrate leadership in conserving and stewarding Trent’s extensive natural environment, while building vital campus and community infrastructure in ways that not only minimize impact to the environment, but create net benefit to the ecosystem. The plan lays out a connected University Green Network and a series of specific actions to enhance habitat and ecosystems.

The rankings also positioned Trent as #2 in Canada, and 17th worldwide, in the waste category, as well as #3 in Canada and 70th overall in the education and research category. As one of Canada’s top postsecondary environmental institutions, Trent offers a large number of sustainability and environment focused courses and programs.

The University operates several on-campus green initiatives, including its rooftop and vegetable gardens, as well as sustainability-focused eateries, such as the Seasoned Spoon and its two “3 Star Certified Green Restaurants” at Lady Eaton College and Gzowski College.

“Trent’s placement highlights what a team effort sustainability is,” says Shelley Strain, sustainability coordinator at Trent. “The survey captures the University’s green spirit by including aspects such as the sustainability-related groups on campus and green events hosted by the Trent community. Even at an individual level, students and staff contribute through their actions every day by turning off lights, conserving water, recycling and composting – these choices add up across campus and contribute to our positive GreenMetric results each year.”