Overview
The University of Waterloo has developed its first institutional Sustainable Transportation Plan, Shift:Mobility, set to launch in winter 2026. The plan was created through research, community engagements, and group planning efforts.
Core pieces of the plan include:
-
Five outcomes which aim to create a more vibrant and sustainable campus
-
Five bold targets that guide actions and inform future decision-making
-
63 recommendations which support change over the short, medium and long term across our four campuses
-
A review framework to track progress and outcomes
Through Waterloo at 100 and the Campus Plan, the University community has mapped out a vision for its next phase of development which acknowledges the urgency and importance of acting upon the climate crisis. The Environmental Sustainability Strategy (ESS) establishes short-term actions and accountabilities while reinforcing a long-term vision for campus sustainability. From the ESS, three specific sustainability plans and strategies have been created for transportation (Shift:Mobility), climate action (Shift:Neutral) and waste (Shift:Zero).
Pillars
Shift:Mobility establishes key directions and a framework of action for how Waterloo can support and reduce barriers to sustainable transportation choices over the short, medium, and long term across our campuses. These actions are organized into four pillars:
Commuting
Improve choices and quality for students, employees, and visitors to get to and from our campuses using sustainable modes of travel.
Circulation and Movement
Move people and goods around and between campuses, which includes a focus on walkways, roadways, and inter-campus transportation options.
Fleet
Decarbonize and ensure efficiency of University-owned vehicles.
Parking
Provide parking areas and services that are safe, accessible, and convenient, while supporting the shift towards sustainable transportation choices.
Process and Partners
The project has been co-led by Sustainable Transportation Office and the Sustainability Office. It was informed by a wider Sustainable Transportation Planning Group, comprised of students, staff, and faculty, who provided advice, support, input, and feedback throughout the project.
Our progress
The Environmental Sustainability Report includes more information about Waterloo’s annual progress towards established objectives, including transportation data.