ABSTRACT
Formed in 1989, the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES) is a coalition of environmental groups, socially responsible investors and companies. Companies endorse the CERES principles and thereby formalize their dedication to environmental awareness and accountability. The principles address the following ten areas: protection of the biosphere; sustainable use of natural resources; reduction and disposal of wastes; energy conservation; risk reduction; safe products and services; environmental restoration; informing the public; management commitment; and audits and reports. In the early years, (1989-1992), CERES principles were mainly adopted by ‘green’ companies, such as The Body Shop, Ben and Jerry’s, Seventh Generation and Aveda Corporation. But in 1993, following lengthy negotiations, Sun Oil became the first Fortune 500 company to endorse the CERES principles. Today, 46 companies have endorsed the CERES principles, including General Motors, Polaroid and Bethlehem Steel (www.ceres.org, 1999).
