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Sustainable Development Weeks: 18 September to 8 October 2024

As part of the European Sustainable Development week initiative, Université Paris-Saclay is organising its own sustainable development weeks across its campuses from 18 September to 8 October 2024. Find out more about the programme below!

Once again, this year, a wide range of events are being organised at Université Paris-Saclay to raise awareness about and take action for sustainable development, with various visits, meetings and workshops on offer. Visites, rencontres et ateliers sont prévus tout au long des quatre semaines.

What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development means providing all with a fair access to education, healthcare, a healthy environment and vital resources, whilst respecting the environment. Human activity over the past few decades has severely worsened our environment, demonstrated by rapid biodiversity loss and climate change.

Sustainable development, a key commitment for Université Paris-Saclay

For a research-intensive university, sustainable development must be at the heart of its research work and teaching missions. This means working continuously to minimise resources and the impact of its activities, whilst ensuring fairness and equality among its staff and students. As a result, the university has adopted a Sustainable Development Charter. The Sustainable Development Weeks are an opportunity for the university’s students, staff and the general public to meet, share and talk about sustainable development issues.

On the agenda

  • Photography exhibition – 4 - 30 September 2024 – UVSQ

The university library on the Versailles campus is hosting a photography exhibition Eveille ta ville,exposition photographique « Eveille ta ville » created by the student association Aether Narratio. The exhibition is a tour of European towns committed to social and ecological transitions and showcases concrete initiatives.

  • Ecological transition awareness weeks at UVSQ – 4 to 18 October 2024

More information to come

  • Climate-themed start to the year at the Versailles Faculty of Science (UVSQ)

More information to come

  • Conference on the “High Council’s report on climate, agriculture and food in France” – 12 September at 6.30pm - Agro Paris-Saclay campus

Organised by the Biosphera Graduate School, with the participation of Marion Guillou (Agreenium), Jean-François Soussana (INRAE) and Valérie Masson-Delmotte (LSCE) (& HCC).

Open in person to Master’s students from the Biosphera Graduate School and students of AgroParisTech.
Open to all online

  • Conference on the “Student hydrogen scientific convention” – 26 September at 6.30pm - Agro Paris-Saclay campus
  • Mobility fresco - 16 September from 2 to 4pm – CentraleSupélec (Plateau de Saclay)

Take part in a collaborative workshop to raise awareness about mobility-related carbon impacts. Registration by email: sophie.david@centralesupelec.fr sophie.david@centralesupelec.fr

  • Welcome/discussions – 17 September 7.30am to 10am – Orsay station, Quai de l’Yvette

Organised by the Paris-Saclay conurbation authority Paris-Saclay and commuters, with RATP CAP

  • Bicycle ride – 17 September at 12pm – CentraleSupélec (Plateau de Saclay)

José Picheral, a lecturer and researcher at L2S, will show you around the Plateau de Saclay by bike. This is a chance to meet other bicycle commuters and share tips about the paths and routes you can take if you travel to work by bike. Meet at 12pm at the Carré des Sciencesplan Google Mapswith your bicycle for an hour-long ride. Open to all.

Registration by email: sophie.david@centralesupelec.fr.

  • Mobility day – 19 September

As part of the mobility week organised by the Paris-Saclay conurbation community, you can take part in:

**Welcome/discussions – 7.30am to 10am – Le Guichet station
Organised by the Paris-Saclay conurbation authority Paris-Saclay avec les voyageurs en présence de RATP CAP

**Bicycle exchange – 9am to 7pm – place Marguerite Pereyplan Google Maps)
Bicycle exchange and sale with the association EcoSyst’Aime from ENSTA and Solicycle. :

*9h-11h : Bicycle drop-off (ID required). All types of bicycles are accepted but they must be in working order.
*12h-16h : Bicycle sale managed by the association Solicycle (cash payment).
*16h-17h : Owners must pick up their sales proceeds or unsold bicycles. Any left bicycles will be given to the association Solicycle.
*16h-19h : Co-repair workshop and bicycode anti-theft marking with the association Recyclerie sportive.

