To reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and consume energy wisely, it is necessary to quantify consumption and emissions. As part of its SD&RS action plan, Arts et Métiers has therefore undertaken to carry out a carbon assessment. Amaëlle Mayer, Chief of Staff in charge of Social and Environmental Responsibility, who is leading the project, explains.
How is the implementation of the assessment organized?
We entrusted the carbon assessment to AMVALOR, which has developed considerable expertise in this area.
In 2023, we set up a working group that I coordinate. It is composed of Sabine Routeau, Director of Real Estate Affairs, an AMVALOR engineer (Charlotte Sannier), and a teacher (Véronique Perrot Bernardet), with the support of a student specializing in eco-design of goods and services.
What actions have already been taken?
In November 2023, we defined the scope of the study, i.e., the organizational perimeter. We are taking into account the school with its campuses and institutes, as well as its two subsidiaries, AMVALOR and AMTALENTS. All ofArts et Métiers activitiesArts et Métiers included: teaching, research, technology transfer, and administration.
The scope encompasses all equipment and facilities: buildings, parking lots, etc.; IT equipment; services (insurance, cleaning, etc.); machinery; vehicles, etc. We take into account direct and indirect emissions related to energy, transportation, products purchased and sold, etc.
Charlotte Sannier and Véronique Perrot Bernardet also organized and led two information meetings for the departments involved.
What are the next steps?
We have identified the emission sources. AMVALOR is currently collecting the data.
For this stage, we need the participation of many departments and services: Human Resources and Student Affairs for the number of people per site (students, staff, residents), the Property Management Department and the Accounting Agency for campus surface areas, the Mission Department for the number of vehicles and their mileage, the Purchasing Department for the transport of goods, the Information Systems Department for IT equipment, etc. This represents millions of pieces of data to collect!
In this context, we also conducted a mobility survey of all staff and students. The results are currently being processed.
Once this work is complete, AMVALOR will calculate and analyze the results.
The transition plan will then need to be developed. We want to do this collaboratively, with everyone who is involved in providing information. This stage should take place in March 2024, and we will be able to present the plan to staff and students in April 2024.
What is a greenhouse gas?
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases that absorb part of the sun's rays and redistribute them in the form of radiation within the Earth's atmosphere.
We emit greenhouse gases when we travel (regardless of the means of transport), when we heat our homes (regardless of the energy source), when we charge our phones, when we watch TV, when we run, when we buy a product, when we search the internet, when we eat...
