Environmentally Responsible General Meeting: Another Gesture Towards Changing the World…

Desjardins once again demonstrates its commitment to sustainable development

Lévis (Québec), March 27, 2008 - As part of its Change the World, One Step at a Time campaign and in keeping with its commitment to sustainable development, Desjardins will be holding its environmentally friendly Annual General Meeting this weekend. The cooperative institution is thus committed to reducing as much waste as possible and to planting trees to compensate for greenhouse gases generated by the 2,000 people traveling to attend this major event.

Desjardins was the first organization to support the Change the World, One Step at a Time campaign, launched by Équiterre on behalf of citizens, and adopt 12 corporate actions to generate sustainable spinoffs throughout Québec and Ontario.

This year's environmentally friendly event has four objectives for the Change the World, One Step at a Time campaign, namely: reductions at source and residual waste management, compensation for greenhouse gas generated by participants travelling to attend the Meeting, surplus food redistribution and activities to raise awareness among Desjardins officers and employees with respect to sustainable development issues.

Greenhouse Gas Offsets

Those who attend the Desjardins Annual General Meeting come from all regions of Québec and Ontario. Most of them must travel by car, which produces carbon monoxide (CO₂), a greenhouse gas. Desjardins has established systems to calculate the volume of gas emissions as accurately as possible, and has mandated Corporation Saint-Laurent with the task of planting trees to offset these emissions.

Residual Waste Management

In addition, organizing such an event inevitably involves the use of a variety of materials, many of which are recyclable. The Québec City Convention Centre residual waste management system will allow participants to deposit all glass, aluminium, plastic, paper and cardboard into designated bins, which will be placed in various places throughout the Convention Centre. Moreover, the use of durable dishware will contribute actively to reducing the use of disposable dishware, which represents a major source of waste production at these types of events.

In addition, Desjardins has formed a partnership with Tablée des chefs, which is responsible for arranging the redistribution of surplus food with Moisson Québec. Surplus food is to be delivered to Maison de Lauberivière, a drop-in centre, temporary shelter and social rehabilitation centre for individuals experiencing difficulties within the Québec City area.

"Changing the world one step at a time is not an act of piety but a solid commitment that demonstrates our willingness to rethink our management practices in order to contribute to social and environmental improvements," stated Mr. Alban D'Amours, Desjardins Group President and CEO.

Desjardins Group has signed on with the United Nations' UNEP Statement by Financial Institutions on the Environment and Sustainable Development.

About Desjardins Group

The largest integrated cooperative financial group in Canada, with global assets of over $144 billion as at December 31, 2007, Desjardins Group consists of a network of caisses/branches, credit unions and financial centres for Québec- and Ontario-based companies, as well as about 20 subsidiaries in life and general insurance, securities, venture capital, and asset management, many of which are active nationwide. With the skills of its 40,000 employees and the commitment of more than 6,500 elected officers, Desjardins offers its 5.8 million members and clients-individuals and businesses alike-a full range of financial products and services. Its physical distribution network is rounded out by virtual access methods supported by leading-edge technology.

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