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23 SUMMER 2024 A green approach is also top of mind at Assiniboine Credit Union, where sustainabil- ity has been locked into corporate strategic plans for several cycles. Dennis Cunningham, ACU's sustainability manager, notes that "concern of community" is one of the seven co-operative principles. "One of the ways we adhere to this prin- ciple is through our environmental actions," he says. "At a high level, our strategic plan com- mits us organizationally to achieving annual greenhouse gas emissions targets. These reduction targets can only be achieved through actions like improvements to build- ing energy efficiency, promoting green and active commuting, reducing paper usage, recycling and composting." ACU includes environmental sustainability in its values-based banking commitment. Since ACU is a certified B Corp — a designa- tion that recognizes social and environmen- tal performance, accountability and trans- parency — its environmental actions play an important part in retaining this certification. "We are the only credit union in Manitoba that has taken an environmental leadership position — carbon neutral since 2018 and B Corp-certified with one of the highest scores in the world," Cunningham says. "We know our members and the communi- ties we serve appreciate our efforts on this. Our employees also report a strong sense of pride because of our commitment to envi- ronmental sustainability. We know there is value in these actions from market differen- tiation, employee attraction and retention, and organizational efficiency perspectives." To support sustainability, ACU has incor- porated an extensive waste-management program that includes composting at many of its locations. Energy-efficient branches also support green and active commuting by having lockers, showers and secure bike storage. "Many of our branches are located near transit or active transportation routes," Cunningham says. "In 2023, 58 per cent of employee reported being green and active commuters. A decade earlier, 63 per cent of all employees were drive-alone commuters." Since 2012, ACU has also been measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. "We set annual greenhouse gas reduc- tion targets and use our progress toward the target as part of the calculation of annual bonuses," Cunningham says. "We also developed a sustainable procure- ment policy that establishes clear guide- lines for ensuring social and environmental criteria are included in all procurement decisions." With an eye on the environment, ACU has provided $40,000 in the past two years in support for urban reforestation initiatives co-ordinated by Trees Winnipeg. Looking ahead, ACU's sustainability plans include collaboration with local builders and developers to support deep energy retrofits, passive house and net-zero construction. ACU is also starting the process to mea- sure greenhouse gas emissions from its lending portfolio. As well, it's building better systems to identify climate change-related physical and transitional risks that may im- pact members and operations. "Climate change represents real and long- term threats to human health, the ecosys- tems we rely on, and demands significant action from government, civil society and business," Cunningham says. "We are taking these actions to be a responsible business and good corporate citizens." ■ "We are the only credit union in Manitoba that has taken an environmental leadership position — carbon neutral since 2018 and B Corp-certified with one of the highest scores in the world." – Dennis Cunningham, ACU's sustainability manager " < DENNIS CUNNINGHAM, ACU'S SUSTAINABILTY MANAGER PHOTO BY DARCY FINLEY

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