High-visibility bags for cyclists will also be handed out.

**Meeting with various mobility organisations and contacts from the Plateau and the area – 12pm to 3pm at the Carré des Sciences (plan Google Maps)

CentraleSupélec and the Mobility service at Université Paris-Saclay will be on hand to welcome you from 12pm to 3pm at the Carré des Sciences. With the participation of: RATP, and RATP CAP, Autocars Dominique, SGP – ligne 18, IDFM, EPAPS, Université Paris-Saclay, ENS, Collectif Vélo Massy CPS, Recyclerie sportive, Clem’, Zenbus, T12 via Transkéo, Transilien RER C (SNCF Voyageurs) Mieux se Déplacer à Bicyclette (who will host co-repair workshops and anti-theft marking (Bicycode) – Bicycode anti-theft marking will cost €10. You will also need to provide ID and ideally, a proof of purchase of the bicycle you wish to mark).).

In case of rain, the event will take place at Eiffel Building, CentraleSupélec.

  • Bicycle exchange – Guyancourt (UVSQ)

Date and more information to come

  • World Clean-Up Day – 20 September 1.45 pm to 5pm

Meeting point on the paved square in front of Polytech Paris-Saclay. For more information: www.worldcleanupday.fr (search ‘Polytech WCD’ on the map of Orsay). www.worldcleanupday.fr (rechercher « Polytech WCD » sur la carte (Orsay)).

  • Visit of the René Nozeran Orchard – Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September from 2pm to 6pm – Orsay

As part of the 2024 European Heritage Days at Université Paris-Saclaythe association Bures-Orsay Nature invites you to take a stroll in the René Nozeran orchard. Information signs will explain how to maintain an orchard naturally: pruning, thinning, care, how to recognise different varieties, fruit conservation, etc.

René Nozeran Orchard, opposite Building 360, rue du Doyen André Guinier, Orsay.

  • Natural Materials at the Orsay Botanical Garden – Saturday 21 September 2024

Flowers, leaves, wood…plants are a never-ending source of materials for arts and crafts! Come and discover these natural materials during a series of wickerwork demonstrations, creative workshops and visits at the Botanical Garden and Greenhouse (as part of the 2024 European Heritage Days at Université Paris-Saclay). 2024 European Heritage Days at Université Paris-Saclay).

Programme of the day:

  • 14h – 18h : Wickerwork demonstrations.
  • 14h – 15h : Tour of the outdoor collections.
  • 14h – 15h : Painting workshop and plant dyes.
  • 16h – 17h : Scientific and imaginary herbarium workshops.
  • 17h – 18h : Tour of the indoor collections.

Registration required for the workshops and indoor collection tours: jardinbotanique.launay@gmail.com

Plant biology greenhouses, Building 365, rue du Doyen André Guinier, Orsay.

  • Botanical walk – 26 September from 12.30pm to 1.30pm – the Guyonnerie wood

Come and discover the Guyonnerie wood with a botanical walk to learn about tree varieties, herbal tea plants and get some fresh air! Registration by email: sophie.david@centralesupelec.fr.

  • Permaculture course – 26 September from 2pm to 5pm – the clearing behind Bouygues

Learn about permaculture and the role it has to play in the ecological transition:

  • Apply the principles of permaculture to improve your own carbon footprint and develop your autonomy
  • Understand, encourage and “create” biodiversity on campus and/or at home
  • Cultivate the observation of nature and the discovery of unknown universes, and enjoy a change of scenery without travelling far from home
  • Recognise different types of soil and improve soil fertility to grow vegetables and trees by reviewing the various cycles (water, nitrogen, carbon).

Registration by email: sophie.david@centralesupelec.fr

Meeting point at the clearing behind CentraleSupélec’s Building Bouygues plan Google Maps).

  • Bicycle sale for students – Saturday 5 October from 10am to 5pm - Mail Pierre Potier Quartier de Moulon at Gif-sur-Yvette
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