OUR VISION. OUR PLAN.
Together, We Are Shaping a Better Tomorrow
With a decade of experience implementing sustainable practices and living our sustainability commitments, Humber has created a blueprint to empower our learners to shape a better tomorrow.
Our post-secondary students are telling us they are concerned with the job market, low-paying entry level positions, and the long-term effects of climate change (Humber News, 2022, University World News, 2024). They know that if the world’s temperature exceeds 1.5 degrees of warming, the damage to our ecosystems may be irreversible (MIT, 2023). Students question how they can find jobs and preserve the planet for the next generation.
Humber is addressing these complex challenges by blending academic study with modeling sustainable practices and providing hands-on engagement in sustainable innovation and community climate action.
We are Building Brilliance through every aspect of our student’s Humber experience.
Our Pillars and Commitments
Our commitment to Building Brilliance includes ensuring our learners gain critical employability skills that set them apart in their chosen fields. Students choosing to learn at Humber Polytechnic - a leading sustainable institution - will be uniquely positioned to address the climate crisis and create impact in their local and global communities.
With decades of experience implementing sustainable practices and living our sustainability commitments, Humber has created a climate action blueprint to empower our learners to shape a better tomorrow.
Fostering Sustainable Mindsets
- Education for All: Learners from across the world will have access to climate education.
- Sustainability Mindsets: Humber programs will build sustainability mindsets.
Enabling a Sustainable Campus Experience
- Innovative Learning Spaces & Operations: Humber students will learn examples of living sustainably through our sustainable and equitable operations.
Translating Knowledge Into Climate Action
- Hands-On Experience & Industry and Community Connections: Humber students and staff will have opportunities to exercise their sustainability mindsets, hone their climate action skills, and engage with green industry and community leaders within their fields.
- Sustainable Lifestyle: Humber will provide its community with the tools to live sustainability.
- Learning and Development: Humber leaders and employees will model green behaviours so that our students can follow our lead.
Translating Knowledge Into Climate Action
- Hands-On Experience & Industry and Community Connections: Humber students and staff will have opportunities to exercise their sustainability mindsets, hone their climate action skills, and engage with green industry and community leaders within their fields.
- Sustainable Lifestyle: Humber will provide its community with the tools to live sustainability.
- Learning and Development: Humber leaders and employees will model green behaviours so that our students can follow our lead.
Our Journey
Humber’s Sustainability Vision & Action Plan responds to the 750+ Humber students, faculty, and administrative and support staff who participated in 18 consultation activities, including an online survey. It was further informed by our networks within the post-secondary sector, and research conducted in early 2024. We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who leant their time and voices to this process. We are incredibly proud to have collaborated with you.
The Road to Net-Zero and Beyond
First lighting retrofit installed which reduced campus lighting energy use by 35%.
A biowall is installed in the University of Guelph-Humber.
Humber's Centre for Urban Ecology is one of the first buildings in Toronto to receive LEED® Gold certification.
Sustainability first included as a core value in Humber’s Strategic Plan.
Sustainable waste management commences.
AASHE rates Humber STARS Silver.
Structured engagement opportunities for staff and students commences (ambassadors, champions, committees, etc.).
Food establishments commence a focus on more sustainable food options.
Promotion of more sustainable transit options commences.
The first Campus Sustainability Plan launches.
Canada’s Top Greenest Employer designation - a status that has been maintained until today.
Integrated Energy Master Plan is ratified.
Lakeshore Campus receives a Fairtrade designation – the first college in Ontario to receive this designation.
AASHE rates Humber STARS Gold.
North Campus receives a FairTrade designation.
The second Sustainability Plan launches.
NX building receives Zero Carbon Design certification - the first retrofit project in Canada awarded this designation.
The Humber Learning Outcomes launches – including the Sustainability Mindset.
The 2022-2050 Climate Action Plan launches.
The SWITCH project launches.
ReuseHumber and low waste event space is introduced.
The Food Strategy & Vision 2023 launches.
The Green Building Standards launches.
An Open Course on Climate Action launches.
Sustainability learning and development is bolstered.
The Healthy Landscape & Biodiversity Plan launches.
Work begins on a Procurement Strategy & Action Plan, with an accompanying Sustainable Purchasing workbook and the integration of sustainability principles into the Applied Research Process.
The Sustainability Youth Advisory Forum launches.
An institutional Sustainability Vision and new Action Plan launches.
The Waste Reduction Strategy & Action Plan and Sustainable Transportation Plan launches.
Humber achieves Net Zero.
Sustainability Mindsets are fully integrated into all Humber curriculum.
