GUELPH, ON, April 22 /CNW/ - Today two national magazines released Earth
Day editions that include The Green 30 - a list of Canada's top employers
that are highly regarded for their commitment to environmental, social and
economic sustainability. Several members of The Co-operators group of
companies were represented within two listings on The Green 30; specifically:

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- The Co-operators, based in Guelph, Ontario, which includes
co-operative holding company The Co-operators Group Ltd. as well as
subsidiaries The Co-operators General Insurance Company, HB Group
Insurance Management Ltd. of Mississauga, and Addenda Capital of
Montreal; and
- Co-operators Life Insurance Company of Regina, Saskatchewan.
>>

International human resources firm Hewitt Associates introduced The Green
30 list in 2009, using results of confidential surveys completed by
employees. The surveys gauge staff members' assessments of their employers'
"green" credential. The 30 companies who made the list published in today's
Maclean's and Canadian Business magazine were those judged to excel at:

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- considering long-term social, environmental and economic impacts when
it makes decisions;
- working to minimize the impact of its operations, products and
services on the environment; and
- adopting and disclosing practices that are environmentally
responsible.
>>

The Co-operators has been transforming its operations over the past few
years through its "sustainability journey." This has included reviewing
operations in all of its subsidiary companies to improve the environmental,
economic and social impacts it has in Canadian communities.
Insurance products and services with sustainability attributes have been
created, including hybrid vehicle discounts and environmentally responsible
home policy endorsements. Paper usage has been reduced, and corporate office
buildings are being retrofitted to improve energy efficiency. The fleet of
400 company vehicles has been overhauled to introduce more fuel-efficient
models, including hybrid vehicles, and efforts are being made to reduce
travel. Overall, The Co-operators has achieved a 12 per cent reduction in its
measured greenhouse gas emissions compared to the baseline year of 2007.
"Our staff members recognize that sustainability is at the heart of how
we operate, as a good corporate citizen and as an insurance company that sees
first-hand the devastating effects of climate change," said Kathy Bardswick,
president and CEO of The Co-operators. "From our board of directors to staff
members in offices across the country, people are making efforts every day to
lessen the impact we have on our environment, and to contribute to more
healthy, prosperous and green Canadian communities."
The Green 30 list is based on confidential information collected from
employees, business leaders and human resources professionals. For more
information on The Co-operators sustainability efforts, please visit the
Sustainability section of www.cooperators.ca.

About The Co-operators:

The Co-operators Group Limited is a 100 per cent Canadian-owned
co-operative with more than $36.9 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 owned by 47 Canadian co-operatives, credit union centrals and
like-minded organizations. It is well known for its community involvement,
and is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada.