Ecological transition
On November 20, 2023, the University of Montpellier voted on its master plan for ecological transition. This document is designed to reinforce the measures already implemented at the UM in recent years, and to initiate and coordinate the implementation of a policy of ecological transition to match its ambitions. Frédérique Carcaillet, vice-president in charge of environmental issues, gives us a brief overview of its construction.
In 2022, for his new term of office, President Philippe Augé wanted to create a vice-president dedicated to environmental issues, a cross-cutting vice-presidency by nature insofar as environmental issues concern the university not only as a structure for education, research and innovation, but also as a consumer of resources and a player in the development of the region of which the university is a part. An administrative and operational support office dedicated to the university's ecological transition has also been created.
" The first year of my vice-presidency and of the office's operation has enabled us to take stock of the steps already taken by the university over the last few years in terms of ecological transition. It has also enabled us to define the scope of the future master plan and to structure the decision-making and operational mechanisms that are essential to achieving the University's objectives.
Two committees have been set up: a steering committee to make proposals and monitor implementation of the establishment's ecological transition policy, and an operational committee to monitor implementation of the action plan and report back to the steering committee.
"After drawing up the main lines and actions of the master plan on the basis of the national DD&RS reference framework and within the framework of the Ministry's climate and ecological transition plan, we launched a consultation within the establishment to identify the needs and ideas for action of the various structures. This enabled us to complete our action plan and define the indicators to be monitored to ensure that the master plan was running smoothly".
In a structure like the UM, which brings together 17 faculties, schools, and institutes, one component institution, and more than 70 research laboratories, a major challenge was to improve the institution's ability to engage the entire community in the transformation and development processes of the ecological transition strategy. The network of ecological transition correspondents was created to meet this need.
" This network enables us to involve the entire community in the implementation of various actions. It comprises more than a hundred people who relay information on the ecological transition and share best practices between the various structures of the establishment".
2025 is the year of the mid-term review of the UM's master plan for ecological transition, a key stage in taking stock of the momentum achieved since 2023 and starting to think about UM 2030!
Presentation of the Ecological Transition Master Plan (SD TE)
The University of Montpellier has anticipated the requirements of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research in terms of ecological transition by adopting its Ecological Transition Master Plan (SDTE) in 2023, structured around 4 axes and 48 actions to be carried out until 2026. Actions in terms of social responsibility are not part of this plan: already developed and being deployed, they are included in other multi-year documents (disability and student life master plans, gender equality plan, etc.) which have their own visibility.
Focus 1: Education and training, "Training students and staff for the ecological transition".
Main objectives :
- Integrate ecological transition and sustainable development issues into teaching methods
- Promoting and supporting the development of staff skills in ecological transition
- Encouraging student commitment to and promotion of the ecological transition
To achieve these objectives, 11 actions have been planned, including the introduction of compulsory modules on the ecological transition for undergraduates, the provision of teaching resources for students and teachers, the installation of technological demonstrators on campus and the construction of specific training modules for staff.
Axis 2: Research and innovation, "Promoting responsible research for the ecological transition".
Main objectives :
- Integrating the ecological transition into research and innovation at the UM
- Increasing interaction between science and society
The aim is to encourage laboratories to engage in more responsible research by promoting the sharing of best practices through seminars and a network of committed referents, the introduction of selection criteria for internal projects and the provision of the data required for laboratory self-assessments of environmental impact. Emphasis has also been placed on enhancing relations between science and society, and the importance of the role of scientists in public policy.
Area 3: Environment, "Acting for the environment and changing behaviors
Main objectives :
- Reducing UM's carbon footprint
- Reduce and manage waste
- Protecting and promoting biodiversity
In order to achieve these objectives, the action plan calls for the extension of energy-efficiency upgrades to buildings and connection to urban heating networks, the development of renewable energies, the promotion of soft mobility and the diagnosis of greenhouse gas emissions. The plan also aims to increase biodiversity on campus by practicing "zero pesticides", "zero watering", late mowing and pruning, and by raising user awareness. Waste management is another key aspect of the plan: to encourage reuse and recycling, particularly of IT equipment, office furniture and packaging, and to reduce waste production.
Axis 4: Strategy and governance, "Building governance for the ecological transition and promoting responsible business".
Main objectives :
- Integrating the ecological transition policy into UM's management structure
- Mobilize the necessary human, technical and financial resources
- A responsible development approach that reconciles economic, social and environmental concerns
Tools for steering and monitoring the implementation of the various actions are needed to allocate human, technical and financial resources as effectively as possible. This requires the creation of committees and a network of "ecological transition correspondents". These will enable us to assess and analyze the performance of the approach, and will be a valuable source of information for communicating, raising awareness and encouraging commitment and support from all concerned. To reinforce the application of the SDTE and embed the ET culture in all the establishment's activities, the UM is integrating ecological transition issues into all aspects of its responsible purchasing policy.
