Operations
Designing, building and operating a university campus in an ecoresponsible manner requires contributions from stakeholders who are driven by a shared philosophy. Construction teams, facility asset management, auxiliary and procurement services are among the key stakeholders that enable ÉTS to work toward becoming a true reference in terms of responsibility in its operations and procurement.
Two buildings on campus are certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The Phase IV student residence building is certified LEED Platinum, and is the first to receive this distinction in Québec. The INGO Innovation Centre is certified LEED Gold.
Visit the Groupe de recherche en intégration et développement durable en environnement bâti (GRIDD) website,
Carbo neutrality
In June 2021, ÉTS became the first academic institution in Montréal to attain carbon neutrality, thanks to a unique and innovative carbon offset system.
Three pillars of carbon neutrality:
- Measure: an inventory of GHG emissions was conducted by research associate Sandrine Quéré under the supervision of Professor Annie Levasseur, an international expert in measuring the impact of climate change.
- Reduce: ÉTS has been the most energy efficient campus in Québec for decades, and is constantly developing new energy recovery and efficiency projects. Future building developments at ÉTS will be designed with carbon neutrality as a target.
- Offset: ÉTS has developed a unique offset system with high added value based on the following actions:
- Purchase of Gold Standard certified carbon credits (the highest quality standards in the world) through the NPO Planetair;
- Creation of the FRECC that funds research projects involving technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To learn more about FRECC, consult our prospectus(PDF, in French);
- Creation of the Planetair+ÉTS product, which is accessible to all clients to offset 100% of their GHG emissions based on the highest standards, along with investment in the future through applied research aimed at developing even more efficient reduction technologies. For each ton of carbon credits sold, 20% of the sale price is donated back to the FRECC.
Energy efficiency
The implementation of tangible measures related to energy efficiency has conferred upon ÉTS an undeniable position of leadership in the Québec university sector. In 2019-2020, ÉTS attained a performance rating that was 53% higher than average for Québec universities in terms of annual energy intensity.
ÉTS is committed to constantly improving the management of energy sources for its buildings in order to optimize use and reduce its environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions.
Some of the initiatives introduced at ÉTS:
- The inclusion of both proven and innovative clean technologies in its buildings.
- The use of an extensive energy consumption monitoring and control system on its campus.
- Autonomous management of the distribution of electricity through a single medium-voltage (25 kV) feed from Hydro-Québec.
In addition, the ÉTS campus serves as a living laboratory for its professors and student community, who conduct practical projects leading to improvements in energy performance
Going greener
Pursuant to the desire expressed by the community within the context of the consultation that led to adoption of the ÉTS Campus Urban Development Plan, the amount of plant cover on campus was increased. In addition to helping to beautify the neighbourhood, this initiative served to enhance the quality of urban biodiversity, reduce the presence of heat islands, improve air quality, promote storm water retention and contribute to the physical and mental wellness of the population.
Some of our accomplishments:
- Creation and installation of a park between Pavilions D and E;
- Installation of Place des Réflexions, a green space facing the Centech building;
- Planting of 64 trees on campus;
- Installation of a green roof on Pavilion E.
Since its construction, Pavilion E has featured a 675 m2 plant-covered roof that is visible from the surrounding Pavilions. No pesticides, inorganic fertilizer or irrigation system is used in this green space. Considered to be fallow because it is not accessible to the public, the green roof is home to numerous residents (praying mantises, spiders, pollinating insects, etc.), making it a veritable oasis of biodiversity.
Sustainable mobility
In keeping with its commitment to climate action, ÉTS is a recognized leader in sustainable mobility, providing its community with numerous incentives to use public transit and active or electric transportation modes.
Active transportation
- New for 2023-2024: a winter BIXI station at the corner of Notre-Dame and De la Montagne streets;
- 250 secure indoor parking spaces for bicycles;
- 150 outdoor parking spaces for bicycles throughout the campus;
- 50 stations for bicycles provided by Ville de Montréal on campus;
- Free lockers at the Sports Centre accessible to the entire ÉTS community;
- Three BIXI stations on campus, and others nearby;
- 10% savings on seasonal and monthly BIXI memberships;
- Clés multi-usagers BIXI à la disposition des employés de l’ÉTS;
- BIXI multi-user keys available to ÉTS employees;
- Centre d'ajustement et de réparation de bicyclettes (CRABE – Bicycle adjustment and repair centre) for sharing tools, equipment and expertise in bicycle maintenance;
- Self-serve bicycle adjustment and repair station in front of Pavilion B;
- Numerous bike paths near the campus.
