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Though guided by government policies and action plans, the Palais was motivated by true convictions when committing to sustainable development initiatives. Working together with Montréal, an essential partner and leader in promoting sustainable events, the Palais takes pride in always going the extra mile to make a difference.
The Palais des congrès has a full-time employee in charge of sustainable development, Véronique Allard. Her role: to continuously improve and build on Palais sustainability initiatives. The organization’s Sustainability Action Plan is a big part of her work, as she identifies and prioritizes the concrete steps required to achieve the Plan’s objectives. Those responsibilities are supported by ongoing dialogue with stakeholders in every sphere of Palais activities.
Concrete actions to reduce our environmental footprint
Le Palais has high ambitions in terms of sustainable development, notably by promoting progress and implementing concrete measures to reduce its environmental footprint. The time has come to take stock with a new format, illustrating all the actions undertaken this year.
In addition to our daily efforts to minimize our environmental footprint, we are one of the first convention centres in the Americas to have a carbon-neutral building. To achieve this, we offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the building’s energy use by contributing to the management and planting of trees on four hectares of Université Laval’s Montmorency Forest, the largest university teaching and research forest in the world.
To reduce the environmental impact of our business development activities, we offset GHG emissions from travel by our representatives through the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi’s Carbone boréal program. This tree-planting offset program, whose rigorous methodology is third-party verified, is the only one entirely dedicated to university research.
This forward-thinking initiative led by AU/LAB, a laboratory for research, innovation, and intervention in urban agriculture associated with the Institut des sciences de l’environnement of the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM), is the main showcase for experimentation and promotion of urban agriculture technologies and techniques in Québec.
The Urban Agriculture Lab has four main components:
In collaboration with Planetair, a recognized leader in climate change awareness and GHG offsets, we have put in place an innovative carbon offset program for event organizers and participants
Facilities for collecting recyclable waste are available at all times on our premises. This service is also provided during all our conferences and special events.
Organic waste collection is included when event organizers choose our partner Maestro Culinaire for their catering needs.
Through its specially designed eco-conditionality policy for international event organizers, the Palais offers resources and support adapted to organizations that take tangible steps in favour of sustainable development at every stage of their event. For more information, contact us at: [email protected].
Organizers get to avail themselves of a five-step program facilitating the planning of a carbon-neutral event, which comes with Planetair shepherding them every step of the way.
As for participants, simple, effective tools empower them to quickly offset travel with carbon credits that are Gold-Standard-certified. Gold Standard is the world’s strictest carbon emission reduction standard.
Silver certification awarded by Boma Best, national green building certification program
Gold-level certification for quality and management performance, awarded by the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC)
Certification awarded by iCompli Sustainability that recognizes Montréal and the Palais as leading destinations for environmentally responsible events
Silver certification awarded by Women in Governance, highlighting the Palais des congrès’ commitment to parity through concrete measures that have been implemented within its units
Bronze certification for the Palais’ initiatives that encourage its clients and employees to use cycling as a green mode of transportation
PERFORMANCE level awarded to the Palais by Recyc-Québec to demonstrate our commitment to waste management
Solidarity and collective movement of organizations and individuals working to make Quebec a responsible and
sustainable destination
In 2019, we adopted an international framework of reference by joining the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Through our actions and with support from valuable social and community partners, we are working on the 17 global goals set by the United Nations to maximize the impact of our commitment.
The Palais has also aligned each of the objectives in its 2019–2023 Strategic Plan with the priorities identified by the United Nations.
In the community, with our employees, to improve quality of life and protect the environment — we are taking action to achieve goals that make a difference.
We are committed to working for the good of the community.
We are against food waste and support food distribution.
We care about the health of our colleagues.
We invest in the education of children and adults alike.
Equality, equity, parity: principles incorporated at all our levels.
We help reduce plastic consumption and protect water.
We offer maximum comfort while minimizing our environmental footprint.
We protect individuals’ rights and ensure inclusive representation.
We offer the best tools to get connected and stay connected.
We open our doors to everyone — no exceptions.
We are close to the citizens here and are committed to making Montréal a human-scale city.
We reduce, we recover, and we enjoy the benefits of being environmentally responsible.
We are industry leaders in reducing our climate impact.
We encourage sustainable exploitation of marine sources.
We root ourselves in ever more concrete actions.
We care about respect and quality of life for all.
We work together to take concrete, effective action.