HEC Montréal Announces its Sustainable Development Aims

February 21, 2008

HEC Montréal today launched its sustainable development project, at a ceremony attended by over 200 students and staff members.

Michel Patry, HEC Montréal Director, and Paul Lanoie, Director of Sustainable Development, described the general aims of the School’s sustainable development policy, which will have an impact on the School’s three main spheres of activity – teaching, research and community service – as well as on the HEC Montréal environment itself.

“HEC Montréal has tremendous influence on sustainable development issues and practices, because we train decision makers,” explained Mr. Patry. “They are the ones who have to face the challenges created by environmental, social and economical problems in their organizations and in society in general.”

“Businesses, just like our students, are increasingly aware of the issues involved in the scarcity and sharing of resources, and global warming. HEC Montréal must lead by example, by promoting sustainable development, in its own teaching and in its practices,” added Paul Lanoie.

The President of RECYC-Québec, Ginette Bureau, was at the ceremony and officially recognized HEC Montréal’s commitment to the ICI, on recycle! program for industry, businesses and institutions.

Michel Patry, Director of HEC Montréal, Paul Lanoie, Director of Sustainable Development, and Ginette Bureau, President of RECYC-Québec

The School’s sustainable development policy will have no fewer than seven themes: reducing greenhouse gases linked to transportation, limiting paper consumption, recycling waste, energy efficiency, green procurement, environmentally responsible events and community services.

HEC Montréal and sustainable development

This is not HEC Montréal’s first initiative in this area. Its professors have been teaching sustainable development for over 15 years already. In 2006, the School launched its Graduate Diploma in Management and Sustainable Development.

More recently, the School signed an agreement with the Centre de gestion des déplacements (CGD) Côte-des-Neiges to join in collective efforts to reduce greenhouse gases produced in the borough.

For more information, please consult the new Web site on sustainable development (in French),HEC Montréal – Campus durable.