Concordia University
PA-2: Commitments and Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
5.67 / 6.00 |
Cassandra
Lamontagne Sustainability Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
2.1 Public sustainability commitment
Narrative detailing the institution’s guiding vision or goals for sustainability and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Sustainability Policy (BD-7): The Sustainability Policy, adopted in 2016, states Concordia University’s long-term commitment to be a leading higher education institution in sustainability. Its guiding principles include Access to knowledge; Biodiversity preservation; Economic efficiency; Environmental protection and enhancement; Equity and diversity; Health and quality of life; Participation and commitment; Precaution and prevention; Protection of cultural heritage; Respect for ecosystem support capacity; Responsible production and consumption; and Subsidiarity.
https://www.concordia.ca/content/dam/common/docs/policies/official-policies/BD-7.pdf
Sustainability Action Plan: The Sustainability Action Plan, launched in 2020, touches all aspects of our mission and operations. It includes the following long-term visions for 2040, corresponding to the 5 sub-plans:
Food
- Become recognized as a leader in sustainable food sourcing
- Enhance the capacity to grow and transform food on campus and maximize learning opportunities
- Provide healthy and affordable food options in every main university building where there are teaching activities
Waste
- Divert 90 per cent of material waste from landfill through compost, recycling and material reuse
- Reduce our total material waste by 50 per cent (per full-time equivalent) through programs that encourage low-waste purchasing and material reuse
Climate
- Eliminate CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions from all direct sources, including building energy use and transportation
- Complete full electrification of all transportation infrastructure, including vehicle fleets and parking facilities
- Achieve carbon neutrality by 2040
Research
- Foster an institutional culture that will position Concordia as a world leader in sustainability research with meaningful effects on society, and in sustainable research practices
Curriculum
- Work with faculty members to foster an understanding and practice of sustainability across the curriculum
- Immerse students in interdisciplinary settings
- Equip graduates to link their disciplinary training to broader social, environmental and economic issues, and be ready to enact change in their respective fields
https://www.concordia.ca/sustainability/about/action-plan.html
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the institution’s external sustainability commitments that include a reporting requirement:
Race to Zero: Concordia joined the Race to Zero in 2019, which a pledge is to reach (net) zero GHGs as soon as possible, and by mid-century at the latest, in line with global efforts to limit warming to 1.5C. We are required to (a) specify the year by which we will reach net zero as well as an interim target to achieve part of the way through; (b) develop and publish a plan outlining how we will meet our commitments; (c) publicly report on our progress toward our commitments.
https://www.educationracetozero.org/current-signatories
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
2.2 Measurable sustainability objectives
Narrative listing the institution’s measurable sustainability objectives that address teaching, learning, and research:
The Sustainability Action Plan, launched in 2019-2020, includes a long-term vision as well as five-year plans around five stream topics: Food, Waste, Climate, Research, and Curriculum.
Sustainability in Research Plan (2020; Led by the Office of Research):
- Develop a framework to support interdisciplinary sustainability
research at Concordia - Increase financial and operational support for faculty and students
engaged in sustainability research - Promote and enhance Concordia research to enrich local, Canadian,
and International communities - Monitor and reduce the ecological footprint of research,
dissemination, and related activities conducted on and off campus
https://www.concordia.ca/about/sustainability/action-plan/2020-2025/research.html
Sustainability in Curriculum Plan (2020; Led by the Office of the VP, Innovation in Teaching and Learning):
- Develop and deliver supports within the administration and delivery
of the curriculum - Achieve a 20% threshold of sustainability-related courses
- Increase the number of programs available to students that have a
sustainability learning outcome
https://www.concordia.ca/about/sustainability/action-plan/2020-2025/curriculum.html
Has the institution adopted one or more measurable sustainability objectives that address stakeholder engagement?:
Narrative listing the institution’s measurable sustainability objectives that address stakeholder engagement:
Sustainable Food Systems Plan (2020; led by the Office of Sustainability and Concordia Food Services):
- Create an environment where community members can learn about food, from seed to plate, and offer students hands-on learning opportunities through projects that improve the campus food system
https://www.concordia.ca/about/sustainability/action-plan/2020-2025/food-systems.html
Has the institution adopted one or more measurable sustainability objectives that address campus operations?:
Narrative listing the institution’s measurable sustainability objectives that address campus operations:
