Change the world, one step at a time
Summary of “Sustainable Development-Friendly Action”
My Money
Volume 45, number 3, special edition, June 2008
Responding to Équiterre’s invitation, Desjardins is taking action to “change the world, one step at a time.” To achieve this, Desjardins has committed to:
- reducing work-related travel
- encouraging responsible purchases and local farming
- promoting the consumption of fair-trade coffee
- improving the ecological efficiency of its buildings and equipment
- implementing a waste management program
- redistributing surplus food from its major events
- encouraging its employees to become socially involved in the community
Each year, on Earth Day, Desjardins also does its part through the Desjardins Paper Challenge, a project to reduce paper consumption by 15%, and through the Eco-friendly Statement Challenge, a project to plant a tree for each member who replaces all paper account statements with online statements.
Examples of how Desjardins and its caisses are protecting the environment
Caisse Thérèse-de-Blainville
The first caisse—and the first enterprise on Montreal’s North Shore—to adhere to the “Zero CO2” standard. Some 280 tons of carbon generated last year by the Caisse employees’ and executives’ work-related travel was offset by the planting of 1,800 trees in the city territory.
Another first: The Caisse produced its annual report, social responsibility report and financial statements on CD-ROM.
Caisse populaire Sieur-d’Iberville
The first caisse to receive the “Here, we recycle!” performance certification from Recyc-Québec for its efforts in waste management. The Caisse recycles 99% of paper and cardboard and 100% of plastic and glass within its premises. It has reduced its weekly volume of waste from a large dumpster to a single wastebasket.
Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins, Montréal Service Centre
The first financial institution to be associated with the Brundtland project. Recipient of the “Here, we recycle!” certification from Recyc-Québec for reducing its paper consumption (by 19% in 2007) and for its responsible consumption initiatives.
Desjardins General Insurance Group
To encourage drivers to reduce their environmental footprint, this Desjardins subsidiary offers a special insurance policy for hybrid vehicles that has a 10% reduction in premiums.
VISA Desjardins Card Services
Desjardins offers 2 VISA Desjardins Affinity credit cards that enable users to support sustainable development: the VISA Desjardins Nature – Fondation de la faune du Québec card and the VISA Desjardins – Fondation québécoise en environnement card. A percentage of the total amount of purchases made with either of these cards is automatically donated to the related foundation by Desjardins.
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