CERES?

The Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies is a non-profit organisation in the U.S.A. comprised of investors and environmental, religious and public interest groups.

Through this partnership, the CERES coalition promotes investment policies that are environmentally, socially and financially sound. Currently members of CERES coalition together represent the interests of more than 10 million people. The Coalition members manage over US$ 150 billion in invested assets.

CERES has developed the set of ten principles comprising a comprehensive code of conduct for corporations. Over 70 companies have endorsed the CERES Principles, including General Motors, the world's largest manufacturing corporation, Polaroid, The Body Shop International, Sun Company, the 12th largest oil producer in the US, and Bank of America.

Companies subscribe voluntarily to the CERES Principles. The Principles commit their signatories to ecologically sound operations and standardised, public environmental reporting.

Introduction

Adopting these principles, companies publicly affirm belief that corporations and their shareholders have a direct responsibility for the environment and that corporations must conduct their business as responsible stewards of the environment and seek profits only in a manner that leaves the Earth healthy and safe. It is recognised that this is a long-term commitment to update practices continually in light of advances in technology and new understandings in health and environmental science. Implementation of the principles occurs wherever the organisation operates throughout the world.

Protection of the Biosphere

Minimise and strive to eliminate the release of any pollutant that may cause environmental damage to air, water, or earth or its inhabitants.

Sustainable Use of Natural Resources

Make sustainable use of renewable natural resources, such as water, soils and forest. Conserve non-renewable natural resources through efficient use and careful planning. Protect wildlife habitats, open spaces and wilderness, while preserving biodiversity.

Reduction and Disposal of Waste

Minimise the creation of waste, recycle materials and dispose of all wastes through safe and responsible methods.

Wise Use of Energy

Make every effort to use environmentally safe and sustainable energy, invest in improved energy efficiency and conservation in operations. Maximise the energy efficiency of products.

Risk Reduction

Minimise the environmental health and safety risks to employees and the communities in which organisation operates employing safe technologies and operating procedures and by being constantly prepared for emergencies.

Marketing Safe Products and Services

Sell products or services that minimise adverse environmental impacts and that are safe as consumers commonly use them. Inform consumers of the environmental impacts of products or services.

Damage Compensation

Take responsibility for any harm caused to the environment by making every effort to fully restore the environment and to compensate those persons who are adversely affected.

Disclosure

Disclose to employees and to the public incidents relating to operations that cause environmental harm or pose health or safety hazards. Disclose potential environmental, health or safety hazards posed by operations, and not take action against employees who report conditions that create a danger to the environment or pose health or safety hazards.

Environmental Directors and Managers

Improve management resources to implement the CERES Principles. Monitoring and reporting implementation efforts, sustain a process to ensure that the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer are kept informed of and are fully responsible for all environmental matters. Establish a Committee of the Board of Directors with responsibility for environmental affairs. At least one member of the Board of Directors will be a person qualified to represent environmental interests to come before the company.

Assessment and Audit

Conduct and make public an annual self-evaluation of progress in implementing the Principles and in complying with applicable laws and regulations throughout worldwide operations. Work towards the timely creation of independent environmental audit procedures that will be completed annually and make available to the public.

Please select the response that matches your company's views:

1. Strongly agree 2. Agree 3. Neutral 4. Disagree 5. Strongly disagree

1. "Any truly successful, large-scale response to industrial degradation of the environment must be collaborative rather than coercive."
2. The public responds with greater trust for a company's environmental commitment if that company works together with other stakeholders.
3. "The diverse perspectives and unique contributions of a variety of stakeholders" included in the CERES Principles will have a positive impact on corporate policy and operations.
4. A Company's environmental performance can have serious implications for a firm's long-term financial liability and viability. All stakeholders benefit from knowing this information.
5. The standardised CERES environmental reporting process serves as an effective internal management tool since it enables companies to measure and monitor their environmental performance.
6. "Business leaders, environmentalists and investors working together bring a much greater sum of understanding, insight and accountability to the complex issues of visionary environmental management."