The University of Montpellier adopts its master plan for ecological transition (SDTE)
In light of the current challenges facing our society, the University of Montpellier decided to develop its ecological transition master plan a year ahead of schedule and vote on it at its board meeting on November 20. Four areas of focus and 48 actions to be implemented over the period 2023-2026 (fully aligned with the institution's 2021-2026 multi-year contract and 2023-2025 objectives, resources, and performance contract) in order to reinforce the measures already put in place in recent years at UM and to initiate and coordinate the implementation of an ecological transition policy at each site that is commensurate with its ambitions.
A few words about the master plan for ecological transition
The SDTE at the University of Montpellier is responding a year ahead of schedule to the Climate-Biodiversity and Ecological Transition Plan launched by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research and supplemented by a framework note in June 2023, which stipulates that each institution must develop a sustainable development and social and environmental responsibility master plan by 2024.
Adopting this master plan for ecological transition as early as 2023 was of great importance. That is why the UM had already anticipated this by working on numerous actions and planning others. It was therefore only natural that this plan was produced in 2023, in perfect alignment with the 2023-2025 objectives, resources, and performance contract and the 2021-2026 multi-year contract.
"This ecological transition master plan (SDTE) is therefore a major responsibility for the institution. I have every confidence in the momentum that has been built up and in the rollout of this unifying project, which brings together all the university's structures and which I am sure will be enthusiastically supported by all students and staff," said Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier.
The main strategic priorities and objectives of the master plan for ecological transition
Axis 1: Education and training, "Training students and staff in ecological transition"
Main objectives:
- Integrate issues related to ecological transition and sustainable development into teaching
- Promoting and supporting the development of staff skills in ecological transition
- Encouraging student engagement in the ecological transition and its promotion
This focus area includes 11 actions designed to meet the requirement to implement training modules on ecological transition for sustainable development (TEDS) forundergraduatestudents. An educational engineer will be recruited, training courses for trainers will be planned, and educational resources will be made available via the UM's Moodle platform.
Technology demonstrators will also be installed on campuses to get students actively involved.
Training courses on ecological transition will be offered to UM staff, as well as specific training courses related to their profession.
Axis 2: Research innovation, "Promoting responsible research in support of ecological transition"
Main objectives:
- Integrating ecological transition into research and innovation at UM
- Increasing interactions between science and society
One of the main objectives of this focus area is to encourage research laboratories to assess the impact of their activities on the environment, taking into account factors such as business travel, resource consumption, and purchasing. To this end, the adoption of the approach taken by the Labo 1.5 research group, supported by the CNRS, INRAE, ADEME, INRIA, and Sorbonne University, will be encouraged, and the available indicators will be provided to laboratories.
Axis 3: Environment, "Taking action for the environment and changing behaviors"
Main objectives:
- Reducing UM's carbon footprint
- Reducing and managing waste
- Protecting and promoting biodiversity
Last January, the UM adopted an energy efficiency plan aimed at reducing its energy consumption and thus its contribution to global warming. The SDTE plans to support this initiative by conducting a major assessment of greenhouse gas emissions across the entire UM. The actions in this area extend the numerous energy renovation projects carried out on the university's buildings and connections to district heating networks thanks to the Recovery Plan, and include the installation of photovoltaic panels.
These actions are complemented by a policy promoting sustainable mobility, with the gradual replacement of the fleet of combustion-engine vehicles with electric vehicles and incentives to use bicycles and public transportation. A travel charter is expected to be introduced soon to encourage UM staff to choose trains over planes for business travel whenever possible.
Another key point in this plan is waste management. For several years, UM has been organizing the collection and reconditioning of computer equipment and certain office furniture. For everyday waste, sorting bins are available at certain sites, but selective collection needs to be streamlined and standardized.
With regard to biodiversity, the SDTE plans to continue the actions already underway on campuses: "zero pesticides, zero watering, late mowing and pruning to encourage the reproduction of insects and birds, whichhave been severely impacted by the environmental crisis," says Frédérique Carcaillet. To help staff and students discover the richness of their campus, biodiversity workshops have been planned so that everyone can learn about the biodiversity that surrounds them every day and participate in efforts to inventory, monitor, and promote it.
Axis 4: Strategy and governance, "Building governance for ecological transition and promoting responsible business practices"
Main objectives:
- Integrating ecological transition policy into UM management
- Mobilize the necessary human, technical, and financial resources
- Adopting a responsible development approach that balances economic, social, and environmental considerations
Since 2022, the policy related to ecological transition within UM has been led by the Vice President for Environmental Issues, in collaboration with all other vice presidents and departments of the University. An administrative and operational support office dedicated to sustainable development and social responsibility has been set up within the Steering Department, with the main task of steering and monitoring work related to ecological transition. During its first year of operation, this support office has helped to structure a decision-making and operational system consisting of a steering committee, an operational committee, a network of "ecological transition" advisors, and thematic working groups.
Tools for managing and monitoring the implementation of the various actions will be developed and deployed in order to allocate human, technical, and financial resources in the best possible way for the UM's ecological transition. They will also make it possible to evaluate and analyze the performance of the approach and will be a valuable source of information for communicating, raising awareness, and promoting the commitment and support of all.