15 January 2017

The Université de Sherbrooke continues to excel on the international scene in sustainable development: it is the leading university in Canada in this field and came in 18^th in the Universitas Indonesia GreenMetric World University Ranking (WUR).

This marks the fifth consecutive year that the UdeS has ranked first in Canada.

The GreenMetric WUR assesses six performance indicators, broken down into 38 criteria: Campus Setting and Infrastructure, Energy and Climate Change, Waste, Water Management, Transportation, and Education and Research.

The Université de Sherbrooke obtained a total score of 6906 points. 516 universities in 74 countries participated in the 2016 ranking.

The UdeS particularly stood out for the quality of its waste management, with 1800 points—the maximum possible score. It also took the first rank in Canada for its energy and climate change management.

Among the numerous initiatives undertaken by the UdeS to ensure its campuses are managed responsibly, the following should be noted:

• Full composting of organic material
• Using compost for horticultural work
• Installing waste management centres on the campuses
• Using compostable tableware
• No longer selling bottled water
• Using 100% recycled paper
• Developing of green spaces and community gardens
• Tree planting bees
• 30% GHG reduction since 1990 and 34% reduction in energy intensity
• Free access to public transportation
• Transportation electrification
• Adoption of a Sustainable Mobility Plan

Source: Université de Sherbrooke
Photo credits: UdeS – Michel Caron