Changemakers for a Just and Sustainable Future
York University’s new Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change has been created as a call to action to respond to the most pressing challenges facing people and the planet.
As a community, we believe that making positive change requires bold and diverse thinking, ambitious action, and community engagement. We are research intensive, student centric, inclusive, and devoted to making the world a better place for all.
Join us as we strive to create a more just and sustainable future!
Why Study with Environmental & Urban Change at York University?
We are focused on ensuring our students receive a high-quality education in our undergraduate and graduate programs. We offer all students a unique learning experience within a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Our focus on fundamental knowledge, critical thinking, and hands-on experiences will prepare future global citizens & changemakers make positive change for a better world.
EUC Programs
Undergraduate Programs
We offer undergraduate programs in Cities, Regions, Planning (BES), Environmental Arts & Justice (BES), Environmental Science (BSc), Global Geography (BA) and Sustainable Environmental Management (BES).
Graduate Programs
We are home to two graduate programs, Environmental Studies (MES & PhD) and Geography (MA, Msc & PhD).
Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change is committed to providing accessible education, embracing diversity, and empowering all students as changemakers in their own lives and in the lives of others.
Mobilizing Knowledge for a Just and Sustainable Future
Our Faculty brings together geographers, physical scientists, social scientists, humanities researchers and artists whose innovative research seeks to advance sustainability and social justice. Using field-based science, policy analysis, critical social theory, planning skills, geomatics, and cultural and arts-based approaches, our researchers drive action to address the world’s environmental and urban challenges.
Global consumption exceeds Earth’s limits, York researchers find
Read the full story on Yfile: yorku.ca/yfile/2026/04/29/global-consumption-exceeds-earths-limits-york-researchers-find/
Experiential learning illuminates science of changing climate
Students at York University are using the same climate models as scientists to explore how human behaviour could shape the planet’s future through an experiential learning approach developed by Joshua Thienpont, assistant professor in the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change. Read
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York U among Canada’s Greenest Employers for 14th consecutive year
York University has once again received national recognition for its long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability, marking more than a decade of inclusion among Canada’s leading environmentally focused institutions. Read the full story on YFile: https://www.yorku.ca/yfile/2026/04/22/york-u-among-canadas-greenest-employers-for-14th-consecutive-year/
Circular Innovation Hub: Driving evidence-based change
Calvin Lakhan The Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change at York University is home to the Living Lab Circular Innovation Hub, a leading initiative advancing circular economy and waste research in Canada. Through applied and collaborative work, the Hub brings
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The demise of Trudeau’s promising carbon pricing policy
By Gurneet Singh This research was presented at the inaugural Undergraduate Research Fair at EUC and received an Honourable Mention. In a world of unprecedented environmental destruction and a looming climate crisis, successful policies mean the difference between decisions that
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Assessing governance and accountability in the Lake Simcoe watershed
RLSC Executive Director Jonathan Scott, former Director and MES Alumna, Claire Malcolmson, and Meetkumar Patel. Lake Simcoe is one of Ontario’s most important freshwater ecosystems. It is vital to the ecological health, cultural identity and economic wellbeing of the region.
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Events
Land Acknowledgement
First Nations peoples have lived on this part of Turtle Island for millennia, stewarding the land, the water and all that contributes to life in this region. Today, the culture and presence of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples enrich the lands and people of this territory.
More than two centuries ago, the Mississauga people welcomed settlers to this territory, providing sustenance and engaging in trade and commerce. Between 1781 and 1820, eight treaties were signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, who opened their territory to settlement. Today, York University’s Keele Campus is located on Toronto Purchase Treaty, No. 13 lands and is situated on the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee.
Treaty history is foundational, and it is our collective responsibility to honour the land, as we honour and respect those who have gone before us, those who are here and those who have yet to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to be learning, working and thriving on this land, and we commit to learn the truth and be active in the process of reconciliation.