Next-Gen sustainability

The Concordia University Inter-Generational Fund (CUiF) has completed its transition to a “100/0/10” framework, committing all investments to sustainable strategies while directing 10 per cent towards mission-driven initiatives.

The shift, launched in 2019, moves beyond net-zero goals towards a restorative economic model focused on people, planet and a sustainable economy. The fund’s strategy is rooted in allocating capital with purpose and intentionality — a commitment to integrating responsible investment factors that align with Concordia’s sustainability objectives.

The milestone positions Concordia as a leader in responsible investing and demonstrates how institutional funds can align financial performance with long-term environmental and social impact.

A Concordia-led study published in Environmental Science: Nano suggests that nanomaterials could transform coastal oil spill cleanup, making it faster, more effective and less harmful to ecosystems.

The review — led by Huifang Bi, a PhD candidate in the Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering — analyzed up to 50 studies and found that these materials can enhance methods such as dispersants, sorbents and bioremediation, improving oil removal and breakdown.

Bio-based nanomaterials also show promise as less toxic alternatives to conventional chemicals. However, most research remains at the lab stage, underscoring the need for large-scale field testing and sustainable design for real-world use.

The university’s FOFA Gallery is spearheading sustainable exhibition practices through its Modular Plinth project, rethinking traditional display structures to reduce waste, storage and maintenance.

Developed with designer and alum Arrien Weeks, the modular plinths can be disassembled, reused and made from eco-friendly materials, lowering resource use and costs. Part of a broader sustainability initiative, the project also shares open-source designs to inspire other galleries, promoting adaptable, efficient and environmentally responsible approaches to art curation.

Concordia is advancing its PLAN/NET ZERØ initiative through key partnerships with industry leaders. A collaboration with Énergir and Hydro-Québec will transform the Loyola Campus into a living lab for low-carbon energy systems, exploring geothermal, solar and energy-storage solutions.

Additionally, a partnership with Johnson Controls will retrofit the downtown Guy–De Maisonneuve Building, cutting energy use by up to 50 per cent while testing smart, sustainable building technologies.

A Concordia study led by Lingshan Li, PhD candidate in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment, finds that urban heat in Montreal is closely tied to unequal access to green space, with lower-income and more racially diverse neighbourhoods experiencing higher temperatures due to less vegetation.

Using satellite and census data, researchers from the Next-Generation Cities Institute and the Loyola Sustainability Research Centre show that increasing tree cover significantly reduces heat, especially when tree patches are dense and continuous. The study also highlights a mismatch between areas that most need cooling — including vulnerable populations — and those that benefit from it, offering insights to guide more equitable urban planning.

Concordia’s new Climate Business Institute brings together researchers, industry leaders and policymakers to help drive meaningful change around climate action. Focused on the intersection of sustainability and business strategy, it delivers practical research, training and collaborations that support decarbonization and resilient growth.

By bridging academia and industry, the institute aims to turn climate goals into actionable solutions while equipping businesses and future leaders to drive meaningful environmental and economic impact.