In 2008 The Co-operators officially embedded sustainability in our organization's Vision and Values.  Over the last few years, sustainability leadership has become a significant component in many company’s business models. Today, references to sustainability can be found in organization's mission, values and strategies. Sustainability practices can also be found in different areas of a company’s structure including its governance and management systems, products and services, investing and purchasing, and branding and communications, among others.

Due to the increasingly dynamic nature of sustainability, it is of high importance for The Co-operators to stay informed as to best practices of leading organizations.  For this reason, The Co-operators commissioned Strandberg Consulting to conduct an “International Scan of Sustainability Practices of Insurance and Non-Insurance Companies”. This report highlights the most common practices and trends in sustainability adopted by 17 companies; 13 being insurance/financial companies and 3 being non-insurance companies.   This work updates the study entitled The Future of Sustainable Insurance: A Thought Leaders Study commissioned in 2007. 

The research which covers 20 different topics, was compiled from public information and studies the different sustainability approaches taken by these companies in their social, environmental and ethical considerations.

The Co-operators has made the results of the study available in the interest of sharing information that may further other organizations' sustainability initiatives.