iA Financial Group has announced that it will be taking steps, starting next year, to become carbon neutral.
The company said in a release that it would offset its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by purchasing carbon credits. iA Financial explained that by purchasing these carbon credits, it will invest in three sustainability projects – two in Canada, one in the US – in conjunction with Planetair, a carbon neutral project initiative of the Canadian non-profit UNISFERA International Centre.
The three sustainability projects iA Financial will invest in are a reforestation in Quebec, a conservation project in British Columbia, and a wind turbine park in Texas. For the reforestation project, iA Financial’s investment will result in nearly 29,000 trees being planted. The company’s investment in the BC conservation project will help the preservation of 7,900 hectares of inland rainforest that is home to 40 endangered species. Finally, IA’s wind project contribution will help in the construction of 75 turbines.
“Our commitment to becoming a carbon neutral company is part of a continued approach aimed at reducing our environmental footprint and fighting climate change”, said iA Financial president and CEO Denis Ricard. “For 20 years, we have focused and continue to focus on initiatives aimed at reducing our GHG emissions as much as possible. We are now at the step of offsetting our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through positive initiatives to fight climate change.”
