Third straight assurance assignment for ethical leader

Two Tomorrows has provided independent assurance of The Co-operative Group’s sustainability report for the third year in succession.

We assured its report, published on 21 September and covering 2008/09, against the 2008 version of the AA1000 Assurance Standard (AA1000AS 2008). This is more demanding than the previous verison of the standard, and enables a more rigorous, consistent and high-quality approach to assurance. We provided Type 2 assurance as defined under AA1000AS 2008.

In particular, we provided high-level assurance of the ethical finance section of the report. This included examples of decisions made by Co-operative Financial Services to accept or decline new business as a result of ethical screening as well as data on how much income it turned away.

We found that the report, which is consistent with a Global Reporting Initiative G3 application level of A+, demonstrates many world-leading reporting practices. It provides extensive coverage of The Co-operative Group's impacts, and also of its work as an influencer and change agent.

The Co-operative remains a leader in sustainability. During 2008/09, The Financial Times awarded it the accolade of 'most ethical brand'. It also achieved a platinum ranking in the Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility Index.

We previously assured the Group's 2006/07 and 2007/08 reports. Before that, we provided report assurance to the Co-operative Financial Services subsidiary.

The Co-operative Group’s 2008/09 sustainability report, including our assurance statement