GoodCompany – A Quarterly CSR Newsletter (June 2008)

President’s Message
Sometimes it takes a bold move to achieve a significant result. This was beautifully illustrated during my recent visit to the United Kingdom where I attended HRH, The Prince of Wales’ second annual May Day Business Summit on Climate Change. Building on a highly successful 2007 event, the strong ‘May Day’ crisis call made by HRH to UK business leaders was heard and the response was immediate and impressive. An energetic and inspired group of 1,327 senior business leaders made 7,468 pledges to reduce their carbon footprint. The numbers speak for themselves:
* 56% of companies present were already calculating their carbon footprint, and 29% pledged to do so in the next year (total 85%).
* 35% are setting absolute carbon reduction targets and 26% pledged to do so in the next year (total 61%).
I am thrilled to announce that we will build on this enthusiasm and bring Canada into the HRH The Prince of Wales’ leadership circle in 2009. We have plans underway already to host a Canadian satellite event connected to the London group next May, and will keep you informed as we move towards the date. If you are interested in becoming a part of this early on, please do not hesitate to give me a call. We will look to our members and partners to make this a successful and equally impressive event.
Awareness of the challenge of climate change is at an all time high but there are still significant gaps in knowledge and room for improved education. While no one sector can make change happen on its own, we know that business – by engaging its supply chain, employees and customers – can rally its resources and mobilize efforts in a highly efficient and effective manner.
In 2007 CBSR launched the Climate Change Guide as a tool for responsible business action on climate change. If you have yet to tap into this resource, I encourage you to visit cbsr.ca to view a copy. If you are seeking guidance and counsel, join our members who are engaging our Advisory Services group to measure your company’s carbon footprint, determine the right reduction strategy and access reputable offsets.
As the world comes to grips with the climate crisis, attention will be focused on countries with strong environmental records for examples of leadership on the issue. Living up to Canada’s reputation in the world will require bold commitments and actions – the kind that legacies are built on.
Adine Mees
President and CEO
CBSR News
Ray Anderson of Interface to Speak at CBSR Expert Event
Chairman of Interface Inc., Ray Anderson is one of the most admired, innovative, responsible and forward thinking leaders in sustainable business. In 2006 Globescan recognized Interface as the #1 company in the world for corporate sustainability. Mr. Anderson will address CBSR members at a breakfast event on June 12 in Toronto, discussing his journey with the group.
6th Annual CBSR Summit
Linking Stakeholders to the Bottom Line, October 20, 2008 – Toronto, Canada
Book this date in your agenda. The 6th Annual Summit on Corporate Social Responsibility is confirmed for October 20, 2008 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto, Canada.
Last year’s Summit was a big success, requiring us to cap attendance three weeks in advance. We expect the 2008 Summit will continue the trend, attracting 200 senior executives and CSR practitioners from organizations across North America.
The focus will be on the business imperative of engaging with key stakeholder groups to ensure strong strategy and continual improvement. You will gain new insight into the relationships/challenges/opportunities that companies can realize when working with stakeholders.
In addition to hosting morning and afternoon keynote presentations and a CEO panel discussion, we will continue last year’s Summit tradition of hosting two open space sessions where attendees will have an opportunity to join sessions and discuss issues that are focused on key stakeholder groups including: customers, employees, communities, shareholders, supply chain and the environment.
CBSR will also be hosting two optional, half-day workshops on October 21, to present effective tools, practices and case studies associated with CSR/non-financial reporting and stakeholder mapping/engagement.
Many thanks go to the current Summit sponsors:
Syncrude Canada, Nexen Inc, Honda Canada and Hunter Dickinson.
For more information on Summit speaking and sponsorship opportunities please contact Wesley Gee at wesley@cbsr.ca. Online registration will be available by late June and early bird rates will be available until the end of August. Stay abreast of the Summit program and register online soon by visiting www.cbsr.ca.
CBSR Participates in Canada-Russia CSR Roundtables
In September,CBSR was honoured to be invited by Canada’s Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) to participate in a Canada-Russia Roundtable on CSR and Public-Private Partnership (PPP), held in Moscow on May 12-13, 2008. The gathering provided an opportunity for Canadian and Russian organizations and companies to discuss CSR and PPPs as two of many ways to support the development of Aboriginal and Northern Peoples. Read more.
Advisory Services at CBSR
Did you know that Canadian Business for Social Responsibility offers customized consulting services on a range of CSR activities? We work with our clients to develop policies, programs and performance metrics that strengthen the effectiveness and impact of their CSR initiatives. We leverage our deep subject matter expertise, and the collective learning of our members and international partners, to provide candid counsel to help companies move forward. Read more.

CBSR is Growing!
CBSR has welcomed five new staff members over the past two months–and is looking for new staff to support its increasing membership base. Welcome to Vidya Rangayyan, CSR Advisor focused on climate change, Robyn Hall, Communications Manager, Aaron Steeghs, CSR Advisor focused on natural resources, Andrea Damiani, Administrative Assistant and Jim Cooney, Senior Associate focused on natural resources. We are currently looking to fill the following positions: CSR Advisor (Toronto), and Directors of Advisory Services and Member Services (Toronto or Vancouver). Please find the job postings here and pass them on to those who may be interested.
Join the Leading Edge Debate
CBSR is on the leading edge of the CSR debate, actively working with firms on the issues they are facing, sharing knowledge and best practices. If you know of any companies who are working in this area and would benefit from our services, please ask them to contact us. With continued growth in membership, Canadian corporations can become global leaders in responsible business practices.
CBSR In the News
Shopping on Trial
On March 20, 2008, Lorraine Smith, Senior CSR Advisor at CBSR, participated in a broadcast on CBC Radio’s The Current that put shopping on trial, including a look at supply chain issues.

