It’s no longer just scientists and environmentalists who are sounding the alarm about the potential global devastation of climate change. Ontario’s universities take the issue very seriously too.

That’s why they are working in partnership with students, their communities and businesses — and taking the lead on their own campuses — to meet environmental challenges and help build a cleaner future.

The myriad initiatives taking place on campuses across the province, from major capital works such as retrofitting buildings to grass-roots, student-led projects, are laid out in a new report from the Council of Ontario Universities.

Going Greener 2017: The Road to Low-Carbon University Campuses demonstrates the commitment to environmental sustainability by the province’s universities.

The report, its eighth annual edition, looks at the growing number of courses and programs to help educate students with the skills they need in the green economy, and reports on case studies that demonstrate partnerships between municipalities, businesses, industry and postsecondary institutions that are essential to taking a holistic community approach to environmental issues.

It also profiles campus initiatives such as switching to high-efficiency energy systems, buying local food and products, and promoting clean transportation. There’s a section on research and innovation, showcasing some of the breakthroughs in low-carbon and clean technologies that aim to revolutionize the way we drive and store energy. Read the 2017 Going Greener report.