Our Impact
In the 2022-23 school year…
schools registered and created an action plan in the EcoSchools Certification Application
school boards and districts had schools pursue certification
provinces and territories had participating EcoSchools
Every school an EcoSchool
EcoSchools Canada is the largest K-12 environmental education certification program in Canada. Through collaboration with educators, students, parents, school board/district officials, and community organizations, we work to address climate change by fostering environmental leadership in school communities.In the 2022-23 school year…
students were reached by the EcoSchools program
hours of outdoor learning took place
actions completed that connect to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
“EcoSchools has provided our school with a flexible, personalized framework for advancing environmental initiatives in our school community. Broader exposure and participation this year has us excited about the possibilities for next year! Thank you to EcoSchools for giving us the opportunity to learn and grow as a school community, we definitely wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we did this year without your support and guidance.”
– Amy Cook, Teacher, Fundy Middle and High School, St. George, New Brunswick
EcoSchools are supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals
The EcoSchools program enables students and educators to build customized plans from over 45 unique environmental actions that connect to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals are identified as a key component of Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy and by targeting both behaviour change and operational efficiency in schools, participation in the EcoSchools program increases student and teacher engagement, embeds environmental values into school culture, and generates tangible sustainability impacts.
In the 2022-23 school year…
schools participated in actions related to water conservation
classrooms had their energy efficiency optimized
waste-free lunches were packed and brought to schools this year
kg of waste was diverted from landfill
tons of CO2e was sequestered from school ground greening activities
“My participation in EcoSchools this year demonstrated to me that choosing an environmental career in the future was an amazing choice. With this program, I was able to develop new projects and ideas, implement them in my school and achieve some of my first broader environmental changes. I am so proud of what myself and my team accomplished this year and I know I will not only be able to use these skills next year, but in my career as well (hopefully as an environmental engineer)!”
– Frances, Student, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Ontario
How we create change
Our approach supports environmental learning that puts action squarely in the hands and hearts of students and school staff. Environmental actions and whole-school learning are the foundation of the EcoSchools annual certification framework. As part of a community of UNEP and UNESCO-endorsed EcoSchools programs in 70 countries around the world, we are part of a powerful movement led by expertise in environmental education and innovation.
When schools input the results of their environmental actions into the ECA, we are able to convert them into greenhouse gas emission reduction estimates and report on the individual and collective impact of school communities.
If all non-certified schools performed as well as EcoSchools on energy efficiency, overall greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by an estimated 64,800 tonnes per year.
Platinum EcoSchool students on average produce 57% less combined landfill waste than non-EcoSchool students while at school.
“EcoSchools is the inspiration for our schools and school board to reduce its ecological footprint while preparing our students to become active, involved and informed citizens. It also connects them to the real world and their school communities in a way that the traditional curriculum doesn’t necessarily do.”
– Tracy Appleton, Sustainability Specialist, Peel District School Board, Ontario
How you can help
We’ve accomplished a lot, but there’s still a long way to go. By supporting EcoSchools, you’re engaging students in hands-on learning and action, and bringing environmental practices into schools, homes, and communities across Canada.
