Environment
Montpellier University is actively committed to ecological transition by implementing ambitious policies to reduce its environmental impact. Led by the vice-presidents responsible for Real Estate and Environmental Issues, this initiative aims to decarbonize activities, reduce energy consumption, and minimize impacts on biodiversity in accordance with the recommendations of the Climate-Biodiversity and Ecological Transition Plan.
For several years, the University has been committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and launched its first Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report in 2024. It promotes soft mobility and is gradually replacing its vehicles with electric or hybrid models. In terms of building management, the focus for several years has been on energy efficiency and the transition to sustainable systems. It is also committed to responsible waste management and promotes biodiversity by reorienting its green space management practices.
Sustainable transportation
In line with the sustainable mobility package implemented at the institution, the University has committed to promoting and encouraging soft mobility among its staff and students as part of the Ecological Transition Master Plan. Several types of actions have been undertaken:
- Major campus development projects: based on an assessment carried out across all sites in and outside Montpellier, the institution has planned the installation of bicycle parking facilities in response to the needs of the university community.
- The gradual replacement of service vehicles with combustion engines by electric vehicles or other means of transport such as cargo bikes. This long-term initiative demonstrates a genuine commitment to participating in mobility changes, for lower-carbon transport.
- Actions to raise awareness of the use of soft mobility, such as the school's participation in the national "May by Bike" challenge.
Biodiversity on campuses and green space management
Internationally recognized for its excellence in ecological research, the University of Montpellier is committed to the ecological management of its green spaces. This is in line with the recommendations of the relevant ministries and the Climate and Biodiversity Plan, which call on institutions to encourage the greening of campuses, limit soil artificialization, and protect and promote biodiversity on campuses.
For several years now, the University of Montpellier has been taking measures to promote biodiversity. With this in mind, it has banned the use of pesticides, favoring Mediterranean species that require little or no watering and applying differentiated management of its green spaces with late mowing and pruning to allow plants and the insects that depend on them to complete their reproductive cycles, while taking into account the working conditions of gardeners and safety requirements.
Waste management
The institution's policy in this area aims to reduce its environmental footprint and promote sustainable practices among students and staff. This policy aims to ensure compliance with sorting guidelines in line with local collection methods and their implementation across different sites by raising awareness among the entire university community.
Based on an assessment of waste sorting and used office furniture management across all UM sites, the institution has implemented several key measures: the creation of an internal platform for redistributing office furniture, the gradual rollout of dedicated recycling bins for all recyclable waste, and a review of the purchasing policy to streamline the packaging delivered by suppliers. In addition, in order to reduce the use of plastic associated with the purchase of water bottles, UM has planned to install water fountains for filling water bottles on its various campuses.
Reduction in carbon energy consumption
The energy transition is a priority for the University of Montpellier, not only to reduce its carbon footprint but also to address economic constraints. Switching to renewable energies and reducing the institution's energy consumption is therefore one of the University's major objectives.
1. Photovoltaic panel installations:
In this context, the installation of photovoltaic panels is emerging as a key measure to reduce the institution's carbon footprint. Taking advantage of new construction and renovation projects, the institution has already been installing photovoltaic panels for several years, notably at the Béziers University Institute of Technology (IUT). Other self-consumption installation projects were launched in 2025 at the Richter site, the Nîmes IUT, and the Saint Priest campus.
2. Controlling energy consumption:
For several years now, the University of Montpellier has adopted a strategy of energy efficiency and building renovation, aimed at optimizing its resources while ensuring the quality of teaching and research. With the Energy Efficiency Plan, developed in 2022 at the request of the government, several concrete actions have been undertaken: raising awareness and empowering staff and students to improve energy management, renovating buildings, and installing electricity meters for better monitoring and controlled consumption.
