An academic study shows that the Cooperative Green Pact, which has been established by co-ops in the Americas, is not only good for the environment, but also for enterprise.
According to the study, 74 per cent of the co-operatives that adhered to the Cooperative Green Pact estimate that complying with the Pact’s terms has proved to be an advantage for the co-op. Furthermore, 78 per cent of the co-ops asked said they have managed to fulfil the terms of the agreement.
The study also shows that 55 per cent of the co-ops questioned have affirmed they signed the Pact because they believed it to be a good entrepreneurial practice, while 23 per cent did so because it was endorsed by ICA Americas. The Pact was agreed by the sector at the Cooperative Summit of the Americas Region in 2009.
Julián Figueroa, the author of the study, said the Pact has “opened a gate" with the movement over environmental concerns. According to the study, in 86 per cent of the cases, co-ops have used the Pact’s guidelines in developing new educational projects.
Mr Figueroa, who was studying an MA in Environmental Management at Javeriana University in Bogotá, said the International Year of Co-operatives also helped co-op leaders change their view regarding the Cooperative Green Pact after they had had the chance to attend various conferences and find out more about environmental projects.
Manuel Mariño, Regional Director of ICA Americas, said: “The Green Pact is a coherent manifestation of the times we live in. We can see a continually growing interest in environmental issues among co-operators and co-operatives.
"By adhering to the Pact, cooperatives assume a set of minimum commitments to take actions and lead projects for environmental conservation, and develop public awareness campaigns on a regular basis. The Pact is good for the environment, for communities and for co-operative enterprises. Co-operatives send ACI Americas regular updates regarding their progress and environmental accomplishments. ACI-Americas also helps spreading their message and give them ideas to help them throughout this processes.
Mr Mariño added that the environmental dimension is included in the seventh co-operative principle over social aims and concern for community. He also said there are different degrees of involvement.
"Obviously, co-operatives engaged in traditional and electronic waste recycling as well as those operating in sectors like forestry, consumer and utilities such as water and energy, have a more specialised involvement, than, for example, dairy co-operatives or credit unions. But all co-operatives contribute to some extent to the emission of CO2 in their administrative operation," he explained.
Mr Figueroa also said that there are many environmental initiatives in co-ops across Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico or Brazil. He said that even though environmental projects need a lot of time and financial efforts, by perservering co-ops can improve their products and also win in term of image.
Mr Figueroa added that the initiative could also serve as an example. He said that there are various others initiatives in Europe or the United States. Mr Mariño also mentioned that Cooperatives Europe, the European branch of the ICA, is making efforts in terms of renewable energy and sustainability.
Added Mr Mariño: “In fact, on some occasions, we have counted on people from Europe to assist with academic activities that ICA Americas has organised and we would like to extend our collaboration with internships and exchange programmes."
The Regional Director of ICA Americas concluded by saying that “co-ops position themselves as examples of sustainable enterprises”.
