GUELPH, ON, Oct. 8, 2014 /CNW/ - The Co-operators has been ranked #1 in the world for sustainability among co-operative insurance companies in a new ranking by Corporate Knights. Among financial services co-operatives, it was listed at #3. The ranking was announced at the 2014 International Summit of Cooperatives in Quebec City.

Corporate Knights, a Canadian organization dedicated to the promotion of "clean capitalism" worldwide, evaluated the sustainable business practices of the largest 139 financial services co-operatives around the globe. The organizations were identified in the World Co-operative Monitor, a list of the 300 biggest co-ops in the world, created by the International Co-operative Alliance.

"Sustainability principles align naturally with co-operative values, which emphasize concern for community and long-term value creation over short-term profit maximization," said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators. "It is a great honour to be ranked highly on this list, knowing there are so many co-ops around the world doing a remarkable job of balancing economic, social and environmental priorities. The progress we've made as an organization is due to the commitment of our staff and advisors, who have integrated our co-operative identity and commitment to sustainability into their daily activities."

Guided by its sustainability strategy, The Co-operators strives to align its business operations, products and services, and stakeholder relations with fundamental sustainability principles in a way that advances its long-term financial objectives.

The Co-operators reports on its sustainability performance annually. For more information, please see the 2013 Sustainability Report, entitled Stepping Up, in the Sustainability section of www.cooperators.ca.

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $36 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt; Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada; and the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean's magazine. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.

SOURCE The Co-operators