Sustainable Development Goals at the University of Toronto. A conceptual report for 2022.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

The four flagship sustainability programs at the University are documented on the sustainability website, they are:

  • Divestment from fossil fuel investments
  • Climate Positive Plan
  • Sustainability Pathways
  • Campus as a Living Lab and Community Engaged Learning Projects

The broader aspects of sustainability are also a priority for the The President’s Advisory Committee on the Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainability (CECCS) and the committee’s Annual Reports document many aspects relating to the SDGs at the University of Toronto. Other significant activities of the committee include: the Adams Sustainability Celebration an annual event series is to celebrate successes, inspire new activities, build relationships, and collaboratively deepen campus engagement around sustainability. And the Sustainability and SDG inventories  where a variety of courses, programs, thesis, and research units index for their relevance to sustainability and the SDGs.

In addition to the CECCS the Tri-campus Sustainability Offices are on a mission to develop and promote a culture of sustainability and a broad range of initiatives through the engagement of each local community.

Sustainable Development Goals at the University of Toronto

The following reports document some key data points about the University of Toronto’s key activities to support each of the SDGs. Each report follows a common template and includes data and information about four different aspects of the University’s mission: Research & innovation, Teaching, Operations & support, and Outreach & partnership. Although the data represented in these reports is accurate and up-to-date it is by no means exhaustive and there are a wide array of activities and actions to support the SDGs occurring across the University every day. If you would like to add more information to these reports please contact Simon Pratt, Director – Research Strategy & Excellence (sm.pratt@utoronto.ca).

Data summary in tabular format