The CERES Principles

Many companies, including some major corporations, have joined the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES) and adopted their CERES Principles. Originally known as the Valdez Principles, the CERES Principles were developed in 1989 after the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

The coalition promotes the CERES Principles, a model corporate code of environmental conduct. Environmental groups and institution investors controlling $150 billion in assets designed the principles.

Companies endorsing the CERES Principles pledge to monitor and improve their behavior to regarding:
* the biosphere
* the sustainable use of natural resources
* the reduction and disposal of wastes
* energy conservation
* risk reduction
* safe products and services
* environmental restoration
* informing the public
* management commitment
* audits and reports.

Endorsers agree to decrease their waste, use resources efficiently, market safe products, and take responsibility for their past harms. They also call for an environmental expert on each corporate board and an annual, public audit of a company’s environmental progress.

These groups asked companies to subscribe to the principles, implicitly suggesting that eventually investments could be contingent on compliance. Several companies have signed the CERES Principles.

Read more: Career, Life

Adapted from The Smart Office, by A.K.Townsend.Copyright (c) 1997 by A.K.Townsend .Reprinted by permission of Chelsea Green Publishing Company.
Adapted from The Smart Office, by A.K.Townsend.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Robert O.

12:25AM PDT on Mar 25, 2011

Thanks.

send a green star

Judith V.

7:50AM PST on Feb 28, 2011

Back in the early '80's, I literally had my 'head in the trash', looking for recyclable items. I got yelled at , but turned 'deaf ears' towards them...There is an old saying: 'Money in MY pocket is just as good as it is in yours'!
People need to 'get over themselves' here. This planet is NOT flat! It comes back on itself with pollution!

Bon L.

9:30PM PST on Dec 6, 2010

Thanks for the info.

KS G.

4:56AM PST on Nov 29, 2010

Thanks for the article.

Julie F.

7:04AM PDT on Aug 1, 2010

Mrs M.

4:41AM PDT on Apr 25, 2010

Noted, thank you.

Ron b.