The TDSB’s large tree planting program began in 2006. Since that time, an average of 300 large caliper trees have been donated by the City of Toronto and planted by in-house trades each year. Other school ground improvement projects that included tree planting raised the number to 1,190!

The TDSB’s transition to electric school buses will begin with a pilot project on the Toronto Islands. In September 2024, five electric school buses will replace the diesel- powered buses that currently service the Toronto Public/Natural Science School. To support this transition, an electric charging station will be installed at the Island School, funded by the Environmental Legacy Fund.

The City of Toronto Youth Climate Action Grants provides funding to support Toronto District School Board (TDSB) student-led projects, activities and events that directly or indirectly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Grants of up to $1,000 are available for each eligible project.

The 2021 Climate Action Report signalled the intention to start procuring fully electric vehicles to add to the TDSB’s fleet of more than 700 vehicles. Using the Environmental Legacy Fund to cover the difference in cost to an ICE vehicle, 2 of the approved 4 vehicles have been delivered.

For the first time ever, TDSB schools are invited to participate in the EcoSchools Canada certification program. Schools can engage in environmental learning and climate action while working on their certification application with the national EcoSchools program

The Annual Report 2021: Climate Action outlines 22 key actions the TDSB will undertake in response to the climate crisis. Actions are divided into six focus areas to address whole institution engagement and specifically target lowering the TDSB’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The EcoSchools team, in collaboration with colleagues at OISE’s Environmental and Sustainability Education Initiative, create a series of webinars to help shift environmental learning to the virtual world during the time of school closures. A wide range of environmentally themed topics are explored.

The Energy Conservation & Demand Management Plan documents some of the work done to reduce energy consumption across the TDSB in a five-year reporting period from 2013/2014 to 2017/2018. The report highlights the drop in overall energy use at TDSB buildings, mainly as a result of upgrades to heating and hot water systems in schools, which significantly reduce the TDSB’s use of natural gas.

The JMLEC is created to leverage the knowledge that TDSB workers have of their workplaces and work processes, and connect that expertise with the broader knowledge of management. The goal of the collaboration is to make informed decisions towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions by identifying feasible approaches and innovations to the workplace.

TDSB collaborates with Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto to launch Environmental Education Additional Qualification courses . These courses help educators increase their capacity to implement environmental curriculum and foster student ecological literacy. Following the success of this first "EEAQ" course, further courses (Part 2 and 3) are developed, enabling educators to become Specialists in Environmental Education.

The Board of Trustees approves the Charter for Active, Safe and Sustainable Transportation (ASST) to tackle the decline in students walking and cycling to school, and implement activities and supports to encourage active transportation.

The Go Green: Climate Action Plan is developed in response to the revised Environment Policy with its explicit emphasis on climate change. This document provides a plan to put in action the Board’s commitment to sustaining the environment, focusing on mitigation, adaptation, and education.

The Sustainability Office is created as part of the Go Green: Climate Action Plan . The office works on wide-ranging programs and initiatives including environmental education and key partnerships, as well as on-the-ground actions related to school grounds, energy use, renewable energy, waste management and purchasing.

TDSB begins investment in renewable energy with the initial installation of solar PV systems at 10 schools. Since those first installations, a further 340 TDSB schools have had solar PV systems installed on their rooftops.

Through the Large Tree Program , approximately 2500 large native shade trees have been planted at 250 TDSB schools. These trees offer many other benefits: making the grounds attractive, providing habitats for biodiversity, reducing stormwater runoff, and shading buildings and play areas.

In 2005, the TDSB shares the EcoSchools program with a group of Ontario school boards and York University to expand program delivery throughout the province. (As of 2019, this program becomes EcoSchools Canada).

The EcoSchools program is created with a very broad scope covering not only what is taught about the environment, but also how we run our schools and how we design and use our schools grounds.