Across Canada, industries are rethinking how we build, move and power our communities. As the country moves toward its 2050 net-zero emissions targets, demand is growing for people who can blend technology, management and sustainability expertise.
In 2023 alone, more than 248,000 environmental jobs were posted across Canada. That’s about 12 per cent of job postings, or roughly one in eight of all new openings. Ontario led the way with over 75,000 postings—a clear sign of the province’s strength in clean technology and environmental innovation.
For students thinking about careers that shape a cleaner future, these numbers translate into thousands of real opportunities (opens PDF) close to home. That’s where Mohawk College’s new sustainability degrees in Ontario come in. The programs are built for students who want to lead real change, whether through technology or management.
Two paths, four programs
- Bachelor of Technology – Sustainability (3-year or 4-year Honours Degree)
- Bachelor of Management – Sustainability (3-year or 4-year Honours Degree)
The three- or four-year Bachelor of Technology – Sustainability helps you build advanced technical skills in sustainable technologies through hands-on learning. The three- or four-year Bachelor of Management – Sustainability connects business leadership and sustainability-focused practices, showing you how to successfully lead complex projects across various sectors.
So, which path fits you best? It comes down to the kind of impact you want to make.
The Sustainability Technology Degree: building the future
If you want to design the systems that power a greener world, the Sustainability Technology degrees are for you. You’ll dive into technologies that make communities cleaner and more efficient—from renewable energy systems to sustainable building design principles and operations. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your leadership, communication and project management skills to help turn those ideas into action.
Learning goes beyond the classroom. In instructor-led labs, you’ll get hands-on experience with real tools and data—including geographical information systems and sustainable building design. A capstone project and mandatory degree work experience connect your classroom learning directly with industry experience.
The four-year Honours Bachelor option adds an extra year of study that includes two applied research projects and a case study course—great preparation for graduate studies. See how it compares to the three-year pathway in the Quick comparison: 3-year vs 4-year programs section below.
Bachelor of Technology - Sustainability: career outlook and salary growth
Graduates from both degrees are ready to improve green infrastructure, optimize energy systems or help organizations meet climate goals.
Honours graduates can make their mark by leading large-scale projects, pursuing research roles or moving on to graduate studies. You’ll be prepared to advance innovation and lead change across industries such as renewable energy, manufacturing and commercial or institutional building construction.
Three-year grads, meanwhile, are equipped with strong technical skills, interdisciplinary knowledge and hands-on experience. You’ll be prepared to step into applied roles such as environmental consultant, sustainability analyst or environmental compliance manager.
Here’s a snapshot of current career and salary trends in sustainability:
| Sustainability Specialist (visit source) | Social Policy Advisor (visit source) | |
|---|---|---|
| Occupation NOC code | 41400 | 414030 |
| Low ($/hour) | $29.27 | $26.13 |
| Median ($/hour) | $42.86 | 43.59 |
| High ($/hour) | $62.28 | $62. 89 |
The Sustainability Management Degree: leading the change
If you’re more interested in strategy, collaboration and big-picture thinking, the Bachelor of Management – Sustainability degree streams might be the path for you. You’ll learn how to turn sustainability goals into actionable plans that make a difference across businesses, governments and non-profits.
From day one, you’ll take courses in carbon management, project management, environmental policy and sustainability marketing. Through realistic case studies and simulations, you’ll see how organizations are using change leadership, sustainable accounting and risk and project management to build cases for sustainability.
Both programs include a mandatory degree work experience. The four-year Honours Bachelor of Management – Sustainability offers an extra year of study with more applied research opportunities and a broader view. You’ll explore sustainability across sectors like commercial banking, insurance, accounting, renewable energy and government. Curious how the two formats stack up? Check out the Quick comparison: 3-year vs 4-year programs section.
Bachelor of Management - Sustainability: career outlook and salary growth
The management programs meet the growing need for skilled sustainability professionals. Graduates enter the workforce with expertise in economics, accounting, technology and the environment—the type of skill set to drive change in diverse sectors.
The Honours pathway sets the stage for leadership or research-oriented positions. By graduation, you’ll be ready for strategic roles in sustainability consulting, environmental social governance (ESG) analysis or corporate leadership, and also well-prepared for master’s-level studies.
The three-year program, meanwhile, focuses on practical, applied implementation. You’ll be equipped to help organizations meet sustainability goals in roles such as corporate social responsibility specialist or ESG risk advisor.
Check out some of the exciting career options in sustainability management and where they can lead:
| Climate Management Consultant (visit source) | Environmental Science Manager (visit source) | |
|---|---|---|
| Occupation NOC code | 41400 | 20011 |
| Low ($/hour) | $25.50 | $43.75 |
| Median ($/hour) | $43.27 | $59.83 |
| High ($/hour) | $72.12 | $94.71 |
Quick comparison: 3-year vs 4-year programs
The four-year options add an extra year of advanced coursework, two applied thesis-level research projects and an additional case-study course. This deeper dive prepares you for leadership or research roles. It also provides a strong foundation for graduate studies, especially since many master’s programs prefer or require a four-year degree.
Want to move faster? The three-year programs cover the same core courses but get you into the workforce sooner. They’re ideal if you already have previous education or technical experience, or a clear career pathway in mind. And if your goals change along the way, you can easily transfer into the four-year Honours stream to build on what you’ve already accomplished.
| 3-year degree | 4-year honours degree | |
| Credential | Degree | Honours Degree |
| Length | 3 years | 4 years |
| Admission requirements | Grade 12 English (U), Math (U), + 1 senior Science* | Grade 12 English (U), Math (U), + 1 senior Science* |
| Experiential learning | Capstone project | Capstone project and two applied research courses |
| Minimum work experience requirement | 420 hours | 420 hours |
| Graduate study alignment | Meets requirements for graduate certificates | Meets requirements for master’s programs and graduate certificates |
| Career readiness | Entry-level technical or management | Leadership, research and strategic positions |
* 1 senior Science is required for the Technology stream, but only recommended for Management
Real-world learning defines sustainability programs for high school graduates
Whether your strengths are technical or strategic, all four sustainability pathways at Mohawk College are built around one idea: learning by doing. You’ll take on real sustainability challenges through case studies, industry projects and work terms that connect you directly with employers across the sector.
At Mohawk College’s Joyce Centre for Partnership and Innovation, you’ll sharpen your technical skills through immersive labs and simulations that explore sustainable building design and operations up close. In your courses, you’ll also engage with Indigenous knowledge and the principles of climate justice, equity, diversity and inclusion—developing the awareness to design solutions that work for everyone.
Ever wondered what you can do with a sustainability degree? Mohawk College gives you the skills, experience and confidence to make your ideas count. Rejected from university or not feeling a diploma to degree pathway? These applied degrees give you a recognized credential, built on hands-on learning and strong employer connections.
Whichever sustainability degree you choose, you’ll graduate ready to build a cleaner, smarter and more sustainable world.
Published November 12, 2025
