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Sustainability
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Take Action

What can you do?

Getting involved in York’s sustainability initiatives is a great decision—for yourself, your community, and our future. The United Nations has established 17 Sustainability Development Goals and challenged the world to meet them. York University is already recognized as an international leader in SDG-relevant research, teaching, partnerships, and campus practices.

York is rising to the challenge
answering the call

Certifications & Training

WWF Living Planet Leader Certification
World Wildlife Fund Canada's Living Planet @ Campus program inspires students to practice sustainability and protect nature on campus and beyond.

How to Become a Living Planet Leader

The Living Planet Leader Certification

A self-guided designation program that recognizes student contributions to a more sustainable campus and community. Students must complete actions in four categories to quality for a Living Planet Leader designation, part of WWF Canada's Living Planet program, including: 

  • Local on campus activities, community or global volunteerism
  • Personal application of sustainability
  • Application of sustainability in academics
  • Teamwork and Leadership

Get Started

  1. Register as a Living Planet Leader with Living Planet @ Campus 
  2. Track your progress and record your efforts on your Living Planet Leader profile
  3. Submit your completed application within 3 months after your final academic term

The program is an opportunity for students to gain valuable leadership skills and boost their professional resume or LinkedIn profile. Students will be listed on WWF's Living Planet Leader website upon certification.

Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living
Become a Sustainable Living Ambassador with York University’s Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living and earn a first-of-its-kind Digital Badge in Sustainable Living to share on social media.

Sustainability Training Modules
This training module for YU staff focuses on knowledge and awareness about sustainability, the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), York University's Sustainability Strategy and our Net Zero goal, as well as the University Academic Plan and the University-wide challenge to advance the SDGs.

Event Sustainability Certification
Sustainable events mean taking into consideration the balance of protection for the environment, economic factors, and social responsibility, so that together we create and safeguard an improved quality of life for ourselves and future generations.


There are 4 levels of event certification:

  • Bronze: 65% of actions
  • Silver: 75% of actions
  • Gold: 85% of actions
  • Platinum: 95% of actions

Any York University staff, faculty, or student group can complete this certification if their event is affiliated with York University and they are currently in the planning phase of their event.

You can visit our Instagram @yorkusustainability where you'll find guidelines on how to plan a sustainable event.

Certification is valid for one year, and the certification scoreboard will be updated as needed to ensure alignment with sustainability best practices.

Feel free to reach out to the Office of Sustainability for any questions or feedback. Please email sustainability@yorku.ca.

Certification Form

Office Sustainability Certification
Do you know how your office waste, energy, transportation, and purchasing are impacting the environment? Choose a self-guided or facilitated program to make your workspace more sustainable.

Engage with Communities

Sustainability Champions Network
If you're passionate about the environment and looking to be part of a network of community members supporting York's leadership in sustainability, join us.

Sustainability Clubs & Organizations
York has a variety of sustainability-focused clubs, where students actively contribute to environmental and social causes and make a tangible difference at York and beyond. Learn more about clubs here.