In 2018, McMaster adopted a decarbonization strategy in 2018 which tackled carbon reduction based on measuring and targeting carbon exposure. Aligned with the United Nations Principles, it was a start to taking active engagement strategies to create a more sustainable future. It is planned to reduce carbon emissions of 65% by 2025 but McMaster University has achieved the carbon reduction target 2 years ahead of schedule in 2023 where it reduced carbon intensity of its investments by 70% from 2018 levels.

Developed in 2020, McMaster’s Net Zero Carbon Roadmap was developed as a guide to achieving net zero carbon emissions with the goal of reducing emissions by 75% by 2030 and 90% by 2050, with the remaining 10% emissions reduced by additional installment of renewable energy projects and more. The roadmap includes methods of achieving net zero carbon such as geothermal heating and cooling, waste-water heat recovery, and electrifying campus service vehicles

McMaster intends to support students, faculty members, and staff through introducing active and interactive modes of transportation by developing multi-modal transportations systems that connect to campus. McMaster will plant native trees and species to promote healthy ecosystems and include greenspace in teaching, learning, and research.

As a first step to implementing McMaster’s 2022-26 Sustainability Strategy, two electric boilers were installed in order to reduce campus carbon emissions 23% from 2020 levels. They are part of the university’s ongoing sustainability efforts to drive sustainable change and become a leader in the lead for environmental sustainability. The boilers are expected to be installed in 2024 which will heat campus with carbon free-electricity during low-demand periods as well as counteract the use of natural gas boilers that emit carbon.

McMaster University announced that it will use emissions-free geothermal energy to heat and cool its new campus greenhouse. It will be the first building to use a sustainable geothermal system and will be open in spring of 2024. Geothermal systems are an environmentally sustainable solution to producing energy in accordance to net zero carbon emissions on campus and it is the beginning to the exploration of geothermal technology on campus.

As a first step to implementing McMaster’s 2022-26 Sustainability Strategy, two electric boilers were installed in order to reduce campus carbon emissions 23% from 2020 levels. They are part of the university’s ongoing sustainability efforts to drive sustainable change and become a leader in the lead for environmental sustainability. The boilers are expected to be installed in 2024 which will heat campus with carbon free-electricity during low-demand periods as well as counteract the use of natural gas boilers that emit carbon.

As a first step to implementing McMaster’s 2022-26 Sustainability Strategy, two electric boilers were installed in order to reduce campus carbon emissions 23% from 2020 levels. They are part of the university’s ongoing sustainability efforts to drive sustainable change and become a leader in the lead for environmental sustainability. The boilers are expected to be installed in 2024 which will heat campus with carbon free-electricity during low-demand periods as well as counteract the use of natural gas boilers that emit carbon.

McMaster hosted its first United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals Pitch Competition where students pitch an idea to solve one of three sustainability challenges and help McMaster achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The winners targeted issues such as reducing waste, increasing active and sustainable travel, and achieving gender equity

Students, faculty and staff created a Bring Your Own Bottle campaign in order to reduce the use of single-use plastic water bottles. They promoted campus water bottle filling stations with a website, an interactive map, and signage and communication programs.