The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Ceres, a US coalition of environmental and investor groups, today called for submissions to the ninth-annual Ceres-ACCA North American Awards for Sustainability Reporting.

The purpose of the awards program is to acknowledge and publicize best practice in reporting on sustainability, environmental and social performance by corporations and organizations and to provide leadership to those companies that are publishing or intend to publish sustainability reports. The deadline for submissions is October 23, 2009. Apply online at www.ceres.org/reportingawards.

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 panel of 11 expert judges includes North American leaders representing a broad spectrum of backgrounds in the nonprofit, corporate and investment worlds.

Last year's award for Best Sustainability Report was given to General Electric, with Best Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) Report going to Seventh Generation. The judges also recognized the sustainability reports of Ball Corporation and Symantec (co-winners of the Best First Time Reporting Award), the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Commendation for Innovative Reporting) and Dell, Inc. (Commendation for Emerging Issues Reporting).

Paul Costello, Head of ACCA Canada said, "The quality of reports has improved greatly during the nine years of these awards. We are anticipating that trend to continue this year and hope to see more submissions from first time reporters."

Any Canadian, American or Mexican company, institution or organization can submit a report to the awards program. An organization not based in these countries can submit a report if it is solely focused on a site or subsidiary based in Canada, the United States, or Mexico. Companies may apply on their own behalf or be nominated by others.

"Transparent and honest disclosure that illustrates the full costs of environmental and social impacts and their integration into business strategies will level the playing field and provide investors with the information they need to reward companies on their sustainability performance," said Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres. "The Ceres-ACCA reporting awards set an example for companies to follow as sustainability reporting increases in priority for shareholders and other stakeholders."

TO APPLY
Visit http://www.ceres.org/reportingawards. The deadline for submissions is October 23, 2009.

About Ceres
Ceres is a national network of over 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. Ceres also directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR) with over 70 investor members with over $7 trillion in assets under management.

About ACCA
ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the world’s largest international accountancy body with 325,000 students and 122,000 members in 170 countries. ACCA has promoted transparency in reporting the impact of business activities on sustainable development since 1991. ACCA is involved in reporting awards in more than 20 countries across the world and participates in a number of influential organizations, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). In recognition of their UK social and environmental issues program, ACCA has been awarded a Queen's Award for Sustainable Development.

About CorporateRegister
CorporateRegister.com is the Communications Supporter of the Ceres-ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards program. CorporateRegister.com is the global corporate responsibility (CR) resources website. It hosts the world’s most comprehensive directory of CR and sustainability reports, profiling nearly 23,000 reports worldwide from over 5,000 companies. With an archive stretching back to 1990 it is indispensable for anyone working in the field of CR and sustainability reporting.
www.corporateregister.com

Ceres

Ceres

Our Mission: Ceres is transforming the economy to build a just and sustainable future for people and the planet. 

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies, and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews. 

More from Ceres