2022-23 Climate Action Progress
Learn about what Concordia is doing to achieve its 2025 climate action targets.
INSTITUTIONALIZE CLIMATE ACTION
Target
- Incorporate climate planning into university governance and operations
Status
- Ongoing
| University governance and operations | Inclusion of climate planning |
|---|---|
| Campus Master Plan | For the Campus Master Plan, Mobility is a guiding principle with the goal of creating pedestrian-friendly campuses and promoting active transportation. Sustainability is one of five filters the university must apply whenever it seeks to improve campus spaces. The Plan seeks to support the Sustainability Action Plan, PLAN/NET ZERØ and more. |
| Governance | Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC) Conducts strategic planning and develops recommendations with respect to policy and plans, including resource allocations and reporting. The committee of nine includes the CSU Sustainability Coordinator, a faculty member, the Chief Communications Officer and several Vice-Presidents. |
Sustainability Action Plan Committee (SAPC) Establishes consistent oversight and collaboration on the Sustainability Action Plan and its related programs and projects. This larger committee includes a diverse group of staff, faculty and students. |
|
| PLAN/NET ZERO | PLAN/NET ZERØ is about creating knowledge through a living lab process that will empower students, researchers and industry leaders in their net-zero carbon projects with the goal of Concordia becoming carbon neutral by 2040. |
| Travel and Conference Policy |
Effective January 2022, a sustainability clause was included within the new Travel and Conference Policy. It encourages all travelers to make transportation and all other choices with sustainability in mind. Railway travel is considered a low-emission mode of transportation and is a recommended alternative to air travel when possible. As per Concordia’s Travel and Conferences Handbook for staff and faculty, those travelling for business purposes are entitled to a 15% discount. As well, regardless of the cost in comparison to economy airfare, they may choose to travel in business class when travelling between Montreal and the cities of Toronto, Ottawa, and Quebec. |
| Department of Geography, Planning & Environment Flying Less Policy | The policy was unanimously approved in June 2019. The faculty members of the department have committed to the following: 1) Disclosing their annual flying activity 2) Prioritizing travel-free meetings 3) Prioritizing collective ground travel 4) Prioritizing extended stays 5) Declining to participate in academic activities 6) Promoting a Flying Less Policy 7) With financial support, encouraging students to attend academic activities that do not require flying |
| Procurement Policy | The new Procurement Policy (CFO-20) includes a new section, which incorporates principles of sustainable procurement and social responsibility. |
| Employee Sustainability Ambassadors Program | Employee sustainability ambassadors have support in increasing the sustainability of their department. Through peer-to-peer activities, they help bring about a positive culture change at the university. Through targeted training by sustainability professionals at Concordia in areas like facilities management, zero-waste and hospitality, ambassadors are encouraged to adopt plans and procedures that further support campus emissions reductions. |
| Climate Emergency Committee | The committee stems from the GPE department and includes students and faculty. They pledge to reduce their individual as well as collective impact on the environment, and urge all departments, both within the institution and at other universities, to join them in promoting proactive climate change research and action. One of their current projects is to change the university's default search engine to Ecosia and an awareness campaign related to it. |
Calls to action
Become a member of the Climate Emergency Committee
Take advantage of reduced-fare travel with VIA Rail Canada by consulting Concordia’s Travel and Conferences Handbook
Become an Employee Sustainability Ambassador
Learn about Concordia’s Sustainability Governance
Related Sustainable Development Goal
BUILDINGS & ENERGY
Target
- Reduce Concordia’s emissions from buildings by 25% compared to 2014-2015
Status
- In progress
Efforts supporting this target
Piloting the use of renewable natural gas
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification of Concordia buildings
Participation in the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Energy Challenge, an international competition in building energy management
Calls to action
For students living in residence, check out the green living guide for tips on saving energy
For faculty and staff, consult the Sustainable Office Guide for best practices for energy saving
Learn more by enrolling in a course related to sustainable energy management
Related Sustainable Development Goal
TRANSPORT
Target
- Attain Gold VÉLOSYMPATHIQUE certification at both campuses
Status
- In progress
In September 2023, Concordia received a VÉLOSYMPATHIQUE Silver rating for our Loyola and downtown campuses.
VÉLOSYMPATHIQUE is a certification program offered by Vélo Québec, a non-profit organization that aims to promote the use of bicycles for transportation, recreation and tourism.
The Vélo Québec judges assess the infrastructure, educational initiatives, planning initiatives, and encouragement and equity measures that an organization has put into place to benefit their cycling community before awarding institutions with a bronze, silver, gold, platinum or diamond certification.
Read our SGW and Loyola VÉLOSYMPATHIQUE assessment summary (French only).
An action plan to achieve Gold certification will be created and implemented as of Winter 2024.
