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Some 300 guests—business and sustainable development leaders, MNAs and engaged citizens—attended Équiterre’s ninth Montreal Benefit Cocktail on October 26. The turnout for the Quebec City Benefit Cocktail on September 27 was equally impressive. Thanks to their support, Équiterre raised $120,500 to fund important projects involving issues such as climate change, local organic food and green transportation.
Both events focused on renewable energies. Images of wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and hydroelectric energy in action (provided by various partners) were projected onto giant screens throughout the evening, creating an immersive experience. They showed that we have the technologies, expertise and skills to switch to green energy, as well as public support.
“This meeting of politicians and business and sustainable development leaders to discuss renewable energy shows the progress Équiterre has made in the course of its 23-year history. We are proud to contribute to intelligent, innovative discussion on energy transition,” said Équiterre Executive Director Sidney Ribaux.
True to form, Équiterre worked with caterer Vincent Lafleur to make sure the event was 100% environmentally responsible. The 100% vegetarian menu featured 92.5% local and 66% organic produce.
A sincere thank you to all our governors, major partners and all the guests for your support, which helps Équiterre change the world one step at a time!
Quebec Cocktail 2016
From left to right: Borea construction, Mr. Jérôme Marcoux, Vice-President, Cascades, Mr. Mario Plourde, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ecosystem, Mr. André Rochette, Founding President and CEO, Équiterre, Mrs. Hélène Dufresne, President of the Board of Directors, M. Steven Guilbeault, Cofounder and Senior Director, Hydro-Québec, Mrs. Stella Leney, Senior Director – Environnement et affaires corporatives, Desjardins, Mr. Mario Quintin, Director Coopération, Affaires et Responsabilité sociale, Équiterre, Mr. Sidney Ribaux, Cofounder and Senior Director
Montreal Cocktail 2016
From left to right : Desjardins, Mr. Mario Quintin, Director Coopération, Affaires et Responsabilité sociale, Québecor inc., Mrs. Chrystal Healy, Director Affaires environnementales, Hydro-Québec, Mrs. Stella Leney, Senior Director – Environnement et affaires corporatives, Équiterre, Mr. Sidney Ribaux, Cofounder and Senior Director, Mrs. Hélène Dufresne, President of the Board of Directors, Ivanhoé Cambridge, Mr. Patrice Bonin, Senior Director, Service aux propriétés.
Click on the links below to see the events in pictures and immerse yourself in a world of renewable energy:
ENERGY RENEWABLE FACTS
- Quebec is one of the leaders in renewable energy; 97% of all the electricity it produces is ‘green’ electricity!
- In Canada, for every million invested in renewable energies, 15 jobs are created, compared to just 2 in oil sands development.
- According to the International Energy Agency, annual investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency will be $2,300 billion in 2035.
- In 2014, some 7.7 million people were employed in the renewable energy sector.
- Investments in renewable energy create six to eight times more jobs than fossil fuel investments.
- A wind turbine produces 10-60 times more energy during its lifetime in operation than was used to construct it.
- A marine turbine emits one hundredth of the greenhouse gases produced by a conventional system (coal, oil, gas).
- Fossil energies are 500% more subsidized than renewable energies. With the same amount, renewable energies would be more profitable.
- Hydropower and wind power support over 50,000 permanent jobs in Quebec!
