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ethically guided

An independent consumer survey in 2007 found that the Co-operative is the most ethical brand in Britain.

Community involvement is at the heart of our activities and our heritage. According to The Giving List 2006, if we were a plc, our donations to charity and the community would make us the fifth most generous ‘giver’ in the FTSE 100. In 2007, we were ranked in the lead category in three Business in the Community indices: Corporate Responsibility, Environment and Community. The indices give companies the means to manage, measure and report on their impact on society and the environment.

Our ethical policy includes:

Human Rights - we support the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We will not invest in:

any government or business which fails to uphold basic human rights within its sphere of influence
any business whose links to an oppressive regime are a continuing cause for concern.

The Arms Trade - we will not invest in any business involved in:

the manufacture or transfer of armaments to oppressive regimes.
the manufacture of torture equipment or other equipment used in the violation of human rights.
Global Trade - we support the Fundamental International Labour Organisation

Conventions, supporting businesses which take a responsible position with regard to:

fair trade
labour rights in their own operations and through their supply chains in developing countries

Social Enterprise - we support charities, and the broad range of organisations, which make up the Social Enterprise sector, including:

co-operatives
credit unions
community finance initiatives

In the past 15 years the Co-operative Bank has declined loan applications of more than £700m from businesses whose activities were in conflict with our ethical stance.

We publish our Ethical Policy in: The Co-operative Group Sustainability Report