University of Toronto ranked world’s most sustainable university

The University of Toronto is ranked the world’s most sustainable university for the second consecutive year, in large part because of its work to decarbonize its campuses. 

The rankings, by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), evaluated more than 1,700 universities from 107 countries based on their impact in areas such as environmental education and research, operational sustainability, equality and governance. ETH Zurich was ranked second, with the University of California, Berkeley (UCB), and Lund University in Sweden tying for third.

“I am thrilled that our university is once again ranked first in the world in the QS Sustainability Rankings,” said U of T president Meric Gertler in a statement. “The U of T community is profoundly committed to the advancement of sustainability as one of the most urgent challenges of our time.” 

Scott Mabury, vice-provost of academic operations and vice-president of operations and real estate partnerships at the University of Toronto, told Canada’s National Observer this recognition underscores the institution’s leading role in addressing environmental, social and governance challenges on a global scale.

Mabury, also a professor of environmental chemistry, said the university’s comprehensive approach serves as a model for others and demonstrates that sustainability is both achievable and essential for the future.

The analysis utilized data aligned with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and metrics from the OECD and the World Bank.

Initiatives that led to the recognition of U of T include Canada’s largest urban geoexchange project to decarbonize its St. George campus, a $138-million infrastructure project that aims to cut emissions in half within three years. The Mississauga campus transitioned its energy systems to electricity, while at the Scarborough campus, U of T now boasts Canada’s largest passive-certified building. According to Mabury, these efforts significantly reduce the university’s carbon footprint.

Mabury said the university integrates sustainability into its operations and academics, using the campus as a “living lab” for research and innovation. He explained that U of T empowers students through programs like Pathways, which allow sustainability to be integrated into any discipline, with 25 per cent of U of T’s courses already including a sustainability component. He also noted that the university supports research initiatives, such as a climate-positive interdisciplinary energy program and a grid modernization centre designed to enhance the efficiency of electrical systems.

According to Mabury, U of T’s climate commitments include achieving net-zero emissions across its campuses and its pledge to divest fossil fuel investments from its endowment fund, both of which have helped position the university at the top of global sustainability rankings.

U of T plans to maintain its status as the world’s most sustainable university, emphasizing its goal of achieving "climate-positive" status by removing more carbon than it emits.

He also noted that U of T will continue constructing highly efficient buildings and retrofitting existing ones.

The 2025 rankings also featured strong performances from other Canadian institutions, with the University of British Columbia tying for fifth globally, McGill University ranking 15th, and Western University placing 30th.