Finalists Chosen for Ceres-ACCA North American Sustainability Reporting Awards

(3BLMedia/TheCSRfeed) January 25, 2011 BOSTON – Ceres and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) today announced the shortlist of candidate reports for the Ceres-ACCA North American Sustainability Reporting Awards. Of the 98 sustainability reports received, 17 were selected for further consideration by the judges’ panel that meets next month. The final winners will be announced at the Ceres Annual Conference on May 11-12^th in Oakland, CA.

Now in its tenth year, the awards program is designed to highlight best practices in reporting on sustainability issues by North American organizations, and to provide guidance to other groups and companies that are publishing or intend to publish sustainability or corporate social responsibility reports.    “Since launching the Ceres-ACCA North American Reporting Awards ten years ago, we’ve seen a substantial increase in both the quantity and quality of corporate sustainability reports in the U.S., Canada – and more recently, Mexico,” said Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres, “Not only is sustainability disclosure improving, but companies are now beginning to integrate that information into their financial reporting – a crucial step for companies, investors and other stakeholders to better understand how environmental and social performance affects a company’s bottom-line.”   The awards are not intended to endorse or reward corporate sustainability performance, but rather to acknowledge exemplary disclosure that places performance in the broader context of sustainability challenges, risks and opportunities. The judging criteria address completeness, credibility and quality of communication. The independent judging panel includes North American leaders and experts representing a broad spectrum of backgrounds.   "Our aim is to promote ground breaking sustainability reporting practices by leading organizations," said Paul Costello, Head of ACCA Canada and USA. "This year's finalists are all fine examples for other companies to emulate as they demonstrate leadership in the public disclosure of important non-financial information."

 Short-Listed Reports

• American Electric Power

• Anvil Knitwear

• Baxter

• Cemex

• Covanta Energy

• Duke Energy

• Ford Motor Company

• GE

• HP

• Intel

• Mexichem

• Nike

• SAP

• Seventh Generation

• Suncor

• UPS

• Vancity

For more information about the awards program visit www.ceres.org or www.accaglobal.com/sustainability.   For further information, please contact: Kristen Lang Ceres
lang@ceres.org, 617-247-0700 x128   About Ceres
Ceres is a national network of more than 130 investment funds, environmental organizations, labor unions and other public interest groups working to increase corporate responsibility. Formed in 1989, Ceres created the Ceres Principles, a pioneering 10-point code of corporate environmental conduct that led to widespread adoption of environmental principles by corporations worldwide. In 1997, Ceres launched the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), which has become the internationally established standard for corporate reporting on the “triple bottom line” of economic, social and environmental performance. GRI is now an independent institution, with over 1500 companies using the guidelines.  In early 2010, Ceres released The 21^st Century Corporation: The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability, a tool for companies and investors looking to transition to a more sustainable economy. Ceres also directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR) with more than 90 investor members with nearly $10 trillion in assets under management.   About ACCA
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants. We offer business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.   We support our over 131,500 members and 362,000 students throughout their careers, providing services through a network of 80 offices and centres. Our global infrastructure means that exams and support are delivered – and reputation and influence developed – at a local level, directly benefiting stakeholders wherever they are based, or plan to move to, in pursuit of new career opportunities.   In addition, ACCA participates in a number of influential organizations, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). In recognition of ACCA UK’s social and environmental issues program, ACCA has been awarded a Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development.   CERE11430