More than 165 exhibitors and 35,000 visitors are expected to descend on Montreal's Old Port for three days beginning June 13th, to share ideas about living more sustainably.

The "Salon national de l'environnement" (SNE) was developed out of a citizens’ initiative in 2006. The event looks at the current challenges to the environment and offers visitors concrete solutions. The event describes as its objective "to make visitors aware of today’s environmental challenges, while proposing solutions and tools for people to have a better understanding and to encourage behavioral changes."

The SNE is divided into the following five major categories:

1. Transportation: alternative or low-emission means of transportation, hybrid, hydrogen or electric cars, public transportation, carpooling, etc.

2. Awareness and Education: awareness organizations, groups, agencies, private companies, government departments, teaching institutions, environmental training, placement services, health institutions, research organizations and laboratories, etc.

3. NGOs, Environmental Groups and Associations: protecting natural resources, flora and fauna, green spaces, waterways, lakes, rivers, forests, analyzing and treating soil, water and air, decontamination, etc.

4. Energy and Housing: energy efficiency, clean and renewable energy, new technology, ecological construction, renovations, green materials, eco-villages, social housing, shared accommodation, etc.

5. Responsible Consumption and The 4 Rs: reduction at the source, recycling, re-use and rehabilitation, bio-agriculture, fair trade, ethical investments, simple living, support organizations, eco-tourism, etc.

Exhibitors will range from green consumer products developers to organic food and beverage producers to media companies engaged in environmentally conscious subject matter.

The Salon's roster of sponsors reads like a list of usual suspects among Quebec organizations with an interest in communicating their sensitivity to the environment, including the STM (société des transports de Montréal), The Province of Quebec, and Gaz Métro. Also participating as event partners are large sponsors such as Toyota and Transcontinental, and smaller organizations such as Perennia and Echo-Logique.

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