Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has solidified its position at the forefront of environmental sustainability efforts, once again taking the lead in several key areas among Canadian and international universities.
By earning top marks in the prestigious 2025 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI), TRU highlights its role as a pioneer in sustainability, reflecting its dedication to reducing its carbon footprint and landfill waste output, fostering renewable energy sources and implementing cutting-edge conservation strategies.
The SCI is a publication from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), an organization that recognizes top-performing sustainable colleges and universities across the US, Canada and 20 other countries.
Achievements and rankings
As in 2024, TRU claimed first place as the overall top performer among 80 Master's Institutions and secured a spot in the top 10 for Public Engagement. For the first time, the university also achieved first place in the Procurement and Waste category.
With an impressive score of 86.17 percent, TRU stood as the only Canadian university among the top ten Master's Institutions, uniquely maintaining STARS Platinum status in this category. TRU outperformed larger institutions, including Seattle University, The American College of Greece and California Polytechnic State University.
"True sustainability requires a long-term effort, considering the sustainability implications of all fundamental components of an institution and, most importantly, a genuine team effort from the executive team and the TRU Board of Governors to every person learning and working on our campuses and online, every member of our community plays a crucial role," says TRU Director of Sustainability James Gordon. "TRU has made significant progress, and we must continue working diligently toward our goals."
Low-carbon initiative
TRU's ambitious Low-Carbon District Energy System (LCDES) is a cornerstone of the university's sustainability efforts, marking a significant step toward its goal of becoming North America's first zero-carbon campus by 2030.
This groundbreaking system incorporates state-of-the-art heat pump technology designed to drastically reduce fossil fuel dependency. Currently, the LCDES is being progressively integrated into buildings across the Kamloops campus.
The projected impact of the LCDES over the next 30 years is substantial, as it's expected to eliminate over 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a reduction equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting a 4,000-acre forest.
This innovative system not only tackles today's environmental challenges but also sets an example for sustainability that other universities can follow.
"In a time when sustainability efforts face significant challenges, the 2025 Sustainable Campus Index demonstrates that colleges and universities continue to lead with innovation and determination," says AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser.
"This report highlights the pioneering work being done across higher education, while also inspiring further action. Every STARS participant, whether highlighted here or not, is playing a vital role in advancing sustainability and modeling the leadership needed to address our global challenges."
AASHE's programs include Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS), which measures sustainability performance of the 1,200 participating colleges and universities. STARS is a comprehensive sustainability rating system that addresses environmental, social and economic sustainability. TRU is one of only 14 institutions in the world with a STARS Platinum rating.
