Project Leap
The first big step towards climate positive
The University of Toronto is committed to making the St. George campus climate positive by 2050.
Decarbonizing the St. George campus
Project Leap will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by over 50% by the end of 2027 through campus-wide sustainability solutions, including transforming how we heat and cool our campus.
What it involves
- Capturing and storing heat for use in the colder months, using the new geoexchange system under Front Campus
- Phasing out natural gas in favour of electrification for heating
- Reducing energy use and emissions by upgrading to energy-efficient LED lighting in 37 buildings
- Optimizing energy used for air distribution systems in key research laboratories
With these changes, Project Leap will save nearly 50,000 metric tonnes of GHG emissions annually—equivalent to the energy use of more than 10,000 homes.
Meeting 2030 targets ahead of schedule
Project Leap will reduce GHG emissions by 50% by the end of 2027, meeting U of T and national 2030 carbon reduction targets ahead of schedule.
Based on fiscal year 2023-24 energy consumption data. Projections as of March 2025.
Climate positive: Going beyond zero carbon emissions through renewables and other technologies.
Canada’s 2030 target, 40% below 2005 levels.
U of T 2030 target, 37% below 1990 levels.
What's happening across campus
Stand on Front Campus and you’re standing on Canada’s largest geoexchange system—a giant thermal battery.
The geoexchange consists of 370 U-shaped pipes, each reaching a depth of 250 metres, about half the height of the CN Tower. Connected to U of T’s heating and cooling network, this system will serve over 30 buildings on the St. George campus.
In summer, the geoexchange will allow U of T to capture and store excess heat from campus buildings. This heat is pumped deep underground using a water-glycol mixture, where the earth acts as a thermal battery, storing the heat until winter, when it is returned to campus buildings.
By adding new and upgraded connections between the geoexchange and campus buildings, Project Leap will unlock the full capacity of the geoexchange system, equivalent to the energy from 250,000 electric vehicle batteries.
Status
The geoexchange was completed in the fall of 2024. Work to connect the Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Leslie L. Dan Pharmacy Building and Medical Sciences Building began in late 2024 and is expected to finish by mid-2026.
A significant portion of the St. George campus’s emissions come from the Central Steam Plant, where gas-fired boilers produce steam that is used to heat most buildings on campus—as well as some off-campus buildings including the Royal Ontario Museum.
As part of Project Leap, one of the gas-fired boilers will be replaced with two electrode steam boilers, saving 29,000 tonnes of GHG annually—the energy equivalent of powering nearly 6,800 homes for a year.
Status
Boiler demolition is underway. The first new electric boiler is expected to be operational by 2026.
As part of Project Leap, lighting in 38 buildings is being upgraded to energy-efficient LEDs. These lights use up to 80% less energy than traditional fluorescent lights, last 3–8 times longer, and contain no toxic mercury—leading to lower electricity demands, fewer replacements and less waste.
This switch will reduce lighting-related energy use by 40%, saving enough electricity to supply over 520 homes for an entire year.
Status
Upgrades are underway, with full completion expected by the end of 2025.
What and when
- Heat recovery and connection to the U of T geoexchange: Underway, expected to be completed by late 2025
- Upgrading air distribution systems in key laboratories: Underway, expected to be completed by mid-2026
- Upgrading to energy-efficient LEDs: Underway, expected to be completed by the end of 2025
- Upgrading water fixtures: Scheduled for late 2025
Impact
- Heat recovery and ventilation upgrades will save over 850 tonnes of GHG emissions annually, equivalent to emissions from over 360,000 litres of gasoline
- Water fixture upgrades will save approximately 4,900 m3 of water annually
- New systems (excluding lighting) will save almost 1,500,000 kWh annually, equivalent to annual energy use from 53 homes
What and when
- Heat recovery and connection to the U of T geoexchange: Underway, expected to be completed by the end of 2025
- Upgrading air distribution systems in key laboratories: Scheduled for early 2026
- Upgrading water fixtures: Scheduled for late 2025
Impact
- Heat recovery and ventilation upgrades will save approximately 2,000 tonnes of GHG emissions annually, equivalent to annual emissions from 468 homes
- Water fixture upgrades will save approximately 1,600 m3 of water annually
- New systems (excluding lighting) will save over 1,517,000 kWh annually, equivalent to energy use from over 53 homes
What and when
- Heat recovery and connection to the U of T geoexchange: Underway, expected to be completed by mid-2026
- Upgrading to energy-efficient LEDs: Underway, expected to be completed by mid-2025
Impact
- Heat recovery upgrades will save approximately 4,600 tonnes of GHG emissions annually, equivalent to annual emissions from nearly 1,100 homes
Geoexchange tours and presentations
Are you a faculty member, staff or student who would like to tour the geoexchange? Interested in hosting a guest presentation on Project Leap?
Submit your request or email sustainability@utoronto.ca with questions.
U of T is creating a more sustainable future
Learn more about our sustainability efforts at the St. George campus