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Ontario Tech named ‘Most Sustainably Improved’ in 2025 UI GreenMetric; receives Durham Region sustainability award

Justin Barber

19 Dec 2025 — 1 min read

Ontario Tech University in Oshawa was named Most Sustainably Improved University in the 2025 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings and also received a sustainability award from the Region of Durham, the university announced December 19.

UI GreenMetric evaluates universities worldwide on environmental performance, infrastructure and sustainability initiatives. The regional award came from the municipal government in Durham Region, where Ontario Tech operates campuses in north and downtown Oshawa.

According to the university, recent campus projects include tree planting and naturalized landscaping at both campuses. Ontario Tech says volunteers—students, employees and community members—have planted thousands of trees and shrubs to help restore former agricultural lands at the north Oshawa campus.

The university says it has expanded waste‑reduction programs, sustainable purchasing practices and infrastructure upgrades across its operations. Ontario Tech says it aims to achieve Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) Platinum certification by 2030.

Ontario Tech’s announcement also highlights academic and research activity in areas such as energy systems, sustainable design, climate resilience and artificial intelligence systems with human oversight. “Recognition at both the global and local levels reinforces that our focus on long-term, measurable progress is delivering results,” Ontario Tech President and Vice‑Chancellor Steven Murphy said in the university’s statement.

Beyond campus operations, Ontario Tech partners with Common Ground Foodshare to use a portion of campus farmland to grow produce for residents facing food insecurity across Durham Region, according to the university. The institution also hosts tree‑planting days, waste‑reduction workshops and other sustainability education events involving students, employees, alumni and community partners.

UI GreenMetric’s 2025 rankings place Ontario Tech among institutions assessed on sustainability-related policies and practices. The university’s recognition from the Region of Durham adds a local honour tied to environmental work within the community, as described in the announcement.

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Durham College student chamber memberships include Clarington Board of Trade

Waverley Place completes $500,000 restoration in Bowmanville

Lakeridge Health starts next phase of energy upgrades at Ajax Pickering and Oshawa hospitals

Clarington curbside Christmas tree pickup on regular days during weeks of Jan. 5 and 12