York University continues to be a leader in sustainability, scoring in the top six per cent of universities internationally and in the top three per cent across Canada in the latest QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026.
York jumped one spot in Canada out of 41 universities and is in the top 100 for social impact and top 101 for governance, 26th for equality.
The University held steady despite the number of competitor institutions in this year's rankings increasing by almost 300 internationally and by nine in Canada.
"York University has a long-standing commitment to sustainability that is woven into the fabric of our institution, our academic programs, and research priorities. Being recognized in the top six per cent of universities worldwide and the top three per cent in Canada in this ranking reflects the collective efforts of our entire community. We are especially proud to rank fourth in Canada for equality and to be among the top 15 for environmental impact, social impact, and governance," said Rhonda Lenton, president and vice-chancellor of York.
"Sustainability is a core value of the University that has been incorporated into our vision to drive positive change for people and the planet including innovative projects on renaturalization, Indigenous plant species and pollinator habitats. York remains steadfast in our mission to build a more equitable and sustainable future for all."
In Canada, York ranks in fourth place for equality and in the top 15 for environmental impact, social impact and governance.
The QS Sustainability Ranking encompasses measures of environmental impact, including environmental sustainability, environmental education and environmental research, and highlights universities around the globe that not only demonstrate a commitment to a better planet, but are acting on that commitment.
Earlier this year, the University scored 15 subject areas in the top 10 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. It also moved up 29 spots globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings.
In addition, York earned a top 40 spot in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings results, demonstrating its leadership in achieving high results in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
For the second consecutive time, the University was recognized with a Living Campus certification by the World Wildlife Fund, further highlighting its commitment to sustainability across all of its campuses. York continues to support renaturalization and ecological regeneration plans focusing on Indigenous plant species, creating pollinator habitats and planting more than 578 native plants and 238 native trees across the Keele and Glendon campuses.
For more than a decade, York has been named as one of Canada's Greenest Employers and for the second consecutive year it also made the list for Canada's Best Diversity Employers.
York has been an international leader in sustainability since its earliest days. In 1968, it established the country's first Faculty of Environmental Studies, now the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, along with the first major post-secondary recycling program.
In 2024, the University launched its newly revised Sustainability Strategy 2030, Positive Change: Connecting People, Planet and Purpose with a goal to reduce its direct and indirect emissions and phase out carbon emissions. It also developed a Sustainability Toolkit to help bring teaching and learning about the 17 SDGs into classrooms and a Well-being Strategy to address the health and well-being of its communities across all campuses.