Climate Action Plan (2020; Led by the Climate Action Plan Taskforce, made up of members including the Office of Sustainability, Facilities Management, Next-Generation Cities Institute):
- Eliminate CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions from all direct sources, including building energy use and transportation by 2040
- Complete full electrification of all transportation infrastructure, including vehicle fleets and parking facilities by 2040
- Achieve carbon neutrality by 2040
- Reduce Concordia’s emissions from buildings by 25% compared to 2014-2015 by 2025
- Increase electric transport infrastructure (vehicles and parking) to 10%
of total infrastructure by 2025
https://www.concordia.ca/about/sustainability/action-plan/2020-2025/climate.html
Zero Waste Plan (2020; Led by the Office of Sustainability):
- Divert 90 per cent of material waste from landfill through compost, recycling and material reuse by 2040
- Reduce our total material waste by 50 per cent (per full-time equivalent) through programs that encourage low-waste purchasing and material reuse by 2040
https://www.concordia.ca/about/sustainability/action-plan/2020-2025/zero-waste.html
Sustainable Food Systems Plan (2020; led by Concordia Food Services):
- Increase sourcing of local / sustainable foods to 50% of total
purchases in the summer and fall and 40% in the winter and spring. - Ensure that environmental and social sustainability is factored into all
tenders/agreements/contracts concerning the food system - Reduce animal product (meat, poultry, fish/seafood, eggs, dairy)
purchases to 30% of the total food budget
https://www.concordia.ca/about/sustainability/action-plan/2020-2025/food-systems.html
Has the institution adopted one or more measurable sustainability objectives that address racial equity and social justice?:
Narrative listing the institution’s measurable sustainability objectives that address racial equity and social justice:
EDI action plan (2020):
- Develop and implement a comprehensive recruitment and retention plan to support the success of a diverse workforce at all levels, with emphasis on underrepresented groups.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive recruitment and retention plan to support the success of a diverse student body, with emphasis on underrepresented groups.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive recruitment and retention plan to support the success of diverse senior leaders, with emphasis on underrepresented groups.
- Review and revise the leadership, policy and reporting structures and processes to reflect the university’s commitment to EDI.
- Develop a shared understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion, and foster EDI best practices to ensure welcoming, respectful and inclusive communities.
- Enhance university services to create an environment in which all campus community members are welcomed and supported.
- Increase EDI outreach to strengthen the university’s relationships with community groups and to enhance opportunities for students, staff and faculty engagement in community service.
Has the institution adopted one or more measurable sustainability objectives that address administration and finance?:
Narrative listing the institution’s measurable sustainability objectives that address administration and finance:
Climate Action Plan (2020; Led by the Office of the Treasurerer):
- End all investments from the Concordia University Foundation in the coal, oil and gas sectors
- Achieve 100 per cent sustainable investments
- Allocate 10 per cent of the Concordia University Foundation’s long-term investing pool to social or environmental impact investments
https://www.concordia.ca/sustainability/about/action-plan/2020-2025/climate.html
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
2.3 Climate resilience assessment and planning
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s climate resilience assessment:
Does the institution participate in an ongoing campus-community task force or committee that is focused on climate resilience?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the campus-community task force or committee focused on climate resilience:
At the 2024 Sommet Climat Montréal (Montreal Climate Summit), Concordia was one of eight universities who pledged to undertake a joint analyses of climate risks and vulnerabilities, with the aim of developing adaptation plans. A working group of the implicated universities has since been struck.
https://sommetclimatmtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sommet24_Communique-de-presse_Universites.pdf
Has the institution incorporated climate resilience strategies and/or goals into one or more of its published plans?:
Narrative listing the institution’s climate resilience strategies and goals and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Climate Action Plan (2020; Led by the Office of Sustainability and Facilities Management):
- Increase our resilience in the context of a changing climate
- In collaboration with community, increase on-campus and off-campus greening efforts and educate about the importance of vegetation in sequestering carbon and reducing urban heat island effect
- In order to help us determine our susceptibility to current and future climate change impacts, develop an exposure, resilience and vulnerability assessment
https://www.concordia.ca/sustainability/about/action-plan/2020-2025/climate.html
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
Optional documentation
Additional documentation for this credit:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.