As part of its approach, UV Insurance added up its head office’s energy consumption and its corporate vehicle fleet’s energy expenditure for a normal year, which totals 33 tonnes of CO2. Since a single tree can store the equivalent of 0.2 tonnes of carbon over its lifetime, 175 trees were purchased and planted in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean by Coopérative forestière Ferland-Boilleau. “Offsetting greenhouse gas emissions through tree planting is a small, yet practical gesture that reflects our mutual company’s core values of commitment and solidarity, and aims to make a real contribution to collective efforts in response to climate change,” said Christian Mercier, President and CEO of UV Insurance.
Trees help the environment out in many ways, like regulating the microclimate, purifying the air, absorbing carbon, preserving soil and controlling erosion.
Several other environmentally friendly initiatives
In recent years, the company began a major shift to a paperless approach to reduce its environmental footprint and offer innovative technological solutions to its network of advisors and clients. These initiatives significantly reduce the use of paper in day-to-day operations.
Through its various actions, UV Insurance also promotes active and sustainable mobility among its employees by providing indoor bike parking and electric vehicle charging stations at its head office. Teleworking has also been strongly encouraged for over 15 years. “Before the pandemic, 40% of our employees were already teleworking, and now we’re at 80%,” added Mr. Mercier. “More than 160 out of 200 employees don’t use their cars every day to go to work.”
About UV Insurance
Founded in 1889, UV Insurance is one of Canada’s oldest insurance companies. It has become well known for its financial stability and customer service to the local community. It offers a range of individual and critical illness insurance, group insurance, and investment and retirement products. Over time, the company has stood out by focusing on flexible products and a vast network of independent advisors. Headquartered in Drummondville, the company serves the Canadian market, particularly Quebec and Ontario.
UV Insurance is a trade name and trademark of The Union Life Mutual Assurance Company.
About SOCODEVI, of which UV Insurance is a member as a mutual insurance company
SOCODEVI is a network of cooperative entreprises and mutuals that contributes to improving living conditions of disadvantaged families in developing countries by supporting the creation and strengthening of cooperative and associative entreprises that are inclusive, autonomous, profitable and sustainable.
– 30 –
For more information
Marilyn Baril
Communications Director
UV Insurance
mbaril@uvinsurance.ca
819-478-1315, ext. 2541