GUELPH, ON, April 28 /CNW/ - For the second year in a row several members of The Co-operators group of companies were honoured among Canada's "Green 30" employers. The current edition of Maclean's, released today, includes The Green 30 - a list of Canada's top employers that are highly regarded for their commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability. Specifically included were:

• The Co-operators, based in Guelph, Ontario, which includes co-operative holding company The Co-operators Group Ltd. as well as subsidiaries 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 Aon Hewitt 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" credentials. The 30 companies that made the list were those judged to excel at:

• 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 continues to transform its operations through its "sustainability journey." This has included reviewing operations in all of its member 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 and other waste 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 reduced its carbon footprint by more than 10 per cent compared to the baseline year of 2007.

"We've made some great strides, but continue to work hard to be a more sustainable organization and a catalyst for a sustainable society," said Kathy Bardswick, President and CEO of The Co-operators. "It is working together, from our board of directors to our staff members across the country, that we make a positive contribution to a better, healthier, and more sustainable tomorrow."

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 Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $42 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 creating a more sustainable tomorrow. In 2010, The Co-operators was ranked #2 among the 50 Best Corporate Citizens in Canada and listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.