Sustainable Development Goals
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is a global leader in sustainability — ranking in the top 37% worldwide overall in the 2026 Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings and is the first Canadian post-secondary institution to earn Platinum STARS status twice (2018 and 2022) and one of only two to achieve the highest rating. Building on steady progress from Silver (2011) to Gold (2015) to Platinum, TRU continues to embed sustainability across campus life, learning and operations.
As a proud signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Accord, TRU advances the SDGs through teaching, research and community action, sharing its progress each year through real impact on campus and beyond.
Explore each of the goals below to learn how the TRU community worked to advance SDGs over the past year.
About Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings
In its inaugural submission to the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings, TRU ranks in the top 37% overall worldwide and earned strong results across additional United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting the university's commitment to building stronger communities, advancing sustainability and creating positive change through partnership and collaboration. Other results include:
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, TRU ranks top 10 in Canada
SDG 13: Climate Action, 81st worldwide, and placing TRU in the top 10 in Canada
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, TRU ranks top third worldwide
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, TRU is in the top 20 % worldwide
THE Sustainability Impact Rankings measure how universities contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, a global framework of 17 goals focused on addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges, including health and well-being, sustainability, climate change, justice and partnership.
About SDG Accord
In 2022, Thompson Rivers University became a proud signatory to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Accord, joining a global movement of post-secondary institutions committed to building a more sustainable and equitable future.
The SDG Accord connects universities and colleges around the world to take action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, share progress openly and learn from one another. By signing on, TRU is strengthening its commitment to weave sustainability into education, research, operations, and community engagement — and to report on our impact every year.
About SDG Month Canada
Thompson Rivers University is proud to take part in SDG Month Canada, a national collaboration that brings together universities and colleges in March to raise awareness and spark action around the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
For 2026 TRU is hosting SDG Action Bingo, an easy and fun initiative to connect everyday and actions with the SDGs. It’s free for everyone to participate in and three winners - one TRU student, one TRU employee, and one Kamloops community member – will each take home a grand prize valued at $1,000! Learn more.
About AASHE
Thompson Rivers University is a proud member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), a global network supporting colleges and universities to lead on sustainability through collaboration, resources, and innovation.
AASHE's Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Ratings System (STARS) is the world's most widely used framework for measuring and reporting campus sustainability performance, with more than 1200 registered institutions in over 56 countries.
TRU is proud to be a global leader in this space:
- First Canadian post-secondary institution to achieve Platinum STARS status twice (2018 and 2022)
- One of only two Canadian post-secondary institutions to achieve the highest STARS rating
- A strong record of progress — Silver (2011), Gold (2015), Platinum (2018 and 2022)
