Sustainable Development Department

Sustainable development has been an important part of Centrale Nantes' strategy since 2006 and is supported by various action plans. Meeting "sustainable development objectives" implies concerted efforts across Centrale Nantes activities and departments. The newly created position of Director of Sustainable Development and of a network of coordinators will guarantee a cross-disciplinary approach and bring together the necessary "business" skills.
 

Newly created position of Director of Sustainable Development

Emmanuel Rozière was appointed Director for Sustainable Development in September 2020 and is a member of the school's Executive Committee. His remit is to draw up an action plan for sustainable development, based on five national priorities: Strategy and governance, Teaching and training, Research, Environmental management, Social policy and local communities.


Centrale Nantes signs up to a manifesto for an eco-responsible industry

In the summer of 2020 Centrale Nantes signed up to the EMC2 cluster's* manifesto "For an eco-responsible industry". The manifesto sets out a commitment to "a sober and ecologically respectful industry (...) that places human beings at the heart of its considerations in order to respond to health and societal issues." In addition, this industry must be "efficient and innovative to meet the challenges of competitiveness and competition; resolutely collaborative and supportive to help the region and sectors, and strategic to meet the challenges of independence" in partnership with local companies.

Download the manifesto (in French)

* The EMC2 cluster is a European competitiveness cluster for manufacturing technologies. It supports start-ups, SMEs, mid-sizes, large groups and academics on the path to clean production.

An online platform for sustainable development is underway

An online platform for sustainable development at Centrale Nantes is currently in development. It features, in particular, a section devoted to research work conducted at the school on energy transition, for example. Several projects are supported by WEAMEC (West Atlantic Marine Energy Community), which federates the Pays de la Loire Renewable Marine Energy ecosystem in Research, Innovation and Training.

Project examples:
 
  • FARWIND is a start-up in the Centrale-Audencia-Ensa incubator, which is developing a solution for converting offshore hydroelectric power into renewable fuel.
  • The SOFTWIND  project is developing an experimental platform for modelling floating wind turbine behaviour in a wave tank based on a software-in-the-loop approach.
  • FLOATEOLE focuses on the experimental characterisation of the impact of platform movements on the aerodynamic behaviour of floating wind turbines and their wake.
  • The EDYCEM – Centrale Nantes Chair is working on sustainable concrete.
  • The RobEcolo project aims to design an industrial robot made from wood in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during production.


Action taken in collaboration with the students

Centrale Nantes wishes to involve its students and work with them in its approach to sustainable development. As part of this joint action, the school responded to the "Manifesto for an ecological awakening" survey signed by the school's students. Known as "Le Grand Baromètre", this survey assesses the school's commitment to ecological transition on 6 key issues:
 
  • Strategy and governance of the institution
  • Inclusion of environmental issues in the curriculum
  • Career prospects
  • Research activity
  • Associative life
  • Sustainable practices on campus

Learn more (in French)
Published on January 5, 2021 Updated on March 28, 2023