Canada's The Co-operators becomes first insurer to join Ceres

Citing the company's five-year track record on sustainability reporting and commitments to addressing climate change, the Ceres board of directors have approved insurer, The Co-operators, as the newest member of Ceres' corporate network.

Founded in 1989, Ceres is a leading network of investors, environmental groups and other public interest organisations working with companies to address sustainability challenges. Ceres also directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk comprising over 80 institutional investors who collectively manage more than $7 trillion in assets.

The Co-operators is the first insurance company among more than 80 member companies that comprise the Ceres network. A leading coalition of investors, environmental groups and public interest organisations, Ceres works with companies to address a variety of sustainability challenges, including global climate change.

Based in Guelph, Ontario, The Co-operators is a group of Canadian companies offering home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators Group Limited is a 100 per cent Canadian-owned co-operative with assets of more than $7 billion. It is owned by a group of Canadian co-operatives, credit union centrals and like-minded organisations.

The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement, and is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada.

''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 Ceres president Mindy Lubber. ''We look forward to working closely with The Co-operators as the organisation continues to develop new solutions that will help mitigate the harmful effects of climate change.''