Public transit
Public transit incentive program for students
Conditions
- Be registered as a full-time student at ÉTS when purchasing the pass;
- Be a member of the ÉTS Coop;
- Only one transit pass per person.
Procedure
- Go to the ÉTS Coop;
- Present your student card OR a piece of photo ID and proof of registration for the current session (the ÉTS Coop will validate your eligibility for the program online);
- Purchase one of the following transit passes: Monthly STM pass or 4-month STM pass.
- Use your transit pass!
The rebate is applied to the next month or months for passes purchased between the 20th day of the month and the 19th day of the following month (monthly pass or 4-month pass).
Public Transit Incentive Program FOR EMPLOYEES
Regular staff members and those with special status (employment contract with a term of at least 12 months, working a minimum of 35 hours per week) are eligible for the Public Transit Incentive Program (PTIC) for ÉTS employees. Members of this program benefit from three free months of public transit with an annual membership, thanks to an agreement between ÉTS, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) and the Réseau de transport métropolitain (Exo).
Eligible personnel
- Regular employee or employee with special status (temporary, supernumerary or replacement) working a minimum of 35 hrs/week;
- Regular employee working part time due to phased retirement;
- Regular employee on deferred salary leave or sabbatical;
- Regular employee on sick leave.
How the program works
By joining the OPUS & Cie (STM) program or the OPUS+ entreprise (Exo) program, staff members benefit from three free months of membership in the form of one free month granted by Exo or the STM and 2 months granted by ÉTS.
In order to take advantage of the rebate, employees must subscribe to the program for a minimum of 12 consecutive months (reimbursement of the rebate may be requested if membership is cancelled). Please note that your annual membership in the PTIC renews automatically unless it is canceled by you or ÉTS.
Procedure
If you travel exclusively within the STM network (OPUS & Cie):
- Go to the STM website;
- Follow the procedure (create an account or sign in to an existing account, and proceed with online subscription to the OPUS & Cie program);
- Employer Code to enter: 3L4411TS;
- If necessary, contact the STM’s Customer Service department, at 514-373-6553, between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
If you travel with any of the following transit companies: TRAM, TRAIN, STL, RTL, CITHSL, CITSV, CIT Le Roussillon, CIT Le Richelain, Ville de Sainte-Julie, CITCRC, MRC L’Assomption, CIT Laurentides or CITSO) (OPUS+ entreprise):
- Go to the Exo website;
- Follow the procedure (create an account or sign in to an existing account, and proceed with online subscription to the OPUS & entreprise program);
- Employer Code to enter: XAEIFJVL (note: the 4th character is the letter "I");
- Attention: Be sure to click on "Validate the Code" after you have entered the Code.
- If necessary, contact Exo’s Customer Service department, at 514-287-8726, between 6:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Electric transportation
ÉTS demonstrates leadership in sustainable mobility and is actively involved in the electrification of transportation. In addition, its charging stations are produced in Québec!
- 46 charging stations on campus:
- Pavilion A: Reserved for employees (19 stations);
- Pavilion B: Open to visitors 24/24 (21 stations);
- Pavilion E: Open to visitors 24/24 (6 stations – Basement Level 2 reserved for students).
Management of waste materials
Some of the actions that enable ÉTS to remain proactive in its management of waste materials include the collection of organic materials, managing a composter on campus, the recovery of procedural masks, the creation of awareness-raising visuals and excellent performance with respect to source separation.
Consult the Waste Materials Management Plan (in French)
ICI on recycle + certification
ÉTS has attained the Performance + level in RECYC-QUÉBEC’s ICI on recycle + certification program in recognition of its efforts, and is committed to continuing to implement sound waste materials management practices.
This program encourages application of the Politique québécoise de gestion des matières résiduelles (Québec waste materials management policy) in order to develop sound habits related to the management of waste materials in response to the following challenges:
- Ending the wasting of resources;
- Helping to attain the objectives of the Climate Change Action Plan;
- Holding all stakeholders involved in the management of waste materials accountable.