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Press releases
With the
concerted efforts of STM and Planetair,
CRIM's Training Centre becomes
Quebec's first carbon-neutral training centre
Montreal, September 10, 2008 –
Yves Sanssouci, President and CEO, CRIM, is thrilled to announce the
adoption of a new sustainable development strategy by the CRIM Training
Centre. Emerging from a joint venture, called “Objective: Carbon Free
(Destination Z�ro Carbone)”, the Société de transport de
Montréal (STM) and Planetair, the CRIM Training Centre is now
the first carbon-neutral training centre in Québec.
Yves Sanssouci explains CRIM’s initiative as “An opportunity to exercise
our leadership and increase our clients’ awareness and encourage them to
support these green actions in our business environment. The CRIM Training
Centre is implementing this important first step as part of its overall
environmental policy.”
“As an integral part of our Objective: Carbon Free commitment,
three specific measures will be implemented at CRIM’s Montréal premises,”
announces Gis�le LaRue, Vice President of the Training Centre, “Supported
by the STM, our first initiative consists in giving two free bus-metro
tickets to all our clients who attend a training session to encourage them
to use public transit. With Planetair’s assistance, the CRIM Training
Centre will offset GHG emissions generated by its commuting Montreal-area
clients. Furthermore, a number of “green” initiatives will become part of
the Training Centre’s activities.”
Promote the use of mass transportation
“The STM is proudly committed to sustainable transportation and delighted
to be involved with CRIM in this innovative approach to promote mass
transportation,” states Pierre Bourbonni�re, Marketing Director at the
STM, “We are taking this opportunity to acknowledge our partners in this
forward-looking initiative which we hope will encourage other employers
and organisations to follow suit.”
Participate in renewable energy projects
By investing in renewable energy projects, the CRIM Training Centre is
advancing the fight against climate change. In teaming up with Planetair –
and voluntarily buying carbon credits to offset its greenhouse gas impact
– the CRIM Training Centre is joining the ranks of the certified carbon
neutral entities such as the David Suzuki Foundation, Festival
International de jazz de Montréal and the National Hockey League’s 523
players.
“In the campaign against climate change, CRIM’s vision is commendable as
it encompasses this battle’s essential components such as addressing
emission reduction at its source, which CRIM is accomplishing thanks to
its partnership with the STM and by offsetting the remaining emissions
with Planetair. The ensuing impact is immediate and real: a carbon-neutral
training centre!” highlights Julian Lee, Programme Manager at Planetair.
A number of “green” initiatives
The CRIM Training Centre is also implementing a number of “green”
initiatives throughout its various activities. In addition to producing
web-based brochures and course manuals, and offering their print version
on recycled paper, the centre’s computers are already compliant with the
EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) Gold standard,
the highest level of this quality standard in reducing the impact computer
products have on the environment. Learners at the Centre are encouraged to
participate in this communal effort: using recyclable plates and utensils,
recycling bins, various other incentives namely closing their screens,
taking the stairs instead of the elevator, closing the lights, etc.). One
by one, this string of smaller gestures will make a difference.
“The core motivation of these innovations is a greener planet obtained
through the collective efforts of the CRIM Training Centre’s clients and
employees, who from a heightened sense of awareness and accountability
have developed a greener attitude,” proudly states Gis�le LaRue.
About CRIM
CRIM is an Information Technologies (IT) applied research centre that
develops and transfers technologies and knowledge. By offering more than
180 course titles relating primarily to emerging and leading methodologies
and technologies, the CRIM Training Centre responds to the training needs
of businesses and organisations in the field of IT. Close to 2,600
specialists and managers participate each year in the Training Centre’s
300+ training activities given by the centre's 60 highly qualified expert
instructors. Web:
www.crim.ca
About Planetair
Launched in 2005, Planetair (planetair.ca) is a not-for-profit service
offered by the Unisf�ra International Centre, a leading provider of
sustainable development expertise. Planetair’s GHG management solutions
help individuals, corporations, and institutions to measurably reduce
their climate footprint. Planetair is the first Canadian provider of
carbon offset credits carrying the Gold Standard accreditation, a quality
seal for voluntary offsets that is the most widely accepted and supported
by Canada’s most significant NGOs such as the David Suzuki Foundation and
WWF International. Web:
http://planetair.ca
About STM
A public transit corporation, the STM is a key component to economic
growth in the Montreal area, while contributing to the quality of life of
citizens and supporting sustainable development. The STM develops and
operates an integrated transit network, courteously providing customers
with reliable, rapid, safe and comfortable transportation. Its clients and
employees, as well as its corporate and commercial partners are proud of
this relationship, because the STM is known for delivering quality
services at a fair price. Web:
www.stm.info
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