A network to help UM go green
The launch meeting of the Ecological Transition Correspondents network was held on October 14. Designed to be an instigator of change, the network brings together passionate and committed individuals around a common goal: to strengthen the UM's commitment and practices in terms of sustainability and innovation for the ecological transition. The University hopes to improve its internal practices and encourage other higher education establishments to follow suit.
A key step has been taken by the University of Montpellier in the deployment of its master plan for ecological transition (SDTE): the network of ecological transition correspondents met for the first time on October 14, in the presence of Philippe Augé, President of the UM, and Frédérique Carcaillet, Vice-President in charge of environmental issues. Correspondents were given a presentation of the University's SDTE, as well as the network's objectives and timetable.
A desire to act
They are teachers, lecturers, researchers or library, engineering, administrative, technical, social and healthcare staff (BIATSS), and all share an interest in ecological transition issues and a desire to take action. Acting as ambassadors for the ecological transition, these correspondents are responsible for raising community awareness of environmental issues.
With this in mind, the presentation of the network's missions clarified the roles and responsibilities of the correspondents, underlining the importance of their commitment. A detailed schedule of next steps was also unveiled, including the various committees and meetings in which the network will participate. There was also time for questions and suggestions, such as the creation of an exchange platform for correspondents from research organizations, to facilitate cooperation between laboratories.
Network objectives
The creation of this network of correspondents is a response to the various needs and challenges facing the University due to its size. With over 5,000 staff and 50 With over 1,000 students on more than 17 sites and 73 research facilities, it is sometimes difficult to keep track of all the different projects being implemented to promote the ecological transition and apply the SDTE. This task force will therefore be able to distill the culture of ecological transition as close to the ground as possible, and federate the community around objectives and initiatives designed to strengthen the greening of the University.
In addition, this network will create synergies between the various structures, facilitating the implementation of UM's ecological transition policy. The network is also an important relay for the circulation of information between the various structures and the sustainable development office within the steering directorate. The more information circulates, the more the UM will be able to react, improve, adapt, deploy and reinforce the implementation of the SDTE. Thanks to their commitment, the correspondents help to amplify the culture of sustainability within the University, encouraging collective awareness and concerted action for a successful ecological transition.