CSR Press Release

MONTREAL, Sep. 15 /CSRwire/ - After a trial run in Canada earlier this year, the world's first online encyclopedia of sustainable business practices is now welcoming U.S. visitors and contributors. The website in question, "ethipedia.net", hosts a database of documented practices adopted by organizations seeking to incorporate greater social and environmental responsibility into their operations. With an initial store of over 80 case studies from around the world, this is the largest free reference of its kind.

After only a few months of existence, the tool has earned praise from key sustainability experts including Amy Domini, the pioneering ethical investing specialist in the U.S. and the U.K.'s John Elkington, renowned author and Co-Founder of SustainAbility. In Elkington's words: 'Many people talk about ethics, responsibility, accountability and sustainability. Few deliver. For those who want to act, Ethipedia showcases the best of current practice, offering key insights into where markets will take us in the coming year and decades.' More endorsements can be found at: http://ethipedia.net/endorsements

'ethipedia' has gained the support of Canada's academic and business community and hopes to do the same in the U.S. Partnerships have so far been established with Canadian Business for Social Responsibility, The Canadian Business Ethics Research Network as well as the Business Development Bank of Canada.

The project's goal is to offer a library of replicable strategies for applying sustainability principles to one's organization. By making this information accessible, this site hopes to accelerate the market shift towards sustainable operations. ethipedia is also a showcase for good strategies implemented worldwide. Business and organization reps, researchers, students and consultants are all invited to submit accounts of best sustainable practices.

To ensure a high degree of credibility, the site Administrators monitor and vet submitted practices according to a set of concrete social and environmental criteria listed online: http://ethipedia.net/criteria

ethipedia.net was launched by ethiquette Inc. (www.ethiquette.biz), creators of the green consumer portal, www.ethiquette.ca, in partnership with Fondaction, Quebec's labour-sponsored venture capital fund.

ethipedia is online at the following address and offered in English and in French: www.ethipedia.net

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