Stream topics
A coordinated approach to sustainability
The Sustainability Action Plan 2026-30 is organized around seven stream topics that reflect Concordia’s integrated approach to sustainability. Together, they provide a coordinated framework for advancing the integration of environmental responsibility, social well-being and economic viability across campus operations, teaching and learning, research and community engagement.
Each stream includes specific objectives and actions to be implemented between 2026 and 2030. While each area has its own focus, the streams are interconnected and are intended to be advanced through collaboration across the university.
Explore each stream below to learn more about its objectives and actions.
Campus operations
The Action Plan identifies five streams that support more sustainable campus operations. These streams address how Concordia manages resources, infrastructure and the campus environment while contributing to the university’s broader sustainability objectives.
Food
Advance a more sustainable and equitable food system by supporting sustainable food purchasing, food security and Fair Trade.
Flagship actions:
- Work with suppliers to increase food and beverage purchasing that is sustainably and ethically produced.
- Develop a centralized, student-friendly information hub to provide accurate, up-to-date details on food security supports, eligibility and access points.
- Provide student leadership opportunities to advance Fair Trade dialogue, including through an increased campus presence, community engagement, academic collaborations and external advocacy.
Waste
Support a circular approach to resource management by optimizing waste diversion and reduction and supporting reuse.
Flagship actions:
- Optimize the supply, placement and configuration of waste bins, update waste bin signage and launch a targeted educational campaign to support improved waste sorting practices throughout the Concordia community.
- Support centralized services such as the Concordia University Centre for Creative Reuse, Zero Waste Event Services, Fripe Concordia and the Facilities Management Furniture Program to ensure continuous high-quality collection, redistribution and programming around key high-impact waste streams across Concordia and its community.
Climate
Advance climate action by strengthening climate governance, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing climate resilience and adaptation.
Flagship actions:
- In collaboration with the Electrifying Concordia Living Lab, explore the social feasibility of carbon pricing measures and assess community support for approaches such as carbon levies, shadow pricing and a carbon fund.
- As part of PLAN/NET ZERØ’s phase one, complete a deep energy retrofit of the Guy-De Maisonneuve (GM) Building on the Sir George Williams Campus to reduce energy consumption and achieve carbon neutrality.
- Following the 2026 completion of the university's climate risk assessment, and in collaboration with the Electrifying Concordia Living Lab, identify community priorities and develop a climate adaptation plan for Concordia.
Procurement
Embed sustainability considerations into purchasing decisions, targeted engagement and university merchandise.
Flagship actions:
- Integrate one or more environmental, social or economic sustainability criteria into public Calls for Tenders and procurement contracts.
- Develop guidelines and communication efforts to increase community knowledge around the most appropriate avenues for the integration of sustainability criteria in the procurement of goods and services at different scales.
- Ensure commitments to fair labour practices and humane working conditions in Concordia’s licensed merchandise supply chain.
Biodiversity
Protect, restore and enhance biodiversity across Concordia’s campuses and facilitate community access to campus gardens, green space and biodiversity monitoring efforts.
Flagship actions:
- Adopt an ecological management plan that integrates best practices in the maintenance, management and optimization of campus grounds to enhance biodiversity, invasive species control, tree and soil health, water use and climate resilience.
- Establish a publicly accessible, accredited campus arboretum that combines habitat restoration, accessible trail development, interpretive signage and outdoor educational features to support teaching, research, passive recreation and community engagement.
Teaching, learning and research
The Action Plan recognizes the university’s academic mission as essential to advancing sustainability through research, curriculum and experiential learning.
Research
Support research that contributes to sustainability research impact and environmentally sound research practices.
Flagship actions:
- Provide researchers and research entities with an integrated support service centred around academic scholarship, research creation, community engagement, innovation and entrepreneurship, business and commercialization, public policy and advocacy, and research communication.
- Launch a sustainable lab guide and certification program to reduce the environmental impact of Concordia's teaching and research laboratories.
Curriculum
Provide support to increase sustainability course content and increase recruitment into sustainability programs, while expanding opportunities for students to develop sustainability knowledge and skills through curricular and extracurricular activities.
Flagship actions:
- Promote the Education for sustainability resources available from the Centre for Teaching and Learning to increase sustainability content within existing courses.
- Launch an online introduction to sustainability course and increase the number of modules and level of support necessary to encourage undergraduate students from all faculties to integrate it into their program plan.
- Establish the Campus Lab program as a key leverage point to connect students to hands-on sustainability learning activities that advance the Sustainability Action Plan through course-integrated projects, internships, thesis projects and more.
