Bulletin: The Co-operators Takes Another Step Toward Sustainability

A leading environmental group has added The Co-operators to its network of corporate and public interest leaders working toward sustainability. The Guelph, Ontario-based company has become the first insurer to join Ceres, a national network of investors and environmental groups.

“The insurance sector, the largest industry in the world, has been hit
hard by climate change impacts, and is a critical part of the climate change
solution,” said Mindy Lubber, Ceres’ president, in a statement accompanying the announcement. “We look forward to working closely with The Co-operators as the organization continues to develop new solutions that will help mitigate the harmful effects of climate change.”

The Co-operators work with Ceres will add to its current efforts—the company already has a formal climate change strategy, issues annual sustainability reports, adopted Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines, and created a Sustainability Committee within its board of directors, as well as a steering committee among its national senior leaders.

“We’re working to integrate sustainability into every aspect of our operations, and climate change is a big part of that,” said Kathy Bardswick, The Co-operators’ president and CEO, in a September 1 statement. She noted that the company is also making its buildings more energy efficient and switching to more fuel-efficient vehicles.

This story was originally published by Canadian Insurance Top Broker.