Tourisme Montréal compensates for its greenhouse gas emissions by participating in a local reforestation project

MONTRÉAL, Jan. 22, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - In their ongoing mission to promote Montréal abroad, Tourisme Montréal employees travelled extensively by air over the course of the last year, consequently generating over 214 tonnes of CO₂. Dedicated to sustainable development, the Tourisme Montréal office will compensate for its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by purchasing carbon credits, which, in turn, will contribute to a Montréal region reforestation project thanks to a partnership with the innovative Québec company, CO₂ Environnement.

As part of their eco-responsible objectives set in 2008 and implemented almost two years ago, Tourisme Montréal has established a variety of concrete actions in the effort to offset its carbon footprint and to encourage the tourism industry to follow suit and "go green".

Following an independent analysis performed by Planetair, close to $6,000 has been invested in carbon credits in order to finance reforestation measures managed by CO₂ Environnement on lands outside of Montréal. The purchase of such credits offsets the GHG emissions of 214.05 tonnes of CO₂ produced by the 1,207,173.71 km of air travel flown by Tourisme Montréal personnel for business purposes in 2012. To compare, this compensatory measure will have the same positive impact on the environment as removing over 53 cars from the road¹.

"This is the third time that Tourisme Montréal has participated in such compensatory actions and we feel that this gesture clearly illustrates the importance given to our green practices, as well as our dedication to reducing our carbon footprint. Not only do we strive to motivate and lead our members and partners to do the same, but on a larger scale, we wish to forge the path towards sustainable development for others in the tourism industry," underlines the Honourable Charles Lapointe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tourisme Montréal.

In an effort to mobilize the industry, the organization also established a green committee for the Montréal tourism community, as well as a sub-committee to handle the particular challenges associated with planning responsible meetings and conventions. As such, an online tool box will soon be at the disposal of event organizers. Tourisme Montréal also works on other projects in priority industry sectors: green food services and festivals.

Business or leisure travellers who prioritize responsible travel may visit the Green Montréal page of the Tourisme Montréal web site for further details.

About CO₂ Environnement inc.
CO₂ Environnement is a Québec company founded in 2011. Its mission is twofold: to restore degraded lands and ecosystems by planting trees and to certify projects with the objective of obtaining high-quality carbon credits. The company's carbon credits are certified under the CarbonFix standard (a Gold Standard transition) and verified by Rainforest Alliance, an internationally renowned third party.

CO² Environnement planting sites are located in Terrebonne on land owned by the Le Mirage Golf Club, in Carignan on land owned by a private developer, in Saint-Bruno on land owned by the DJL company, in Mirabel on land donated by Aéroports de Montréal and the Ministère des Transports du Québec, as well as in Blainville on municipal land.

About Tourisme Montréal
Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership in the concerted efforts of hospitality and promotion in order to position the "Montréal" destination on leisure and business travel markets. It is also responsible for developing Montréal's tourism product in accordance with the ever-changing conditions of the market. For more information, please visit www.tourisme-montreal.org.

^1 An average driver produces approximately 4 tonnes of CO2 annually.

 

SOURCE: TOURISME MONTREAL

Alexandra Graveline
Manager - Corporate Public Relations
Tourisme Montréal
514 844-3558
[email protected]