Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.88
Liaison Joséanne Bélanger-Gravel
Submission Date June 3, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Polytechnique Montréal
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Shirley Fagnen
Sustainable Development Advisor
Sustainable Development Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Published Plans That Address Sustainability 

Strategic Plan

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
During the fall of 2018 Polytechnique adopted a new strategic plan: "Poly 2023: let's create the future!" The new mission clearly puts sustainability at the forefront: "Respectful of the principles of sustainable development and attuned to the needs of society, Polytechnique Montréal, in accordance with its values: • educates engineers and top-level scientists to meet the challenges of an evolving world and make them key agents of change; • conducts research that addresses major societal issues; and • influences its environment intellectually, economically and socially." The strategic plan is built around 6 values, clearly stating the importance of sustainability: - Collaboration: Promote a spirit of exchange and collaboration among all members of the community and support teamwork. - Creativity: Build an environment that stimulates creativity, original thinking and the desire to innovate. - Excellence: Promote excellence and rigour in activities. - Integrity: Adopt rightful behaviour in activities according to best practices in sustainable development, ethics and governance. - Openness: Recognize diversity and encourage openness to the world. - Respect: Treat people with respect, dignity and fairness.

A copy of the strategic plan:
Poly2023-EN-web.pdf

The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
https://www.polymtl.ca/renseignements-generaux/tout-sur-polytechnique#plan-strategique

Sustainability Plan 

Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the sustainability plan:
Polytechnique Montréal_PlanactionDD2016-20 complété 2017-18_ptLpQiM.xlsx

The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
https://www.polymtl.ca/durable/politiques-plans-daction-et-resultats/plan-daction-et-politiques

Climate Action Plan 

Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
No

A copy of the climate action plan:
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The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
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Other Published Plans 

Does the institution have other published plans that address sustainability or include measurable sustainability objectives (e.g. campus master plan, physical campus plan, diversity plan, human resources plan)? :
Yes

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
In 2017, Polytechnique adopted a Sustainable Tranportation action plan for 2017-2018. Most of the actions were completed, but the plan is still ongoing since Polytechnique wants to continue to encourage sustainable transportation. An action plan to fight against homophobia and transphobia was also developed in 2018 by Polytechnique’s Office of Academic Affairs and Student Life, Student Services and Poly-Out.

Measurable Sustainability Objectives 

Curriculum

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Including sustainable development notions in more than 20% of all Polytechnique courses by 2019 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 1.1) -Having 100% of our first year students take a sustainability literacy test by 2019 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 1.1)

Research 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Increasing the proportion of our researchers who work on sustainability issues to more than 25% by 2019 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 2.2) -Using our campus as living laboratory by conducting research on at least 10 different themes by 2019 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 2.2)

Campus Engagement 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Giving training on sustainability issues to 25% of employees every year (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 7.5)

Public Engagement 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Increasing the number of interdisciplinary projects conducted by Polytechnique's researchers through inter-campus research centers yearly until 2020 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 2.1) -Increasing the number of MOOCs offered by Polytechnique yearly until 2020 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 6.1)

Air & Climate 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of our buildings (per square meter/year) by 2% between 2015 and 2019 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 4.4)

Buildings 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Adopting two new policies on sustainable maintenance of our buildings by 2019 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 4.5)

Energy 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Reducing the energy consumption of our buildings (per square meter/year) by 2% between 2015 and 2019 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 4.3)

Food & Dining 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Having 33% of the food sold by our dining services either local or with a social or environmental certification by 2019 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 3.1) -Having implemented at least 8 different initiatives aiming to increase the sustainability of our food services by 2019 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 3.1)

Grounds 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Adopting a policy to formally ban the use of pesticides on the maintenance of our grounds by 2017 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 4.5)

Purchasing 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Increasing the % of Polytechnique's purchases of paper, electronics and cleaning products that have en environmental or social certification every year (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 7.2) -Increasing the number of different categories of products for which sustainability criteria are formally integrated in Polytechnique's procurement policy to over four (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 7.2)

Transportation 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Selecting hybrid and electric vehicles for 100% of Polytechnique's purchases of new vehicles for which these options are available, by 2020 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 4.4) -Reducing the modal share of our employees' and students' single-user car commuting by 2019 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 4.1) -Increasing the number of charging stations for electric cars in our parking facilities (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 4.1)

Waste 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Diverting more than 70% of our waste from landfill by 2018 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 4.2)

Water 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Reducing the amount of water used in our buildings, expressed by full time equivalent/year, every year until 2020 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 4.3) -Organizing at least one water-saving awareness campaign per semester aimed at our laboratory users (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 4.3)

Diversity & Affordability 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Adopting and implementing a diversity management plan by 2019 (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 5.4) -Increasing the number of initiatives led at Polytechnique to support access to education for underrepresented groups, every year (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 5.4)

Investment & Finance 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Integrating responsible investment criteria in the policies and procedures of the employees' pension plan (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 7.3)

Wellbeing & Work 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Implementing 100% of the actions of the action plan on psychological wellbeing that is currently being developed (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 5.2) -Evaluate wellbeing through a survey (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 5.2)

Other Impact Areas 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
-Increasing the number of activities open to all students, faculty and staff, to create a sense of community, every year (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 5.5) -Increasing the number of institutional events that include sustainable initiatives, every year (ref: Sustainability Plan, objective 7.3)

Optional Fields 

Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body (e.g. a mission statement that specifically includes sustainability and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees)? :
Yes

The formal statement in support of sustainability:
The Board of Directors adopted a Sustainable Development Policy in 2011. It is available here: http://www.polymtl.ca/rensgen/doc/CAD1024_4_2A_Politique_matiere_developpement_durable.pdf

The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
The Sustainable Development Policy states Polytechnique's definition of sustainability as being: Développement durable : un « développement qui répond aux besoins du présent sans compromettre la capacité des générations futures de répondre aux leurs » (Brundtland, 1987); et un développement supporté par trois piliers : viabilité économique, équité sociale et préservation de l’environnement (Sommet de Rio, 1992).

Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter ---
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) ---
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter ---
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment ---
The Talloires Declaration (TD) ---
UN Global Compact ---
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) ---

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.