Sustainable development
The Palais has been walking the path to sustainability for over a decade. We have a multifaceted plan, which includes the environment and corporate citizenship.
Environment:
Certified building
The Palais des Congrès de Montréal is widely recognized as energy efficient and is BOMA Best 3 certified. We are also relentless in our efforts to reduce our gas consumption and CO2 emissions.
Outdoor terrace and vegetable garden
In 2010, we embarked on a project to green our roofs by planting a vegetable garden on the terrace. The garden, which is tended by our exclusive caterer, Capital Traiteur, produced a crop of 90 kg of tomatoes via its 138 tomato plants, along with a wide variety of fine herbs. The success of this inaugural urban farming experience led to the creation of the Culti-Vert project in 2011.
Fighting the heat island effect
The Culti-Vert project began thanks to funding from the Québec Department of Health and Social Services’ Climate Change Action Plan to help fight the effects of urban heat islands, and the collaboration of the Montréal Urban Ecology Centre. It spans:
- The planting of permanent vegetation on a section of the roof, including climbings plants aimed at rendering the rooftop more attractive.
- The tending of a container vegetable garden that grows quality vegetables, fruit and fine herbs, and which is pollinated by bees from 3 hives.
- A technological showcase to illustrate the potential for green roofing in downtown Montréal and to demonstrate the Palais’ leadership role in the area of sustainability.
Other green initiatives:
- Reducing energy use
- Optimizing waste management
- Helping our customers plan and host green events through individual mentoring and programs that range from simply promoting green behaviour among event participants all the way to having an event green certified.
Corporate citizenship
Sustainability at the Palais also encompasses contributing to the wellbeing of the community as well as the environment.
Our initiatives include:
- A community kindness program that encourages event organizers and delegates to donate unused convention material and promotional items to Montréal area charitable organizations for redistribution. Organizations that have benefitted from this program include Fondation maman Dion, Le Chaînon and Accueil Bonneau.
- Journée Coup de Pouce, a day devoted to community work in support of Montréal organizations. On that day, Palais employees contribute their time and effort to organizations that assist women experiencing problems, families and children among others.
- Earth Hour: Each year for Earth Hour, the Palais turns off its lit outdoor sign and all the lights in its administrative offices and unoccupied spaces to support the initiative of the World Wide Foundation of Canada (WWF-Canada).
- Earth Day: Employees received compost prepared onsite using residual waste.
- Maison du Père: All surplus food generated by Capital Catering, our official caterer, is donated to Maison du Père, an organization that works with men trying to overcome homelessness.
In essence, our initiatives are many and we strive to improve them every year so we may continue to lead the way in sustainability throughout Montréal and Québec.