About
Through sustainable development, a central component of the university’s educational mission, knowledge is acquired and transferred in a structured manner, benefiting the well-being of the community and serving as a source of inspiration for society.
After years of sustained effort, the university achieved carbon neutrality by massively reducing greenhouse gas emissions and using the Montmorency Forest carbon sink and carbon credit purchases to offset the rest. Université Laval is the first university in Québec to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero, and the first in Canada to do so on an entirely voluntary basis. In February 2017, the university earned a gold rating as part of the international STARS accreditation, ranking 1st in Canada and 2nd worldwide in sustainability.
Vision
Université Laval has made sustainable development an institutional priority for a number of years, investing considerable effort into improving quality of life for members of the university community by simultaneously addressing issues related to their environment, standard of living, and lifestyle. It seeks to rally the campus around these values and takes steps to ensure that its own actions reflect the principles of sustainable development.
Approach
Université Laval has been a socially responsible institution since its founding, and has long taken actions to maintain and enhance quality of life without compromising that of future generations. In 2007, we integrated a formal commitment to sustainable development into our operations and developed a structured approach based on mobilization of the entire community. Every step in our approach is part of a continuum that not only mobilizes stakeholders for a common cause, but also produces tangible and lasting results.
Year | Steps |
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September 2007 | Created the Sustainable Development Fund with a budget of $2 million spread over 5 years |
December 2007 | Established a consultative body: the Issue Table |
September 2008 | Created an institutional Web portal |
November 2008 | Established the Institutional Sustainable Development Policy (PDF) |
June 2009 | Developed the first Sustainable Development Action Plan (PDF, in French only) |
February 2011 | Produced the first sustainable development report (PDF) |
December 2012 | Developed the second Sustainable Development Action Plan (PDF, in French only) |
September 2015 | Developed the third Sustainable Development Action Plan (PDF) |
Sustainable Development Action Plan
- Results April 30th, 2017 (PDF in French only)
- Results April 30th, 2016 (PDF in French only)
- Sustainable Development Action Plan 2015–2018 (PDF)
- Plan to fight climate change (PDF)
Strategic evolution of the sustainable development approach
Three-year plan | Goals | Examples of actions |
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2009-2012 plan |
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2012-2015 plan |
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2015-2018 plan |
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To participate
As a member of the university community, you are encouraged to adhere to sustainable development values and share our vision. In each sphere of sustainable development, you have opportunities to take concrete action. For details, see the Involvement section.