Concretely since 2003, emissions linked to the University’s energy consumption have increased from 15,594 equivalent tonnes of carbon dioxide to 3,583 in 2022-2023.
During this period, the housing stock and the number of students at the UdeS more than doubled, it is reported.
The higher education establishment claims, in a press release, to have “reached a new record in reducing its carbon footprint”.
To achieve this significant reduction, hydroelectricity for heating through heat pumps, automated controls, renewable natural gas, recovery of heat sources and the use of renewable energy are notably favored by the Buildings Department , notes the UdeS.
A 2023-2026 environmental management action plan also provides for measures and objectives in terms of energy efficiency. The UdeS also wants to position itself “as the reference in energy management and in the integration of renewable energies”, according to this plan.
Various projects are on the table, including the optimization of the heating systems located at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences and the improvement of the ventilation of the Marie-Victorin pavilion.
“The synergy and close collaboration that exist between the operations and engineering teams will make it possible to achieve these objectives and develop high-level expertise. We are also exploring with our researchers the integration of renewable energy and CO2 sequestration technologies,” says Chantal Couture, general director of the Buildings Department.
The UdeS achieved carbon neutrality in 2022. Its objective was initially set at 2030.
