Don't Miss Our Hub for Sustainability Integration Conference!
Message from the Executive in Residence
Closing the Skills Gap
The University of Waterloo’s Hub for Sustainability Integration is a nexus of interaction, collaboration, and advancement. It will provide members with the opportunity for iterative collaboration and innovation, sharing collective experience to advance sustainability integration in their organizations, in experiential education, and through the student consultancy. The University of Waterloo is developing and preparing tomorrow’s sustainability leaders to play an integral role in a sustainable future. Ultimately, Sustainability will be integrated into every business decision so that it becomes a natural part of everything we do.
HUB for Sustainability Integration
The HUB is a sustainability ecosystem bringing together a student consultancy and a sustainability business council, while incorporating professional development. In this video, Jennifer Roedding, the Executive in Residence for the University of Waterloo’s Hub for Sustainability Integration, provides brief historical details on the path sustainability has taken and how the University plans on being a major part of the solution.
In essence, our ultimate goal is to have sustainability be a consideration in all business decisions. To this end, the University of Waterloo is being defined as a world leader in sustainability integration – our Student Consultancy course provides experiential learning to establish skills in business, consultancy, and sustainability.
News
Canada Releases Proposed IFRS-Based Sustainability Reporting Standards
The Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB) announced the release of new proposed standards for companies to report sustainability and climate-related information, based on the recently released sustainability disclosure standards by the IFRS Foundation’s International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).
The release of the new standards may form a significant step towards the introduction of mandatory climate-related reporting requirements for Canadian companies.
The ISSB was launched in November 2021 at the COP26 climate conference, with the goal to develop IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, driven by demand from investors, companies, governments and regulators to provide a global baseline of disclosure requirements enabling a consistent understanding of the effect of sustainability risks and opportunities on companies’ prospects.
Coca-Cola Launches 100% Recycled Plastic Bottles in Canada
Coca-Cola Launches 100% Recycled Plastic Bottles in Canada
The Coca-Cola Company announced today the launch of 100% recycled plastic bottles in Canada, with all 500 ml sparkling beverage bottles – including flagship brands Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta – in the country using 100% recycled plastic, excluding caps and labels, by early 2024.
According to the company, the move will save 7.6 million pounds of new plastic in 2024, and reduce CO2 emissions by nearly 7,000 metric tons annually.
Only 1 in 4 Companies Very Confident in Meeting ESG Reporting Requirements
KPMG Survey
Companies increasingly expect their ESG strategies to contribute to positively to business and financial outcomes, in areas ranging from M&A and new product opportunities to talent and customer retention, although many executives are concerned about keeping up with complex and changing sustainability regulatory requirements, with only around a quarter reporting confidence in meeting ESG reporting requirements across several jurisdictions, according to a new survey released by professional services firm KPMG.
The business leaders identified M&A efficacy as the top area in which ESG is adding value to their businesses, with 41% reporting that ESG engagement adds major financial value, with other top areas including access to new capital sources at 35% and customer retention at 34%.
Events
2025 Hub for Sustainability Integration Conference
Monday, October 27, 2025
Working to balance profit with purpose, without compromising the planet
Sustainability is transforming the way the world approaches business. Understanding the profound impact that sustainability will have on the future of business, the economy and society at large — is critical to implementing successful strategic agendas at the organizational level while protecting our planet.
Join us for this one-day event designed to deliver valuable insights into the ever-evolving landscape of sustainability and its impacts on business. The Hub for Sustainability Integration Conference will feature keynote and panel speakers from industry leaders in the Canadian sustainability landscape, providing you with a broader understanding of strategic sustainability issues and the practical knowledge required to integrate them into your organization.
This event will also bring together some of the brightest minds from the University of Waterloo to share their insights and research with the business world.
The Hub for Sustainability Integration Conference is hosted by the Hub for Sustainability Integration - a partnership between the School of Accounting and Finance and the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo.
Keep an eye on this page for more details.
- Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo
Blog
Coming Soon
University of Waterloo Sustainability HUB Blog.