| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.02 |
| Liaison | Maxine Dandois-Fafard |
| Submission Date | Nov. 10, 2023 |
Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS)
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Maxine
Dandois-Fafard Sustainable Development Officer Scientific Direction |
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
INRS has joined the Climate Partnership Montreal, a movement of Montreal-based organizations that are translating words into actions and taking significant steps to initiate or accelerate their climate transition. INRS is proud to be an "action" partner of the Climate Partnership Montreal, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the metropolis by 55% by 2030. INRS has taken two commitments within the framework of this partnership: improve the mobility of its community and train 100% of its executives in climate issues (a promise we are fulfilling through internal training on the SDGs).
In 2023, Professor Louise Hénault-Éthier (ETE Centre director and member of INRS Executive Committee) submitted an official INRS memorandum to the Commission on Economic and Urban Development and Housing of the City of Montreal regarding the Montreal Circular Economy Roadmap project. In October 2023, she also submitted a paper as part of the public consultation leading to the development of the new Montreal Water Strategy, along with nine other professors and four students (http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/url/ITEM/06D29E0B63E8C09CE0630A930132C09C). It was presented to Montreal city hall on October 3rd.
In Laval, a municipal research chair was created with the city of Laval in microbiome engineering for environmental and agrifood applications. https://www.newswire.ca/fr/news-releases/carre-laval-creation-d-une-chaire-de-recherche-pour-des-solutions-durables-en-environnement-et-en-agroalimentaire-896946296.html
In Québec City, INRS works with the city to create a world-class centre of expertise in the water sector, le Carrefour de l'eau. https://www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/apropos/espace-presse/actualites/fiche_autres_actualites.aspx?id=26277. Furthermore, close relations are maintained with the City for the implementation of the tramway since it will pass in front of our building in the lower town. Discussions are also underway to instrumentalize the tree pit that the City plans to install in front of our building, enabling our students to use real-time search tools. Professor Louise Hénault-Éthier and Professor Marie-Soleil Cloutier (respectively director of the ETE Centre and director of the UCS Centre, both on the Executive Committee) published an open letter in October 2023 in favour of the tramway project in Quebec City, with the blessing of the Executive Committee (https://www.lesoleil.com/opinions/point-de-vue/2023/10/25/quebec-une-ville-universitaire-qui-doit-accelerer-le-deploiement-de-son-transport-en-commun-structurant-NXECSPGDRNGHBD4R2WA2ZJZ74A/).
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
INRS has signed the Sponge City charter (Initiative Ville Éponge) which encourage and apply eco-responsible innovation in water management and greening practices in the built environment in the province of Quebec. Professor Sophie Duchesne is our expert participating in the initiative, given her expertise on the subject of stormwater management in urban environments. More: https://eponge.org/a-propos#partenaires.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the national level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
In May 2021, Professors André St-Hilaire and Louise Hénault-Éthier submitted an official INRS memorandum to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development of the Canadian government regarding the establishment of a Canadian Water Agency. To read it: https://espace.inrs.ca/id/eprint/11791/.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
In 2022, INRS joined ten other Québec Universities as well as hundreds of universities internationally in signing the Nature Positive Pledge, declaring the essential role that universities should play in protecting and restoring biodiversity and committing our university to start the journey towards a liveable planet for us all. https://inrs.ca/en/news/eleven-quebec-universities-join-forces-to-protect-biodiversity/
A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability advocacy efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.