trees and green space on campus

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Sustainability is a holistic approach to human development that can help us face some of humanity’s most intractable issues, such as eliminating hunger and poverty, reducing inequalities and protecting the planet.

SDG Performance 2023

The University of Ottawa was recently recognized for its commitment to sustainability by The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which highlights institutional contributions to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2022, uOttawa had a strong showing in several areas, ranking:

4th

in the U15 and 26th globally in SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

9th

in the U15 and 87th globally in SDG 3: Good health and well-being

6th

in the U15 and 72nd globally in SDG 10: Reduced inequalities

SDG 1: No Poverty

Brief description: Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Specific actions takenuOttawa Free Store

News articles: A Win-Win Situation: Getting Retailers to Donate Excess Inventory

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SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Brief description: Ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Specific actions taken

News articlesSustainable food systems at uOttawa

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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Brief description: Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

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SDG 4: Quality Education

Brief description: Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

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SDG 5: Gender Equality

Brief description: Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

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SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Brief description: Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

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SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Brief description: Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Specific actions taken

News articlesSunny forecast for a uOttawa start-up driving the shift to a zero-carbon future

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SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Brief description: Promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Specific actions takenuOttawa and TELUS partner to fuel connectivity, innovation, and economic growth in the National Capital Region

News articlesProfessor Monica Gattinger Appointed to Ontario's Electrification and Energy Transition Panel

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SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Brief description: Building resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

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SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Brief description: Reduce inequality within and among countries.

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SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Brief description: Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Specific actions taken

News articlesEnvironmental Projects to promote biodiversity and sustaiability

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SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Brief description: Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.

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SDG 13: Climate Action

Brief description: Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Specific actions takenClimate Action

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SDG 14: Life Below Water

Brief description: Conserving and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

Specific actions takenEnvironmental monitoring

News articlesImproving how we manage oceans

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SDG 15: Life and Land

Brief description: Protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Specific actions takenNature Positive Pledge

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SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Brief description: Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Specific actions takenuOttawa joins other global universities to call on G7 leaders to prioritize and advance peace and security

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SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Brief description: Strengthening the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

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Sustainable development at uOttawa

a world map in water colours

uOttawa ranks high for its commitment to UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

The University of Ottawa, represented by President and Vice-Chancellor Jacques Frémont, recently joined leaders of 57 other universities from around the world to release a joint statement calling for accelerated action for a more sustainable world.
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