Trent University Ranked First in Canada for Sustainability Education & Research
Trent also maintains standing as third most sustainable university in Canada in 2021 UI GreenMetric World University Ranking
Trent University is one of Canada’s top three environmental universities and number one in Canada for sustainability education and research according to the 2021 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings.
“Trent prides itself on its commitment to positive outcomes for the natural environment, and is committed to the GreenMetric rankings because they are a way to judge what is working,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “Our bump up into the top spot in Canada for sustainability education and research can be attributed to a variety of academic developments this past year, which include new degree programs and specializations.”
The GreenMetric ranking is the first university ranking 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. Trent is among 956 universities from around the world that participated in this year’s global ranking.
This is the second year in a row Trent is ranked as the third most sustainable university in Canada and remains in the top 15 percent of sustainable universities worldwide across all six categories. This year’s rankings also position the University as #1 in Canada in the education and research category (up from #2 last year) and #2 in Canada in both the waste and setting and infrastructure categories.
The boost in standings follows Trent’s new ESG investment strategy for our endowment funds, which prioritizes assets in sectors, companies or projects that are taking active steps to address climate change, as well as many other key environmental highlights on campus, including: a new partnership with leading cleantech company Ameresco to install various energy efficiency upgrades; the launch of a new degree program in Climate Change Science & Policy; and the appointment of Trent’s first Tier I Canada Research Chair in Global Change of Freshwater Ecosystems.
Trent’s ranking for setting and infrastructure is bolstered by the University’s new zero-carbon certified Forensics Crime Scene Facility and the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan, officially approved in 2021, which commits 60 percent of our land to natural and green spaces.
“Despite some of the challenges that COVID-19 brought the post-secondary sector last year, Trent’s placement highlights how the University prioritizes sustainability efforts,” says Shelley Strain, sustainability coordinator at Trent. “We also saw increased global participation, and therefore competition, in the GreenMetric program this year, including more schools and new categories. It’s heartening to see the global effort going strong in challenging times.”
About the UI GreenMetric
UI GreenMetric World University Rankings is an annual publication of university rankings by UI GreenMetric. UI GreenMetric World University Rankings is a program from University of Indonesia that rank universities by their commitment and action towards going green and environmental sustainability. UI GreenMetric World University Rankings aims to increase awareness in universities towards sustainability.
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
Celia Grimbly, Communications & Media Relations Officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6180 or celiagrimbly@trentu.ca