Business People Get a Closer Look at Poverty, Homelessness
On May 14, 2008, the Victoria Times Colonist reported on a speech by Lloyd Craig, President and CEO of Coast Capital Savings, to the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Craig spoke about CBSR’s Seeing is Believing Program and its positive impact in the community. The program allows business executives to experience social challenges first-hand and leverage their businesses to create solutions. Full story.
Member News
Scotiabank Launches Climate Change Fund
In February, Scotia Securities Inc. launched the Scotia Global Climate Change Fund, a first of its kind in Canada. “The Scotia Global Climate Change Fund is designed for investors looking for exposure to companies that are developing strategies to adapt to or mitigate the effects of climate change without compromising solid returns, ” said Glen Gowland, Managing Director and Head, Scotia Mutual Funds and President & CEO SSI. Read more.
GlobeScan’s 2008 Canadian Corporate Social Responsiblity Monitor Now Available
GlobeScan is pleased to announce that the 2008 Canadian Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Monitor is now available. The Canadian CSR Monitor has been tracking the changing expectations of consumers, shareholders, employees, and informal Opinion Leaders annually since 1999, and is available to clients on a subscription basis. The 2008 report includes, among others, a review of Canadian CSR leading and lagging companies, public definitions of CSR, interest in socially responsible investing, the impact of various CSR initiatives and partnerships on corporate reputation, and an in-depth look at CSR communications – including public awareness of corporate CSR efforts and perceived credibility, interest in learning more about CSR, and channels of information for learning about socially responsible and irresponsible companies. For more information, please contact Femke de Man, Director CSR Research at femke.deman@globescan.com.
DDB and Junxion Strategy Launch New Strategic Sustainability Consultancy
DDB Canada has formed a business alliance with Junxion Strategy creating a new sustainability consultancy called DDB Echology. Headquartered within DDB Canada’s Vancouver office, DDB Echology is being jointly run by Managing Director Steve Kennedy and Peter ter Weeme from Junxion Strategy. “The impetus behind the launch of the consultancy came from our view that having invested considerably in becoming an integrated sustainable organization at DDB, we could share that learning with others,” said Steve Kennedy, Managing Director. “The nature of the alliance between DDB and Junxion Strategy in the creation of DDB Echology, puts us in the unique position of offering clients an end to end service starting with Junxion’s expertise in sustainability consulting and followed by DDB’s leadership in brand stewardship and creativity.”
He notes: “More and more consumers are showing they have a genuine interest in supporting companies that have environmental and social values and performance standards. While some organizations doing good are embracing this and communicating it, others seem to be reluctant to talk about what they are doing good, for fear of being targeted for scrutiny by consumer advocate groups. Our position is that no person or organization is going to be perfectly sustainable (yet), and if your heart is in the right place and your organization has made a holistic commitment to move down the sustainable path, your efforts should be promoted, because consumers want to know.” For more information visit ddbechology.com.
Alterna Savings Wins Consumers’ Choice Awards
Alterna Savings is pleased to announce the receipt of two CONSUMERS’ CHOICE AWARDS for excellence in the areas of Financial Planning (chosen by Greater Toronto Area consumers as the 2008 winner) and Loan Company (chosen by Ottawa area consumers as the 2008 winner). “Alterna Savings’ mission is to develop and share an exceptional level of financial expertise that is; tailored to member needs, accessible to all, supportive of local communities and delivered by caring and professional employees. These awards represent independent support for our view that Alterna employees are second to none when it comes to providing outstanding service to our member-owners and the communities we serve,” said John Lahey, President & CEO of Alterna Savings.
Co-operators Embeds Sustainability Throughout Operation
With a goal to become a catalyst for sustainability in the insurance industry and the co-operative sector, The Co-operators Group has launched a journey to embed sustainability into every business process and department of its 11 companies. The organization has established a Sustainability Steering Committee (comprised of representatives from each organization); embedded sustainability in the corporate mission, vision and values statements; and adopted a sustainability strategy and policy. The strategy relates to climate change, implementation of sustainable practices in all operations, development of sustainable products and services, and engagement of strategic stakeholders in the process.
In mid-April, the organization released “Designing for Sustainability: The Co-operators Sustainability Report 2007” (formerly the Corporate Responsibility Report) and the 2007 Community Economic Development Report. The Co-operators also has undertaken a Greenhouse Gas Emissions study; and in 2007 joined 160 other members in a global voluntary partnership with UNEP-Financial Initiative between the United Nations and the international financial sector. For the fifth consecutive year, The Co-operators earned a spot on the Report on Business list of 50 Best Employers in Canada. In 2007, The Co-operators directed total donations of $4.2 million toward community economic development, charities and community organizations, co-operative development and other community related support.
Trends & Issues
Readers agree: sustainability reporting enhances brand reputation – new proof from GRI survey
Ninety percent of sustainability report readers agreed that their views of a company had been influenced by reading its report – of these, 85% reported a more positive perception of the company, according to a new report. Read more.
Eco-promising: Communicating the environmental credentials of your products and services
This BSR report outlines the history of eco-labelling and where to go next in terms of communicating with your customers. Read more.
CERES-ACCA Reporting Awards Announced
CERES and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants announced the winners of the 2007 Sustainability Reporting Awards at the end of April. For details on the winners and to read the judges report, click here.
Executive Briefing on Climate Change and Related Disclosures
The Chartered Accountants of Canada has produced an executive document discussing the business implications of climate change and the ways climate change matters will be reflected in financial statements and other disclosures. For details, click here.
[Source: Canadian Business for Social Responsibility]