Like hundreds of our peers, McGill utilizes the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS®) to evaluate its sustainability efforts. Validated by an independent panel of sustainability experts, the framework is among the most widely recognized benchmarking framework for sustainability performance in higher education as it ensures impartial assessment and credibility in evaluating sustainability practices.

The framework is built around four categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations, and Planning & Administration, with bonus points available in the area of Innovation & Leadership.

There are five levels of recognition for STARS®:  

• Reporter  
• Bronze: minimum score of 25 
• Silver: minimum score of 45 
• Gold: minimum score of 65 
• Platinum: minimum score of 85 
   

The STARS® program is not just about checking boxes to obtain points. It was designed to evolve over time to reflect the latest challenges in campus sustainability. The revision process takes place every three to five years and involves members of the campus sustainability community. 

Over 1,100 universities across North America and beyond have registered in the STARS® program, making it easier to develop and share best practices among institutions. STARS® can also be used to inform university policy and procedures, creating lasting, sustainable change over time. 

Achieving Platinum means obtaining 85 percent, or more, of available points in the STARS® framework. In 2024, McGill earned 86.26% of available points by embedding sustainability in its academic, operational, and governance units, as well as effectively engaging students, staff, and faculty in sustainability initiatives across the campuses.

Achieving our Platinum rating was a collaborative effort by all members of the McGill community, including students, staff, and faculty. The University improved in two major areas over the past 4 years:

• Sustainability in Learning
  • Adopted a sustainability learning outcome
  • Implemented a sustainability literacy assessment
• Sustainable Buildings
  • Sustainable building design standards and certifications
  • Tracking and diverting construction waste
  • Reduced energy consumption

The STARS® framework continues to evolve over time to recognize the different contexts in which institutions operate, while maintaining a level of standardization so that universities’ sustainability efforts can be meaningfully compared. As institutions improve and score higher ratings, the framework is also modified according to best practices so that institutions can continue to grow their efforts to meet new sustainability challenges. Since 2010, there have been five versions.

The constant evolution of the STARS® program is essential and challenging. Cultures at large institutions tend to evolve slowly, and sustainability policies and processes can take a long time to implement. By contrast, AASHE updates the STARS® framework approximately every three years. As such, McGill has been striving to continually implement best practices that have improved its score. 

Other considerations include the silo effect in universities, which makes cross-unit collaborations challenging, and the coordination of communications with over 30 data-providing units and over 50 individual contributors.
Our Platinum rating is a testament to the McGill community’s commitment to sustainability excellence across the University’s campuses. 

Achieving a Platinum STARS® rating does not mean that the University’s sustainability efforts are over. The release of the next iteration of STARS® will necessitate thoughtful and ongoing implementation of new sustainability initiatives.