Sustainability at Concordia
October 2025 Newsletter
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Autumn has come to Concordia! Check out the many ways to enjoy sustainability on campus this October.
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Concordia launches PLAN/NET ZERØ pilot project with deep energy retrofit of the Guy-De Maisonneuve BuildingThe Guy-De Maisonneuve (GM) Building is about to become a testing ground for Concordia’s PLAN/NET ZERØ initiative. Through a deep energy retrofit, the university is turning necessary repairs into an opportunity to foster innovation in sustainable facilities. Work on the 11-storey structure will help cut energy consumption by 50 per cent by improving heating, cooling and ventilation systems, lighting and more. The project will also reduce the building’s greenhouse gas emissions, improve wellness and create more comfortable spaces for the Concordia community. |
Concordia earns back-to-back WWF-Canada Living Campus certificationsConcordia’s campuses are transforming into greener, more biodiverse and resilient spaces — progress that has once again earned the university a Living Campus certification from the World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada). The distinction celebrates post-secondary institutions that take meaningful action on conservation, sustainability and community engagement. Concordia stood out this year for planting more than 1,400 trees and shrubs, most of them native species, on Loyola Campus. |
Climate Business Institute launches at John Molson School of BusinessExtreme weather fueled by climate change comes with a hefty financial burden. In Quebec, the August 2024 floods caused nearly $2.5 billion in insured damages, while the 2023 wildfire season burned 15 million hectares nationwide and cost insurers more than $1 billion. The new Climate Business Institute (CBI) at the John Molson School seeks to support corporate responsibility and drive meaningful change around climate action. Through practical research, collaborations with policymakers, business leaders and community, as well as educational programs, the new institute will help businesses operationalize sustainability. |
The chronic risks from single-use plastic water bottles are dangerously understudied, new Concordia research showsSajedi, BSc ’91, decided to return to Concordia to pursue a PhD with a focus on plastic waste. As the co-founder of ERA Environmental Management Solutions, a leading provider of environmental, health and safety software, she brought decades of experience to compliment her studies. Her latest paper, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, looks at the science around the health risks posed by single-use plastic water bottles. They are serious, she says, and seriously understudied. |
Concordia’s Centre for Creative Reuse (CUCCR) launches a new spaceConcordia’s Centre for Creative Reuse (CUCCR) has opened a second CUCCR satellite space in the VA Building dedicated to Fine Arts students. The initiative expands on CUCCR’s mission to divert usable materials from Concordia’s waste stream and make them available, free of charge, for creative projects. The VA Satellite is located in room VA 012, in the basement of the VA Building. |
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Thursday, October 2 @ 6:15 p.m. | Pointe-Claire, Brunswick Bvd. / Fairview Ave. We're using Wildlife Acoustic Echometers to identify bats in Fairview Forest, a beautiful green space at risk of being torn down! Birthday Party for the NDG Micro-Forest Saturday, October 4 @ 1 - 3 p.m. | 5700 rue St-Jacques The NDG Micro-Forest is turning one, and we want to celebrate with the whole community! Join us for an afternoon of nature exploration, art, and cake (please bring dishware if you can). Thursday, October 2 @ 2 - 3:30 p.m. | Concordia Greenhouse Project, H-7th floor This hands-on workshop will introduce you to the basics of growing microgreens, a nutrient rich plant sprouts that can be cultivated indoors with minimal space and supplies. No prior experience is needed, learn step by step how to sprout, care for, and harvest your own microgreens. Tuesday, October 7 @ 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Concordia Greenhouse Project, H-7th floor Have some clothing that needs mending? Want to learn how to fix that favourite shirt? Join this workshop for hands on learning! Please Bring Your Own Clothing to Repair! Cultivating Connection in Contained Spaces Wednesday, October 8 @ 3 - 5 p.m. | Concordia Greenhouse Project, H-7th floor A hands-on workshop using the creative process to explore how we connect within nature and sometimes feel disconnected from it. Together, we’ll build terrariums, noticing both the possibilities and the tensions of contained environments. Friday, October 10 @ 2 - 3:30 p.m. | Concordia Greenhouse Project, H-7th floor Using our large-scale terrarium as inspiration, participants will be guided through the process of designing and building a personalized terrarium! This is a pay-what-you-can event to help cover the costs of materials. Spirituali-tea: History of the Greenhouse Tuesday, October 21 @ 2 - 4 p.m. | Concordia Greenhouse Project, H-7th floor Join for conversation, connection and snacks! At 3 p.m. the Greenhouse's Outreach and Communications Coordinator will give a presentation on the history of Concordia's Greenhouse. Wednesday, October 22 @ 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Concordia Greenhouse Project, H-7th floor A performance lecture from an extinct Irish wolf. Wolf is less than pleased about her extinction. She wants to be alive again. Wednesday, October 22 @ 1 - 3 p.m. | Concordia Greenhouse Project, H-7th floor Learn how to assemble your own vermicomposter through a hands-on learning approach and get tips on how to maintain it properly. We will also have vermicomposting kits for attendees to take home for $25. Thursday, October 23 @ 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. | 4TH SPACE, 1400 boul. de Maisonneuve O. This free, all-day event is a vibrant celebration of mushrooms, blending education, art, and sustainability. Come for engaging talks, hands-on workshops, and a bustling mushroom market! Sustainable Pumpkin Carving Workshop Thursday, October 23 @ 1:30 - 5 p.m. | Concordia Greenhouse Project, H-7th floor Monday, October 27 @ 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Concordia Greenhouse Project, H-7th floor Join us as we carve pumpkins for Halloween and feed the pumpkin waste to our vermicomposters. Pumpkins and tools will be provided. This is a pay-what-you-can event to help cover the costs of materials. Wednesday, October 29 @ 3 - 6 p.m. | 4TH SPACE, 1400 boul. de Maisonneuve O. Join us for our final farmers market, Halloween edition 👻✨ Vendors in spooky costumes, free gourd-decorating, and fall refreshments await. Plus, our 2nd Annual Market Cookbook will be launched and gifted for free! |
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Sustainability at the Faculty of Fine Arts Discover how the Faculty of Fine Arts is shaping a culture of sustainability. Visit our page to learn more and get inspired. Don't stop learning just because Orange Shirt Day has passed! Check out the Decolonial Toolbox for a comprehensive guide to understand the impacts of colonization and offer guidance to challenge colonialism in your everyday life. Explore the newest tool from Project Drawdown and discover which climate solutions are the most impactful. |
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Let's stay in touch!
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Office of Sustainability |