Co-operators, a Canadian financial services cooperative, has made sustainability the cornerstone of its business strategy. Founded nearly 80 years ago by farmers seeking financial solutions, the organisation’s evolution reflects its commitment to meeting the needs of individuals, businesses, and communities while driving sustainable outcomes.
A journey towards resilience and sustainability
Co-operators’s sustainability journey began formally in 2005, influenced by The Natural Step, a Swedish organisation advocating a science-based framework for integrating sustainability into business. Since then, Co-operators has embedded sustainability across its operations, transitioning from “getting its house in order” to positioning sustainability as its overarching organisational strategy. This progression includes embedding sustainability in governance structures, with a dedicated sustainability committee ensuring alignment across all facets of the organisation.
Climate resilience: a central focus
As part of its purpose—ensuring financial security for Canadians and their communities—Co-operators has prioritised climate resilience. Recognising climate change as a direct threat to financial security, it has integrated climate adaptation into its long-term goals and investments. The organisation’s investment portfolio reflects this priority, with 25% of assets currently allocated to impact investments. By 2030, it aims to raise this figure to 60%, supporting climate solutions, resilience, and transition efforts.
Governance and integration
Sustainability is embedded in Co-operators’s governance, with its board actively driving the agenda. The organisation aligns its metrics and targets with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, measuring progress through external ratings such as Corporate Knights. This commitment ensures that sustainability is not a peripheral initiative but integral to business operations.
Innovative solutions for a sustainable future
Co-operators has pioneered several market-leading initiatives. It was the first insurer in Canada to offer comprehensive flood insurance nationwide, addressing a critical gap in coverage. More recently, its Tomorrow Strong programme helps clients rebuild properties with resilient features after disasters. These initiatives exemplify the cooperative’s ability to translate sustainability into tangible benefits for its members.
A collaborative approach
Acknowledging that sustainability challenges require collective action, Co-operators leverages its cooperative heritage to foster collaboration. Partnerships, such as its involvement in the Climate and Equity Lab, demonstrate its commitment to driving systemic change beyond its organisational boundaries.
Sustainability as strategy
For Co-operators, sustainability is more than a corporate responsibility; it is a business imperative. By aligning its purpose, strategy, and operations with sustainable practices, the organisation ensures its resilience while inspiring others to join the journey toward a sustainable future. Through this approach, Co-operators is transforming itself into a catalyst for a resilient and sustainable society, fulfilling its vision of creating lasting impact for the communities it serves.
