ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines how acting on climate change became a priority for Vancity, provides an overview of its strategy and related programmes, and offers an analysis of some of the key success factors that have led to Vancity's contribution to climate change action. As a cooperative, Vancity is guided by a commitment to corporate social responsibility and is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the communities where its members live and work. Vancity's commitment to environmental action began as a broad attempt to protect the environment though a multifaceted approach including support for environmental education, conservation and restoration. Vancity's work to reduce its own impact is focused through its Carbon Neutral Program. At the end of 2007, Vancity became the first North American-based financial institution to be carbon neutral. Vancity's success at differentiating itself in the marketplace through its climate change strategy and its focus on the triple bottom line is evident in its rapid growth.
