York University wins two top employer recognition awards: Best Diversity Employer and Greenest Employer

York University has been honored as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the first time, based on a longstanding commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion – and its new Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (DEDI) Strategy. The comprehensive strategy aims to address various forms of discrimination and oppression, promoting a more equitable and inclusive environment. The DEDI values are also integrated into other crucial documents and frameworks at York University, such as the Framework and Action Plan on Black Inclusion and the Indigenous Framework.

York University has consistently demonstrated leadership in social and environmental sustainability, making substantial investments to combat the climate crisis.

For over a decade, York University has been recognized on the Greenest Employers list, thanks to its robust sustainability programs aimed at reducing environmental impact through conservation, decarbonization, and innovation. Recently, York University released a detailed emissions data and ecological footprint assessment, becoming the first Canadian institution to do so.

York University has accelerated its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, a decade earlier than its previous target. This ambitious move is part of the university’s broader sustainability efforts, which include significant involvement from both employees and senior leadership. Annual events like Earth Month tree planting and campus clean-ups, as well as partnerships with organizations such as the Global Footprint Network and the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce, are key components of York’s green initiatives.

Last year, York University hosted the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, the largest fair-trade event in Canadian history. The university’s long standing waste management program, Zero Waste, has been a cornerstone of its environmental efforts since 1990, achieving a remarkable 70 percent waste diversion from landfills in 2019.

York University offers over 500 sustainability-focused courses and operates the Eco-Campus in Costa Rica, dedicated to neotropical conservation, eco-health, community well-being, and sustainable livelihoods.

“York’s collaborative and holistic approach to sustainability has been crucial to our continued success in sustainability leadership,” said Mike Layton, York’s first chief sustainability officer. “This recognition is a testament to the efforts of our entire community, including students, faculty, instructors, and staff. Their commitment to green initiatives and expanding the university’s impact is essential for creating a more sustainable future.”

For more information about the awards York University has received, visit the Diversity Employers site or the Greenest Employers site.