Sustainable development

In part, social responsibility means being guided by the views of our customers and members, who are numerous and represent a diverse cross-section of society. Their views are expressed through our regular ethical policy consultations across our bank, insurance and investments businesses.

We are also influenced by our traditional co-operative values such as self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In a wider sense, our approach also reflects our support for international laws and treaties such as the International Labour Organisation's Fundamental Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Sustainability reporting

We recognise we have a duty to operate in a socially and ecologically responsible manner. Every year we produce a report that provides an open and honest account of our co-operative, social and ecological performance.

We seek to run our business in a way that satisfies the needs of our Partners - our customers, members, staff, suppliers, local communities and The Co-operative Movement - whilst always taking into account our impact on wider society and the environment.

Our latest sustainability performance is reported in The Co-operative Group Sustainability Report against a series of indicators that includes everything from socially responsible investment and financial inclusion to our impact on climate change.

This provides Partners with a detailed picture from which they can judge our performance and provides us with a useful tool to drive sustainability through the business.

• Read our latest report (PDF - 3MB)
• Our sustainable development policy