Join the Fight Against Climate Change by Using Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS

Another way to change the world, one step at a time

LÉVIS, QC, Dec. 7 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, the first day of the international negotiations concerning climate change, in Copenhagen , Denmark , Desjardins Group is proud to announce that its members and clients will henceforth be able to play an active role in the fight against climate change by exchanging their BONUSDOLLARS for carbon offset credits. BONUSDOLLARS are accumulated under the Desjardins BONUSDOLLARS Rewards Program for holders of the following VISA Desjardins credit cards: Classic, Elegance, Modulo, Odyssey, and Platinum.

Desjardins, which has already taken several steps for the environment and sustainable development, today became the first financial institution in the country to offer this type of reward through its own rewards program.

Effective as of today, by virtue of a partnership agreement with Planetair, Desjardins members and clients can offset their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by acquiring carbon credits. Under this program, for only 36 BONUSDOLLARS, they can procure enough carbon credits to compensate for one tonne of GHG emissions, i.e. the equivalent of driving the family car 5,000 km. Exchanging BONUSDOLLARS is easy, simply consult the online catalogue at www.desjardins.com/cartes/primes and click on the "Green Rewards" icon, or call 1-888-552-6643.

Carbon credits enable everyone to contribute to the fight against climate change by funding a share of the projects designed to replace polluting technologies by clean, renewable energy. For credits offered by Planetair, a third party verifies that the money received is indeed used for the realization of the projects for which it was collected. These are generally projects in developing countries where it is difficult to find financing. For example, Madagascar received financing from Planetair credits for the construction of the country's first wind farm, which will reduce both deforestation and the use of coal.

This is one more initiative taken by Desjardins in the implementation of its institutional campaign: "Change the world, one step at a time", in partnership with Équiterre. In addition to facilitating access to carbon credits, it increases the awareness of the caisses' membership and clientele to climate change, and incites them to take action.

About Planetair

Planetair's goal is to raise public awareness of climate change and to offer the best carbon offsets on the market. The David Suzuki Foundation and the Pembina Institute have recognized Planetair as the second best Canadian supplier of carbon credits (www.planetair.ca). The complete list is available at www.davidsuzuki.qc.ca. Planetair is a service offered by Unisféra, a not-for-profit organization based in Montreal .

About Desjardins Group

Desjardins Group is the largest cooperative financial group in Canada , and the sixth largest in the world, with overall assets of $163 billion . Drawing on the strength of its caisse network in Québec and Ontario, as well as its subsidiaries, several of which are active throughout Canada , Desjardins offers a full range of financial products and services to its 5.8 million individual and business members and clients. Desjardins Group is also home to a wealth of expertise in property and casualty insurance, life and health insurance, wealth management, services for businesses of all sizes, securities brokerage, venture capital, asset management and secure leading-edge virtual access methods, all part of an integrated offer that is the only one of its kind in Canada . One of the largest employers in the country, Desjardins is backed by the knowledge and skills of its 42,000 employees and the commitment of its 6,300 elected officers. To find out more, consult www.desjardins.com.

For further information: for journalists only: Caroline Phémius, Advisor, Media Relations, [phone], 1-866-866-7000, ext. 7646, [email protected]