Published on April 1, 2026 – Updated on April 1, 2026

For several years, Polytech Clermont has been committed to a process of sustainable development and social responsibility (SDSR). We have fostered a dynamic approach to SDSR within our school across multiple educational, environmental, and economic aspects of sustainable development. Regarding the social dimension of SDSR, we also pay close attention to issues of gender equality, social inclusion, and equal opportunities, and we aim to contribute to greater well-being within our school community.


Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility Charter

The schools of the Polytech network commit to five key actions structuring their approach to sustainable development and social responsibility (SDSR) by signing a charter firmly oriented towards action. The charter aims to make the Polytech network an engaged and recognized actor in ecological issues, with the primary goal of training responsible and civic-minded engineers who are aware of the challenges of their time.

The Polytech network is committed to aligning its strategy with the major global challenges for a sustainable future by taking five strong commitments:

  • Commitment 1: Governance adapted to a network that claims its social responsibility
  • Commitment 2: Training all students on the challenges of ecological transition
  • Commitment 3: Strengthened involvement of research
  • Commitment 4: A concrete action plan to limit environmental impacts
  • Commitment 5: A social policy that values diversity

Partnership with the University Clermont Auvergne: the Jean Monnet "Erasmus" Centre of Excellence located at Polytech Clermont

Created on September 1, 2018, the Erasme Centre is a multidisciplinary structure pooling scientific, human, and documentary resources for studies and research on sustainable development in the European context. It is primarily a European-accredited label recognizing a certain level of expertise in sustainable development within the University Clermont Auvergne. The inauguration of this centre, co-financed by the European Union under the Jean Monnet ERASMUS+ program, took place on April 8, 2019.

On the educational front

  • “Sustainable Mobility” Polycompetence (Electrical Engineering)

This Polycompetence is part of the sustainable development theme, focusing particularly on mobility-related issues. Its goal is to provide students, at the end of their curriculum, with a holistic vision of mobility challenges and issues while maintaining the discipline-specific knowledge. Courses cover technical and technological aspects related to vehicles, energy production and storage, ecological impacts of infrastructure design (roads), as well as sociological aspects associated with emerging mobility modes. The dual purpose is to provide new knowledge and skills in areas not addressed in original programs and raise awareness of sustainable development issues in mobility.
Coordinator: Christophe PASQUIER.

  • Cross-disciplinary option “Bio-based Materials for Sustainable Development”

Courses revolve around an individual professional project, experimentally achievable, using bio-based materials. Circular economy concepts and sustainable development applications are also addressed across programs such as Sustainable Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Packaging and Plastics, and Materials for Mobility.
Coordinator: Fabrice AUDONNET.

  • Cross-disciplinary option “Energy”

An option open to all final-year Polytech students, providing a broad overview of issues related to energy production, distribution, storage, and use in modern societies, while maintaining the specificity of each student’s original department. Courses develop skills in energy system maintenance, management, optimization, and integration of renewable energy.
Coordinator: Christophe VIAL.

  • Bélénos2 educational project, solar vehicle (Physics Engineering)

A team of 42 students designed and built a multi-seat solar prototype vehicle, road-approved in Europe, over 2 years. Bélénos2 relies solely on solar energy via panels on its body. Its shape was optimized in a digital wind tunnel. Students worked on the composite structure, cockpit, power chain (photovoltaic panels, battery, wheel motors), and ground interfaces.
Coordinators: Lionel BATIER, Benoît BOUDOUR.

  • Occupational Safety and Health Day

This day requires prior INRS self-training (engineer-focused session on workplace risk prevention, with a certificate upon completion). It includes a “lecture/insights” part on workplace risks and safety (legislation, principles, actors, key documents) and a “workshops” part: analyzing and evaluating a workstation using GP/SST grids (with INRS videos and real case studies).

  • Quality of Work Life Day

Includes a “lecture/insights” part on professional risk prevention, psychosocial risks, and QWL (context, challenges, guidance), and a “workshops/games” part: “The QWL Hero” case study and “QWL Essentials” card games.
Coordinator: Marinette BOUET.

  • Half-day “Experience Sharing”

Students prepare a short presentation (5–6 minutes) on Quality of Work Life using examples from INRS/ARACT materials, addressing the company overview, objectives, and personal reflections. Groups of 15–20 students from all 5 departments share experiences to foster awareness and learning.
Coordinator: Marinette BOUET. Partners: ARACT Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, CARSAT, INRS.

An inclusive school: Polytech Clermont and the “Cordées de la Réussite” initiative

Since 2012, Polytech Clermont has participated in the “Cordées de la Réussite” program, creating partnerships with high schools and middle schools through school visits (Science Festival, educational trips) and presentations on engineering studies. A tutoring program also supports students with workshops to prepare for higher education, project guidance, and exam preparation.

Eco-campus project “@venir”

Engaged in a voluntary sustainable development policy alongside University Clermont Auvergne, Polytech Clermont participates in the “@venir” eco-campus project for the Césaux campus. This site is recognized as a pioneering campus by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research in partnership with the Caisse des Dépôts.

Energy savings
Heating temperatures are lowered during university breaks. Lighting consumption is reduced by replacing fluorescent tubes with LED lighting in high-use areas like lecture halls and lobbies. All end-of-life fluorescent tubes are sent to recycling facilities.

Green space maintenance
Lawns are mown using “mulching” (cut grass returns to soil as natural fertilizer). No chemical pesticides are used; only organic products.

Waste management
Batteries and accumulators are collected and recycled by specialized companies. Glass containers are collected between buildings, and aluminum cans are recycled through student-led initiatives in the metropolitan area.

Student life initiatives

PolyAct
A student initiative to support victims of harassment, violence, or assault, working with the University’s harassment support and Health Service.

Recycling initiatives
BDE has implemented sorting bins in student association rooms.