Concordia makes Canada’s Greenest Employers list for 2026
Concordia’s sustainability efforts are gaining national recognition — again.
The university has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for 2026. The award, presented by Mediacorp Canada Inc., organizer of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, recognizes organizations that embed sustainability into their operations and foster a culture of environmental awareness and action.
For Concordia, the recognition reflects the depth and breadth of its sustainability efforts. It also marks the university’s second appearance on the list in the past three years.
“We’re seeing deeper sustainability ambition and implementation across the university, and this recognition reflects that momentum,” says Michael Di Grappa, vice-president of services and sustainability.
“Through initiatives like PLAN/NET ZERØ, our Sustainability Action Plan and expanded engagement programs, we’re turning our climate commitments into tangible, campus-wide action.”
Sustainability as work culture
A strong culture of employee engagement is driving much of Concordia’s sustainability progress.
“Faculty and staff are increasingly making use of the resources and services available to them, from sustainable transportation options to campus gardens,” says Sabrina Lavoie, associate vice-president of campus services and sustainability.
“There’s also growing interest in initiatives like the Sustainable Event Certification, with more teams taking part each year.”
That engagement is supported by a range of operational initiatives aimed at reducing Concordia’s environmental footprint.
The university’s Zero Waste Plan sets a long-term goal to divert 90 per cent of waste from landfill by 2040, backed by initiatives such as the Concordia University Centre for Creative Reuse (CUCCR) and Zero Waste Event Services.
“There’s growing interest in integrating sustainability into the way people work, and we’re continuing to develop programs and resources to support that,” says Cassandra Lamontagne, manager of the Office of Sustainability. “That combination is what’s helping us build lasting, institution-wide change.”
What’s next
Concordia is now building on that progress with the development of its next Sustainability Action Plan, which will guide priorities through 2030. The new plan is being shaped through a community-driven process, with students, faculty and staff helping to identify and prioritize projects across key areas.
This next phase builds on lessons from the university’s first five-year plan, while adapting to new challenges, technologies and opportunities as Concordia works toward its long-term goals for 2040.
“We’re taking what we’ve learned and using it to strengthen how we plan and prioritize our next set of actions,” says Lamontagne. “This is an ongoing, collaborative process — one that evolves with our community and keeps our work focused where it can have the greatest impact.”
Learn more about sustainability at Concordia.