This text is part of the special Feminine Leadership notebook
The Montreal Symphony Orchestra (OSM) is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2024. The nonagenarian institution, which makes a point of being in harmony with the values of the time, wants to become a model of eco-responsibility in the cultural environment. A constantly evolving process, led by Marie-Hélène Forest and her colleagues.
Transforming the habits and customs of an institution founded in the 1930s is no easy task. This is the project that Marie-Hélène Forest has embarked on in recent years, after spending a decade within the orchestra’s artistic team.
“For about ten years, I was responsible, among other things, for the organization and planning of the OSM’s various projects, as well as the musical programming,” explains the former violinist and hornist. From 2019, I started to become interested in environmental issues and, ultimately, we set up the sustainable development committee. »
Her involvement led to the creation of a new position within the organization, tailor-made for her. La Joliettaine was named senior advisor for strategic initiatives in October 2022. Among its new functions: the implementation of the organization’s strategic plan which prioritizes sustainable development in particular.
“We have adopted a strategic plan which extends from 2022 to 2027,” adds Marie-Hélène Forest. In this plan, emphasis was placed in particular on the DEIA component [diversité, équité, inclusion et antiracisme] as well as eco-responsibility. A way of making our commitment on these issues even more “official”. »
Movement and nuances
Thanks to the work of the sustainable development committee and financial assistance from the Quebec government, the OSM adopted, in 2022, the first eco-responsibility policy in its history.
“We started with a diagnosis of our practices at the OSM, to see what we could do better,” she remembers. The policy was adopted by the board of directors and made public. We have also developed action plans that cover all spheres of activity of the orchestra. »
Among its spheres of activity, the movement of orchestra members appears to be one of the organization’s greatest challenges. Tours are regularly organized around the world, and musicians from other countries are also invited to come and play in Montreal. An obvious environmental cost.
“It is certain that the orchestra has a role of cultural ambassador for the city and the country. We’re not going to stop touring overnight. However, since the July 2022 tour in South Korea, we have been calculating the greenhouse gases emitted during our travels and offsetting them [par l’achat de crédits carbone avec la plateforme Planetair]. Before opting for compensation tools, we first aim to reduce emissions by optimizing, as far as possible, the tour itinerary, travel, cargo, etc. »
In tune with the world
In 2022, Marie-Hélène Forest and her colleagues celebrated a small victory on the events side, another sector with a significant impact on the environment. For the first time, the OSM succeeded in obtaining “eco-responsible event” certification from the Quebec Council of Eco-Responsible Events.
“We managed to have the Classical Spree certified as level 1, which is one of our biggest events of the summer,” she says with pride. It was still a tour de force, given that we were coming out of the pandemic and had plenty of organizational challenges. Last year, we reached level 2 of this same certification. It’s the fun to see that we are progressing. »
To obtain level 1 certification, the organizers paid particular attention to the choice of local suppliers, the reuse of equipment and flaunting elements and the origin of the food served as part of the event.
“The employee canteen is now vegetarian and we use washable dishes,” says one who participated in the Women4Climate mentoring program. These are small gestures, but we try to make efforts on all scales. »
Marie-Hélène Forest also reminds us that these environmental sensitivities are increasingly common… and expected in the events industry. “In the cultural world, more generally, I think there has been an interest in ecological questions over the last four or five years. When applying for grants, eco-responsibility is now part of the evaluation criteria. It reflects a certain progress. »
A step in the right direction, which the OSM wants to continue to follow in the coming years to contribute, as best it can, to the fight against climate change.
“Environmental issues affect us as humans and as an organization. The OSM is not in parallel with society, it evolves through it,” emphasizes Marie-Hélène Forest.
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