© Quatre Natures_Yohann Moucheboeuf
Our commitment to the planet
In a time of climate urgency, we have stepped up our efforts with an ambitious sustainability action plan that commits the association and its members to achieving 13 major, measurable objectives by 2025. The plan is based on three main action pillars:
- fighting climate change;
- adopting eco-friendly practices and preserving biodiversity; and
- improving the social responsibility of businesses in our sector.
It sets out a coherent vision for adventure tourism and ecotourism actors, who are able to commit to the ecosystems and communities with which they interact, while also encouraging customers to do the same.
Incorporating eco-friendly practices into certification standards
One of our biggest goals is to place Quebec’s adventure tourism and ecotourism sector on a collective carbon-neutral trajectory by 2025. As such, adopting eco-friendly practices is one of the mandatory standards for Quality-Safety certification. Any business wishing to become a member of AEQ must:
- Obtain a Les Pages vertes eco-rating and a sustainable development action plan
In partnership with Les Pages vertes—Quebec’s directory of eco-friendly businesses—we offer our members free personalized support, including a diagnosis of eco-friendly practices, a sustainable development action plan and an eco-friendly rating.
- Perform a carbon audit (levels 1, 2 and 3)
The aim of a carbon audit is to help our tourism sector set appropriate greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets. We have been working in collaboration with Tourisme durable Québec to provide our members with a tool designed for adventure tourism and ecotourism organizations.
Thanks to the Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins for financially supporting our members’ carbon audit!”
A Commitment Shared by Our Team
We believe that leading by example is the most powerful way to inspire change. That’s why our association has embarked on its own journey of continuous improvement with Les Pages vertes. AEQ is proud to have earned the Excellence ecoresponsible certification from Les Pages vertes for 2025–2026. This process helps us better understand the challenges our members face and enhances the support we provide them.
An important springboard for achieving our goals
In 2020, Aventure Écotourisme Québec entered into a partnership with the international 1% for the Planet collective, becoming the first tourism association to do so. And so, the 1% for the Planet Outdoor Fund was born.
This fund is a turnkey tool for businesses in our sector. It helps them take philanthropic action for the environment, with the assurance of supporting foundational projects carried out here in Quebec and certified by 1% for the Planet. A portion of the funds is also reinvested in our tourism sector to support the green transition and help improve eco-friendly business practices. This is an important launchpad for achieving our sustainable development objectives for 2025.
How does it work?
- On a voluntary basis, our member businesses commit to donating 1% of their sales to the Fund each year, irrespective of their profitability.
- These amounts are donated to Quebec non-profit organizations to support projects seeking to protect ecosystems and wildlife species, as well as combat climate change.
- The Fund is managed by a management committee made up of representatives of business donors and civil society, who make sure that investments have maximum and lasting impact. The committee’s decisions are guided by a sustainable development expert and by the 1% for the Planet organization, which certifies non-profit organizations that receive donations.
Why a fund?
By working together, we can more effectively support foundational projects that have a tangible impact on the environment. The sales of Aventure Écotourisme Québec member businesses total over $2 million. Imagine what we will be able to do together once all our members—over 250 businesses—have joined the 1% for the Planet Outdoor Fund!
Discover how far we can go with 1%
By collectively investing in nature conservation projects here in Quebec, we maximize our positive impact on the environment through strength in numbers. Join the movement!
Honoured with a provincial award for our commitment
Aventure Écotourisme Québec (AEQ) and the 1% for the Planet Outdoor Fund are the winners of the 2025 Tourism Excellence Award (Prix excellence tourisme) in the Sustainable Development – Network category. This is an award presented by the Ministère du Tourisme and delivered by the Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec.