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 to approve it at a Board of Trustees meeting on November 20. Four priorities and 48 actions to be implemented over the 2023–2026 period (fully aligned with the institution’s 2021–2026 multi-year contract and the 2023–2025 contract on objectives, resources, and performance) in order to strengthen the measures already implemented in recent years at UM and to initiate and coordinate the implementation at each campus of an ecological transition policy commensurate with its ambitions.
A few words about the master plan for the green transition
The SDTE at the University of Montpellier is implementing the Climate, Biodiversity, and Ecological Transition Plan—launched by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research and supplemented by a framework document in June 2023—a full year ahead of schedule. The plan requires each institution to develop a master plan for sustainable development and social and environmental responsibility by 2024.
Adopting this master plan for the ecological transition as early as 2023 was of great importance. That is why the UM had prepared in advance by already working on numerous initiatives and planning others. It was therefore only natural that this plan could be produced in 2023 in full alignment with the 2023–2025 objectives, resources, and performance agreement and the 2021–2026 multi-year agreement.
“This Master Plan for Ecological Transition (SDTE) therefore represents a major responsibility for the institution. “I have full confidence in the momentum we’ve built and in the implementation of this unifying project, which brings together all of the university’s departments and which I am certain will be enthusiastically supported by all students and staff,” said Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier.
The key strategic priorities and objectives of the master plan for the ecological transition
Priority Area 1: Education and Training, “Training students and staff in the ecological transition”
Main objectives:
- Incorporating issues related to the ecological transition and sustainable development into the curriculum
- Promote and support the development of staff skills related to the ecological transition
- Encourage student engagement in and advocacy for the ecological transition
This initiative is designed to fulfill the requirement to establish training modules on the ecological transition for sustainable development (TEDS) forundergraduatestudents and comprises 11 specific actions. An educational specialist will be hired, training programs for instructors will be organized, and educational resources will be made available through the university’s Moodle platform.
Technology demonstrations will also be set up on campus to actively engage students.
Training on the green transition will be offered to UM staff, along with specialized training related to their specific roles.
Priority Area 2: Research Innovation, “Promoting responsible research to support the ecological transition”
Main objectives:
- Integrating the ecological transition into research and innovation at UM
- Strengthening the connection between science and society
One of the main objectives of this initiative is to encourage research laboratories to assess the environmental impact of their activities, taking into account, in particular, business travel, resource consumption, and procurement. To this end, adoption of the approach developed by the Labo 1.5 research consortium—supported by the CNRS, INRAE, ADEME, INRIA, and Sorbonne University—will be encouraged, and the available indicators will be provided to the laboratories.
Priority Area 3: Environment, “Taking Action for the Environment and Changing Behaviors”
Main objectives:
- Reducing the University of Montreal’s carbon footprint
- Reduce and manage waste
- Protect and promote biodiversity
Last January, the UM adopted an energy conservation plan aimed at reducing its energy consumption and, consequently, its contribution to mitigating global warming. The SDTE plans to support this initiative by conducting a comprehensive assessment of greenhouse gas emissions across the entire UM. The actions under this initiative build on the numerous energy retrofit projects for the building stock and connections to district heating networks carried out under the Recovery Plan and include the installation of solar panels.
These initiatives are complemented by a policy promoting sustainable transportation, including the gradual replacement of the fleet of internal-combustion vehicles with electric vehicles, as well as incentives to use bicycles and public transportation. A travel policy is expected to be introduced soon to encourage UM staff to choose trains over planes for their business travel whenever possible.
Another key focus of this plan is waste management. For several years now, the UM has been organizing the collection and refurbishment of computer equipment and certain office furniture. For general waste, recycling bins are available at some locations, but the recycling program needs to be streamlined and standardized.
Regarding biodiversity, the SDTE plans to continue the initiatives already underway on campus:“No pesticides, no watering, and delayed mowing and pruning to support the reproduction of insects and birds, whichhave been severely impacted by the environmental crisis,” notes Frédérique Carcaillet. To help staff and students discover the richness of their campus, biodiversity workshops have been planned so that everyone can explore the everyday biodiversity around them and participate in efforts to inventory, monitor, and promote it.
Priority Area 4: Strategy and Governance, “Building governance for the ecological transition and promoting responsible business practices”
Main objectives:
- Incorporate the ecological transition policy into the management of the UM
- Mobilize the necessary human, technical, and financial resources
- Commit to a responsible development approach that balances economic, social, and environmental considerations
Since 2022, the University’s policy on the ecological transition has been led by the Vice President for Environmental Issues, in collaboration with all other vice presidents and university departments. An administrative and operational support office dedicated to sustainable development and social responsibility has been established within the Steering Department, with the primary mission of steering and monitoring work related to the ecological transition. During its first year of operation, this support office has helped establish a decision-making and operational framework consisting of a steering committee, an operational committee, a network of “ecological transition” liaisons, and thematic working groups.
Tools for managing and monitoring the implementation of various initiatives will be developed and deployed to ensure the most effective allocation of human, technical, and financial resources for the University’s ecological transition. These tools will also enable the evaluation and analysis of the initiative’s performance and will serve as a valuable source of information for communication, raising awareness, and fostering commitment and buy-in from everyone.