2 April 2024

13:30 – 15:05

Amphi 4

Sébastien Gariépy

Immersed in the world of real estate from the age of 18, Sébastien Gariépy has forged his path with an infectious passion. His career, a saga of real estate successes, bears witness to his unrivalled flair for opportunity. With a Certificate in Real Estate Financial Engineering from Collège de la MREX and a Certificate in Business Management from HEC Montréal, Sébastien has fused his passion with solid expertise. He embodies the very essence of real estate entrepreneurship, juggling diverse acquisitions, from residential to industrial, as well as real estate optimization projects. His leadership during his time at the helm of DEVIMO and his strategic presence on boards such as that of FORCO Groupe Immobilier attest to his influence in the sector. As President and CEO of Groupe Inspire and Chairman of the Board of OSBL District Lupel, Sébastien not only leads, he inspires an innovative approach. Beyond his entrepreneurial role, Sébastien excels as a lecturer at HEC Montréal, bringing his first-hand experience to the heart of real estate education. At the same time, his volunteer role with the Fondation le Berlingot reveals a deep commitment to his community. His expertise transcends academic and entrepreneurial boundaries. As a seasoned real estate appraiser, he led a valuation firm, reviewing reports with a critical eye and offering invaluable advice. Speaking engagements in a variety of forums attest to his status as a recognized expert, sharing his enlightened vision of real estate investment. With over 17 years’ experience, Sébastien Gariépy is not just a businessman. He is an architect of change, creating value with every project and inspiring the next generation of real estate players to think beyond convention.

Debate: What are the challenges involved in decarbonizing the agri-food sector?

As we face up to the realities and urgency of climate change, we all need to take action, including the agri-food sector. This exercise must integrate the entire sector – from production to the plate – in a dynamic of maximum circularity. The logical outcome is to apply the 3 RVEs (Reduction at Source, Reuse, Recycling and Recovery) for a low-carbon economy, with the aim of making the sector carbon neutral. This goal requires the mobilization of the public, and in particular of all players in the supply chain. It is important to remember that one of the industry’s priorities is to offer decarbonized products with the lowest carbon footprint. Signals from investors, the general public and export markets favor this trend. We are seeing a number of trends gathering pace, including the need to look at and apply a cocktail of different protein choices (animal, vegetable, proteins and alternatives), which are inescapable and intimately linked. The way things are done will have to be reviewed and rethought, in terms of financial models, business models, governance and new technological trends. Strengthening supply chains, short circuits, local purchasing, low-carbon farms, green fertilizers, new technologies and AI, are all major themes. Building bridges and seeking out best practices from around the world are key to meeting these challenges. Action must be taken both globally and locally, through rapid, concrete achievements.