UNBC is one of only four Canadian research universities to make the list and the only Northern BC-based organization.

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the second year in a row, a distinction earned by only 50 companies across the country each year.

The list, organized by the editors of the Canada's Top 100 Employers project, recognizes employers who “lead the nation in creating a culture of environmental awareness through their implementation of earth-friendly initiatives and are attracting people to their institutions due to their environmental leadership.”

The 2013 Canada’s Greenest Employers website lists several reasons for UNBC’s selection:

• UNBC’s commitment to becoming Canada's Green University through its teaching, research, operations, and community engagement.
• The "Green University Planning Committee" composed of senior administrators, faculty members, students and campus groups, including the Prince George Public Interest Research Group, and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions.
• UNBC’s Green Fund that is financed through campus parking revenues (raising $50,000 each academic year) to promote sustainability on campus.
• Educational campaigns, including hiring two students as "Green Residence Assistants."
• The Green University Centre that is staffed by three full-time employees who oversee a variety of green initiatives across the campus.
• The biomass gasification facility that uses local wood residue to produce clean, renewable energy and is built to LEED Gold standards.

This year, UNBC is one of only four Canadian research-intensive universities on the list, alongside York University, the University of Alberta, and the University of BC, and again is the only organization from Northern BC.