Environmental resolution signed by ICA - Americas members during the 1st Co-operative Summit of the Americas on 24 September 2009 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Considering:
1. that ICA-Americas, as the organization that represents and defends the co-operative movement, has undertaken the task of working to contribute to environmental conservation.
2. that ICA-Americas, as the organization of co-operative regional integration, shall promote actions of its members on behalf of the environment
3. that co-operatives are ruled by the 7 co-operative principles, being the seventh “cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members”
4. that the deterioration of the environment, reflected in phenomena such as global warming, scarcity of natural resources, deforestation, water and air pollution, biological diversity destruction and desertification, highlights the need for ICA-Americas to take action in this matter
5. that the impacts of human beings on Earth must be minimized and reverted as soon as possible to guarantee sustainability of the global community
6. that co-operatives as social organizations can positively venture into environmental
7. that through concrete actions, co-operatives can have a multiplier effect on society
8. that co-operators, have showed interest in working on environmental issues
9. that the deterioration of the environment affects not only flora and fauna, but is also detrimental to the economy and well-being of society
10. that ICA is working on environmental topics and in April 2008 adopted the “Strategy to Address Climate Change” aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to motivate members towards a lower carbon lifestyle and to influence governmental decisions to efficiently and rapidly diminish carbon emissions.
11. that all co-operatives contribute to the deterioration of the environment if certain practices are not corrected and if help is not given regarding this issue
12. that the American continent has natural resources that need to be preserved for environmental conservation and future generations
13. that the willingness of the co-operative movement today should be taken advantage of to generate positive changes in the environment
Agree to:
1. Take action both internal and external to the organization, to preserve the environment beyond what is expected by law, demonstrating their genuine leadership as co-operative responsibility.
2. Include an environmental section as a norm of conduct of the organization and as part of their competitive business strategies.
3. Provide institutional support, within the scope of ICA-Americas, to member organizations addressing environmental issues.
4. Disseminate information on events related to the conservation of the environment and natural resources.
5. Adopt the following distinctive symbol developed by the Confederation of Colombian Cooperatives (CONFECOOP), which will be used by co-operatives to highlight actions taken in compliance with the Green Pact.
