The Journée des futurs étudiants (future students' day) is a welcoming activity that takes place each spring. For the occasion, Polytechnique opens its doors to students who have been accepted into bachelors' programs that start the following fall. This year's event was held in the sustainable Lassonde buildings, and organized in keeping with a series of green initiatives.

Polytechnique Montréal reduced the event's carbon footprint by eight credits (eight tonnes) by purchasing Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) certified carbon offset credits through ZEROCO². In so doing, Polytechnique contributed to the development of a renewable-energy hydroelectricity project in Brazil, the UHE Mascarenhas power upgrading project, whose principal objective is to provide clean and renewable energy to local populations by increasing the productivity of an existing hydroelectricity plant. The greenhouse gases emitted by the event's attendees were calculated using a post-event survey.

This year's initiatives also included the purchase of promotional shirts made in Québec instead of in China, the distribution of fountain drinks and fair trade coffee, the rental of several additional recycling stations, and the online posting of directions to Polytechnique that suggested using eco-responsible means of transportation. These initiatives were significant for Polytechnique and its future students, who share our concern for sustainable development.

See also:
Sustainable development website (in French only)
Future students' website (in French only)