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McGill’s journey in embedding climate and sustainability considerations into the University's activities is marked by numerous milestones that span decades. With the release of its fourth, Climate & Sustainability Strategy (2025-2030), the University continues to exemplify its long-term commitment to sustainability by outlining clear objectives and priorities that have progressively elevated the profile of sustainability at McGill. 

 

Global Sustainability Priorities

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has identified a triple planetary crisis that humanity currently faces. The global sustainability priorities identified by the UNFCCC form the foundation of McGill’s Climate & Sustainability Strategy 2025-2030, guiding the University’s commitments and actions as it works toward a more sustainable future for the McGill community and the world at large.

Areas of concern: pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change, the three catalyst's for this version of McGill's Climate and Sustainability Strategy.

Long-Term Commitments

Informed by the triple planetary crisis, the strategy details McGill’s five long-term sustainability commitments, which extend beyond the strategy’s timeframe. Each commitment includes a target for 2030, aligning with the strategy timeline.

“McGill University is steadfast in its commitment to excellence in sustainability.” - McGill President & Vice-Chancellor, Deep Saini.

Maintain Platinum Sustainability Rating

Maintaining our Platinum sustainability rating means that McGill must continue to embed sustainability in all areas and at every level. 

Zero-Waste by 2035

Becoming zero-waste means that McGill must reach a diversion rate of 90%.  

Carbon Neutrality by 2040

Achieving carbon neutrality means that McGill reaches net-zero greenhouse gas emissions through large-scale transformations.

 

 

Increase Climate Resilience

McGill’s operations and community have been, and will continue to be, affected by the changing climate. McGill will further pursue climate adaptation measures in its upcoming projects. It will also develop processes and programs to help prepare its community for a changing climate.

Become a Nature Positive University

McGill plays a unique role in fostering biodiversity, particularly through its various properties, which support a wide variety of species. To continue fostering biodiversity on its campuses, McGill will increasingly rely on a differentiated space management approach for its exterior spaces.

 

Action Plan Categories

The strategy presents an action plan detailing how the 2030 targets will be achieved. The actions are categorized into four key areas: learning & research, physical environment, resource management and community building. Each category includes a flagship action. These flagship actions stand out for their level of ambition, their potential to engage multiple stakeholders, and their significant contributions to achieving the category objectives.

Learning and Research

McGill’s core mission

Category objective: At McGill, we strive to be a leader in teaching, learning and research, creating and communicating the knowledge required for humanity to live sustainably at the local, regional and global levels. To tackle today’s sustainability challenges, we need innovative solutions and empowered global citizens. Here, some of the brightest minds are gathering to learn, research and engage with the McGill community and are using sustainability as a valuable lens for academic discourse.

Flagship action: Create a voluntary responsible travel contribution program to offset unavoidable emissions from directly-financed air travel.

Physical Environment

Where we work, study, research and connect

Category objective: The University’s buildings, campuses and lands are places where McGillians come together to make connections, build relationships, and advance learning and knowledge. Over the years, sustainability has been a cross-cutting and driving theme in the management of our natural and built environments. Guided by the Campus Master Plan, Biodiversity Plan 2030 and Design Standards, McGill’s work in this area carefully considers the unique environments at each of its campuses and on its protected lands.

Flagship action: Develop and implement a differentiated space management plan to foster biodiversity.

Resource Management

Resources used for work, study and research

Category objective: McGill acknowledges that the University must minimize its consumption of energy, water and material resources in recognition of the finite capacity of the biosphere. While the University cannot eliminate its need to acquire goods and services, it can reduce its consumption, carefully manage its assets, and rethink how it researches, works and studies.

Flagship action: Implement a centralized multi-stream waste collection system to improve waste sorting.

Community Building

Getting the McGill community involved

Category objective: McGill is committed to fostering a sustainable campus community by providing students, staff and faculty with meaningful opportunities to engage in sustainability initiatives. The University’s community-building activities in sustainability ensure that all McGillians have the chance to contribute to a better McGill and a better world in ways that make sense for them. Through these efforts, McGill can build an informed and engaged community ready to make a positive impact both on and off campus.

Flagship action: Embed climate adaptation solutions in policies and programs to increase and support the resilience of the McGill community.

 

 


How to Get Involved and Reporting

The successful implementation of McGill’s Climate & Sustainability Strategy 2025-2030 relies on distributed leadership across the University, ensuring ongoing collaboration from the entire McGill community. Ultimately, McGill’s Climate & Sustainability Strategy is an evolving document, continuously shaped by the voices and perspectives of students, staff and faculty. 

Getting Involved

To create meaningful, lasting change on campus, McGillians must actively contribute to implementing the Climate & Sustainability Strategy 2025-2030. Everyone has a role to play in helping the University get closer to achieving its sustainability goals—whether through everyday actions, collaborative initiatives, or innovative ideas. See below how different members of the community can contribute to the strategy’s success.

Figure 21 from the 2025-2030 Climate and Sustainability Strategy, list of ways to get involved.

Reporting Framework

An essential part of McGill’s Climate & Sustainability Strategy 2025-2030 is regular reporting on progress to ensure transparency. Achievements will be shared widely through annual reports, a sustainability dashboard and key performance indicators (KPIs). Furthermore, for each long-term commitment, a task force composed of students, staff and faculty will be created to monitor progress and keep efforts on track toward achieving the 2030 targets.

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