1993
Beginning of Équiterre
Équiterre is founded by 6 youth: Steven Guilbeault, Patrick Henn, Elizabeth Hunter, François Meloche, Sidney Ribaux and Laure Waridel.
Ongoing
30 years of environmental activism
To accelerate the transition to a more just and ecological world
Équiterre celebrates 30 years
In 1993, a group of young people came together to build a better world. A world where the food we eat is healthy and environmentally responsible, where we can get around via active and shared transportation, where we speak out and mobilize against destructive projects and mobilize in favour of societal projects that enhance and protect our communities, our planet and all species that live on it.
30 years later, a vast community of members, volunteers, employees, supporters and partners continues to push toward this common goal. We’re part of a powerful, growing and impactful movement, working in collaboration with a multitude of actors.
Équiterre 30 years later
Our vision
Équiterre is working to establish new principles for how we feed ourselves, how we get around and how we produce and consume, that are designed for our communities, respectful of our ecosystems, in line with social justice and of course, low in carbon.
Over 30 years of progress
Through research, support, education, mobilization and awareness building initiatives, Équiterre has been working for over 30 years to create favourable conditions in which systemic change is possible.
1995
The start of our "Libre comme l’air" bike trips
Carbon neutral events that brought together hundreds of cyclists on different routes in Quebec to discover inspiring local initiatives in organic agriculture, sustainable mobility and regional environmental issues.
1996
The beginning of our Family Farmers Network
Based on the principles of community supported agriculture (CSA), Équiterre developped the organic basket model in Quebec to encourage local and organic food.
Équiterre starts to work on fair trade
A vast awareness-building effort to encourage fair trade products in Quebec.
2002
The start of our work to encourage local organic food among youth organizations
Montreal gets a bike share system
2003
We begin our awareness work on the “Cocktail transport”
Creation of the Quebec pesticides management code
2005
The Kyoto Protocol comes into effect
2006
Équiterre begins working on pesticides
2007
We begin our work promoting actions to reduce our environmental footprint : Changer le monde, un geste à la fois
2008
Équiterre contributes to Défi Climat, to educate and mobilize on the fight against climate change
2009
Quebec adopts North America’s most ambitious GHG reduction target
2011
We begin our work helping hospitals and other institutions in sourcing local organic food for their food services
Équiterre starts working on environmentally responsible events and activities
Inauguration of the Maison du développement durable (MDD)
Our demonstration project on how to build sustainable buildings, in cooperation with a number of groups
2013
Quebec unveils its strategy to position Quebec food in the institutional market
Quebec’s carbon market is established
2014
We begin our work to promote electric transportation
2015
Quebec issues a policy on transportation electrification
The Paris Agreement is signed
2016
Canada adopts its first Canadian climate plan
Funding is secured for the Route Verte, to save Quebec’s network of bike paths
2017
Quebec is the first province to adopt a zero emission vehicle (ZEV) standard
The Energy East oil pipeline project is abandoned
The government of Canada adopts a national clean fuel standard
Canada adopts a plan to implement a pan-Canadian framework buildings strategy
2018
We begin working on stopping fossil fuel subsidies
We begin our mobilization efforts around elections
We begin working on product durability and repairability
Adoption of Quebec’s first policy on sustainable mobility
Start of the federal carbon pricing system
2019
Équiterre starts working on soil health
We begin our work to raise awareness about “natural” gas
The government of Quebec announces the modernization of our deposit refund system
2020
Canada and Quebec commit to net zero emissions targets by 2050
Quebec adopts a climate governance framework
The Teck Frontier oil sands mine project is abandoned
A new Natural Climate Solutions Fund is created for Canadian agriculture
A new Quebec strategy to steer public institutions toward local food supply chains is established
Quebec’s Plan for a Green Economy (PEV) is unveiled
Équiterre's decolonization initiative begins
2021
Canada announces that the sale of new gas-powered vehicles will be banned as of 2035
Quebec pledges to end oil and gas exploration and development on its territory
The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act is adopted
Vista coal mine expansion project is abandoned
GNL Quebec gas project is abandoned
The project to expand the Quebec City Port is abandoned
We begin raising awareness on the impact of light trucks' proliferation on our roads
We begin working on source reduction
2022
Montreal adopts new rules that prohibit the delivery of marketing flyers to homes without explicit consent
Funding for Quebec agro-environmental programs
Canada adopts a new Emissions Reduction Plan for 2030
Canada commits to publishing a standard on zero emission vehicles (ZEV)
Quebec becomes the first state in the world to ban oil and gas development on its territory
2023
Start of our awareness-raising work on climate disinformation and polarization
Launch of Alliance SaluTERRE for the protection of Quebec’s agricultural lands and activities
Quebec adopts the Act to protect consumers from planned obsolescence and to promote the durability, repairability and maintenance of goods
2024
Launch of the Shop Smarter, Eat Better microsite, providing consumers with concrete solutions for healthy eating that won't break the bank or ruin the planet.
Our theory of change
A just and sustainable societal transformation can occur when three optimal conditions come together: the emergence of solutions on the ground; the adoption of sound public policies; and the development of a new social norm.
🌎 We have the power to keep moving things forward.
The pace of the transition is still too slow, but we’ve come a long way and we’ve made considerable progress in the past three decades. Quebecers are very aware and mobilized on environmental issues.
“ We must be proud of how far we’ve come and we must push forward together! ”
30th anniversary fundraising campaign
41%
of Équiterre’s funding comes from individual donors
So much ground has been covered in 30 years.
With the support of the community, we’re creating awareness and changing social norms. Your donations have helped us to assemble a team of committed experts, actively engaged in setting the record straight, denouncing the socio-environmental inaction of our decision-makers, but also in collaboration, sharing knowledge, seeking new ways of doing things and inspiring change across the country.
Through dialogue and openness, and with a focus on vulnerable communities who are being affected the most by the bioclimatic crisis, we’re continuing with our important work to improve the world.
The larger our movement, the stronger and more powerful our influence. Thank you for standing with us.
