2021-22 Climate Action Progress
Learn about what Concordia is doing to achieve its 2025 climate action targets.
INSTITUTIONALIZE CLIMATE ACTION
Target
- Incorporate climate planning into university governance and operations
Status
- Ongoing
Efforts supporting this target
– Travel and Conference Policy
- Effective January 2022, a sustainability clause was included within the new Travel and Conference Policy. It encourages all travelers to make transportation and all other choices with sustainability in mind. Railway travel is considered a low-emission mode of transportation and is a recommended alternative to air travel when possible. As per Concordia’s Travel and Conferences Handbook for staff and faculty, those travelling for business purposes are entitled to a 15% discount. As well, regardless of the cost in comparison to economy airfare, they may choose to travel in business class when travelling between Montreal and the cities of Toronto, Ottawa, and Quebec.
– Employee Sustainability Ambassadors Program
- Employee sustainability ambassadors have support in increasing the sustainability of their department. Through peer-to-peer activities, they help bring about a positive culture change at the university. Through targeted training by sustainability professionals at Concordia in areas like facilities management, zero-waste and hospitality, ambassadors are encouraged to adopt plans and procedures that further support campus emissions reductions.
– Sustainability and climate change are key considerations for the Campus Master Plan
– Sustainability is one of Concordia’s transformative approaches to achieving its nine creative strategic directions that guide its progress as a next-generation university
Calls to action
- Take advantage of reduced-fare travel with VIA Rail Canada by consulting Concordia’s Travel and Conferences Handbook
Become an Employee Sustainability Ambassador
Learn about Concordia’s Sustainability Policy
Related Sustainable Development Goal
BUILDINGS & ENERGY
Target
- Reduce Concordia’s emissions from buildings by 25% compared to 2014-2015
Status
- In progress
Efforts supporting this target
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification of Concordia buildings
Participation in the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Energy Challenge, an international competition in building energy management
Calls to action
For students living in residence, check out the green living guide for tips on saving energy
For faculty and staff, consult the Sustainable Office Guide for best practices for energy saving
Learn more by enrolling in a course related to sustainable energy management
Related Sustainable Development Goal
TRANSPORT
Target
- Attain Vélosympathique Gold rating at both campuses
Status
- In progress
Five fields of action for Vélosympathique certification
| Field of action | Highlights / Progress |
|---|---|
| Environment | Sir George Williams campus Loyola campus |
| Education | The Office of Sustainability organized Sustainable Transportation Month in September 2021. Events, workshops and competitions were hosted with the goal of encouraging community members to use sustainable modes of transportation such as bicycling. |
| Encouragement | During Sustainable Transportation Month, bicyclists received free coffee at participating on-campus cafés. There were also several prizes for community members using sustainable transportation. |
| Evaluation & Planning | Concordia disseminates a commuter habits survey to evaluate the percentage of community members bicycling to campus as part of their regular commute. The survey also evaluates factors that influence bicycling as a mode of transportation and seeks feedback on current and future bicycling services. |
| Equity | Category newly added in 2022; in development |
Efforts supporting this target
Events, workshops and competitions organized as part of Sustainable Transportation Month
Concordia community bike shops Le Petit Velo Rouge and Right to Move
Space request made for secure bicycle parking facility at the Loyola campus
Map of bicycle parking and amenities on campus
Calls to Action
Bicycle to campus! Don’t have access to a bicycle? Take advantage of Concordia’s BIXI discount
Participate in Concordia’s next commuter habits survey
Check out resources available to bicyclists at Concordia
Related Sustainable Development Goal
Target
- Increase electric transport infrastructure (vehicles and parking) to 10% of total infrastructure
Status
- In progress
14 electric vehicle parking spaces
- Seven at Loyola Campus
- Seven at Sir George Williams campus
This represents 1% of the total parking infrastructure.
Efforts supporting this target
- Equipping renovated Faubourg building indoor garage with five new 240-volt Circuit Électrique charging stations
Calls to Action
Find an electric vehicle charging station on campus
Renting a vehicle for university research or activity? Consider renting an electric vehicle
Learn about federal and provincial government subsidies for the transition from fossil fuel powered vehicle to electric
INVESTMENTS
Progress on the investment targets was provided by Concordia’s Office of the Treasurer.
Target
- Achieve 100% sustainable investments for the Concordia University Foundation (CUF)
Status
- In progress
As of April 30, 2022, 66% sustainable investments has been achieved for the Concordia University Foundation.
Methodology
- Sustainable investments were calculated using a proprietary ESG scoring system that rates portfolio managers on five categories as well as on their return target versus achievement. Once both are above average, the investment is considered sustainable. This practice was done on the entire portfolio to determine that 66% of the investments are considered sustainable.
Target
- End all investments in the coal, oil and gas sectors for the Concordia University Foundation (CUF)
Status
- In progress
Methodology
- The percentage of investments is calculated using the CUF’s exposure to The Carbon Underground 200. Globally recognized as the screening standard for being fossil free, The Carbon Underground 200 identifies the top 200 global publicly listed coal, oil, and gas reserves owners ranked by the carbon emissions embedded in their reserves.
Target
- Achieve 10% in social or environmental impact investments for the Concordia University Foundation (CUF)
Status
- In progress
As of April 30, 2022, 5.5% in social or environmental impact investments has been achieved for the Concordia University Foundation. Within the impact investment portfolio, eight funds are mission-related investments, aligning with and directly achieving the CUF’s mission and themes.
Efforts supporting these targets
Creation of an investment policy review subcommittee that is examining the CUF investment policy with a goal to fully integrate sustainability within the portfolio construction while achieving its risk-adjusted return targets
Concordia joined the University Network for Investor Engagement (UNIE) program along with 12 other Canadian universities to group efforts in engagement against climate risks
Concordia is the first Canadian University to develop an alignment between the credit financing offered to Concordia by a major bank through Sustainable Linked Loans
Concordia signed the Climate Charter for Canadian Universities and committed with 16 universities to leverage their assets in strategizing for a smoother transition to a low-carbon economy
Calls to Action
Consult the Concordia University Foundation Annual Report to learn more about the progress to achieve the 100%/0%/10% targets though innovative approaches
Apply to the Sustainable Investing Practicum
Learn more about sustainable investing by enrolling in a Sustainable Investment Professional Certification