Efforts supporting this target
Map of bicycle parking and amenities on campus
Concordia community bike shops Le Petit Velo Rouge and Right to Move
Application for federal government funding for secure bicycle parking facility at the Loyola campus
Events, workshops and competitions organized as part of Mon campus à vélo
Calls to Action
Bicycle to campus! Don’t have access to a bicycle? Take advantage of Concordia’s BIXI discount
Check out resources available to bicyclists at Concordia
Related Sustainable Development Goal
Target
- Increase electric transport infrastructure (vehicles and parking) to 10% of total infrastructure
Status
- In progress
Efforts supporting this target
- Equipping renovated Faubourg building indoor garage with five new 240-volt Circuit Électrique charging stations
Calls to Action
Find an electric vehicle charging station on campus
Renting a vehicle for university research or activity? Consider renting an electric vehicle
Learn about federal and provincial government subsidies for the transition from fossil fuel powered vehicle to electric
Target
- Optimize and support the use of web conferencing software at Concordia
Status
- Complete
Concordia Zoom Statistics 2023:
- 6,531 active users
- 193,258 meetings
- 54,870,901 meeting minutes
- 1,092,806 meeting participants
- 177 webinars
Concordia Microsoft Teams Statistics (from June — December 2023):
- 10,062 internal active users
- 85,584 meetings
- 69,954 one-on-one calls
- 4,150,983 chat messages
- 13,842 active channels
Approximately 260 meeting rooms on campus (50% of all meeting rooms) are equipped with web conference capabilities.
Efforts supporting this target
Piloting of flexible hybrid work model
Widespread adoption of web conferencing following the COVID-19 pandemic
INVESTMENTS
Progress on the investment targets was provided by Concordia’s Office of the Treasurer.
Target
- Achieve 100% sustainable investments for the Concordia University Foundation (CUF)
Status
- In progress
As of April 30, 2023, 69% sustainable investments has been achieved for the Concordia University Foundation.
Methodology: Sustainable investments were calculated using a proprietary ESG scoring system that rates portfolio managers on five categories as well as on their return target versus achievement. Once both are above average, the investment is considered sustainable. This practice was done on the entire portfolio to determine that 69% of the investments are considered sustainable.
Target
- End all investments in the coal, oil and gas sectors for the Concordia University Foundation (CUF)
Status
- In progress
Target
- Achieve 10% in social or environmental impact investments for the Concordia University Foundation (CUF)
Status
- In progress
Efforts supporting these targets
Creation of an investment policy review subcommittee that is examining the CUF investment policy with a goal to fully integrate sustainability within the portfolio construction while achieving its risk-adjusted return targets
Concordia joined the University Network for Investor Engagement (UNIE) program along with 12 other Canadian universities to group efforts in engagement against climate risks
Concordia is the first Canadian University to develop an alignment between the credit financing offered to Concordia by a major bank through Sustainable Linked Loans
Concordia signed the Climate Charter for Canadian Universities and committed with 16 universities to leverage their assets in strategizing for a smoother transition to a low-carbon economy
Calls to Action
- Consult the Concordia University Foundation Annual Report to learn more about the progress to achieve the 100%/0%/10% targets though innovative approaches
- Apply to the Sustainable Investing Practicum
- Learn more about sustainable investing by enrolling in a Sustainable Investment Professional Certification
CLIMATE CHANGE OFFSETS & ADAPTATION
Target
- Develop comprehensive plan for offsetting our Scope 3 (indirect) greenhouse gas emissions
Status
- In Progress
Efforts supporting this target:
A Carbon Offsets Research intern was hired by the Office of Sustainability during Summer 2023. The intern performed a review of recent scientific and non-scientific literature on the subject of carbon offsetting as a viable strategy to mitigate carbon emissions in an institutional context. Their research was documented in a report and presentation that will be used to inform further research on the topic.
The Office of Sustainability in partnership with the Department of Geography, Planning & Environment has started a Fly Less campaign. Two workshops aimed at faculty and staff on the topic have been offered. A more targeted approach will be implemented in the future.
The SAP Concur system for expense claims now includes the fields necessary for the university to calculate emissions from travel at Concordia. The changes were implemented by the department of Accounts Payable in close collaboration with the Office of Sustainability and apply specifically to expense claims for travel. This is an important step in transparently reporting on Concordia’s Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions and informing the Fly Less campaign.
Calls to action:
Learn more about the Department of Geography, Planning & Environment Flying Less Policy and sign the Flying Less Pledge
Check out resources available at Concordia to support public and active forms of transportation over single occupancy vehicles
Target
- Increase Concordia’s resilience in the context of a changing climate
Status:
- In progress
Efforts supporting this target:
Native Tree Project: A new Concordia project is afoot that will allow students and community members to learn about all trees on Loyola Campus and, eventually, the Sir George Williams Campus. Throughout summer 2023, every tree on the Loyola Campus was documented by species and location to raise awareness about the importance of native trees. The goal is to put labels with QR codes on every campus tree in Kanien’kéha, English and French. These QR codes will lead to species-specific information on each individual tree
Campus Biodiversity Survey: To advance the university’s commitments to enhancing our natural environment in a focused and effective manner, it is prudent to first take stock of which areas need the most support and in which areas we are already succeeding. To this end, we have begun our first campus wide biodiversity survey. This survey will give us the baseline data we need to formulate our biodiversity action plan going forward
Inclusion of Sustainability in Campus Master Plan
Facilities Management is working on water retention plans for Concordia campuses
A green roof feasibility study was conducted for LB and FB building. Green roofs will only be installed on buildings requiring renovation
Calls to Action
Find out more about the Concordia Tree Project
Read more about the Campus Master Plan
