The Co-operators Group Ltd. has wrapped up the first part of CSR: Co-operators Sustainability Race, an innovative staff and agent engagement project developed in partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation, the financial services co-operative said Tuesday.

More than 330 people from offices across Canada registered for the first part, the Transportation Race, which took place over three weeks in October.

CSR consists of a social media platform hosted on a dedicated micro-site. It includes participant profiles and daily tracking of each person\u2019s sustainability-related activities, as well as a vast collection of information on environmental topics. Participants can network with each other to challenge and encourage each other one-on-one, and see how their progress compares with that of their colleagues on a daily basis.

This is the first time that the David Suzuki Foundation has partnered with a corporation to create a program of this nature. \u201cChanging the way we think about everyday routines such as how we get to work is a big part of lessening our environmental footprint,\u201d said world-renowned scientist and environmentalist David Suzuki. \u201cThe Co-operators Sustainability Race encourages participants to consider the impacts of their choices and promotes dialogue about sustainability.\u201d

During the first part of CSR, the Transportation Race, participants earned points for reducing their vehicle usage, opting for green alternatives such as public transportation and carpooling, influencing the behaviour of others, and contributing to discussions of sustainability issues on the micro-site.

\u201cStaff and agents have been very actively engaged in a number of the organization\u2019s sustainability initiatives,\u201d says Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of Guelph, Ont.-based The Co-operators. \u201cThrough this social media platform, we\u2019ve been able to connect people from different parts of the country and facilitate their engagement in sustainability discussions.\u201d

The Co-operators also announced that the next race will focus on food and will be launched on November 15. For three weeks, participants will be encouraged to make more environmentally responsible food choices. Examples could include reducing one\u2019s consumption of meat or opting for locally-grown foods, organic fruits and vegetables, or items with minimal packaging. Two additional races have been developed focusing on energy and water, and are planned for 2011.

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