Leading Canadian Companies Urge World Governments to Act on Climate Change: Copenhagen Communiqué Presented to UN Today

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20090922005237/en

TORONTO & VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(Business Wire)--
A global business call to action on climate change-including over 60 leading
Canadian companies and organizations-will be presented to UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon at a negotiation session of the UN General Assembly in New York
today. Canadian corporate leaders are calling for world governments to complete
an ambitious, robust and equitable deal on climate change at the UN climate
negotiations in Copenhagen this December.

The Copenhagen Communiqué, a global campaign by prominent business leaders,
urges world governments to adopt a global emissions cap and long-term reduction
pathway for all greenhouse gas emissions and sources, and requires developed
countries to lead on immediate and deep emission reduction commitments. The
Copenhagen Communiqué is an initiative of The Prince of Wales`s Corporate
Leaders` Group on Climate Change which is run by The University of Cambridge
Programme for Sustainability Leadership. Canadian partners and signatories
Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR), WWF-Canada, LoyaltyOne (AIR
MILES Reward Program), and Mountain Equipment Co-op have encouraged Canadian
companies to lend their voice to the call.

Canadian signatories represented on the Communiqué include Indigo Books & Music
Inc., Research In Motion, Royal Bank of Canada, Bombardier Inc., Domtar, The
Co-operators Group Ltd., Alterna Savings, Fairmont Hotel and Resorts Inc.,
Scotiabank, BMO Financial Group and BC Hydro. The campaign has reached its goal
of securing 500 high profile global corporate signatories.

"Climate change is of course not just an environmental issue; it will have
profound effects on societies and businesses the world over," said MEC CEO David
Labistour. "How and to what extent can only be mitigated by a comprehensive and
progressive climate policy, and MEC supports the Copenhagen Communiquéas one
step along this path."

Today`s UN meeting of over 100 world leaders is in preparation for the UN
Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December, 2009.

Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR) is a network of Canadian
companies focused on environmental, social and economic solutions that lead to
better business and a better world. Founded in 1995, CBSR is a globally
recognized source for corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Canada. To learn
more visit www.cbsr.ca.

WWF-Canada is part of WWF, the global conservation organization. WWF`s mission
is to stop the degradation of the planet`s natural environment and to build a
future in which humans live in harmony with nature. WWF-Canada`s top priorities
are fighting climate change, the single biggest environmental threat to our
planet; and conserving our oceans and freshwater resources. For more
information, visit www.wwf.ca.

LoyaltyOneTM works with more than 100 of North America`s leading brands in the
retail, financial services, grocery, petroleum retail, travel, and hospitality
industries to profitably change customer behavior. Through a team of businesses
including Canada`s AIR MILES Reward Program, COLLOQUY, Precima, LoyaltyOne
Consulting and Direct Antidote, LoyaltyOne designs, delivers, and manages a
suite of loyalty marketing services. LoyaltyOne is also a corporate
environmental leader and behavioral influencer by leveraging the broad reach of
its AIR MILES Reward Program and offering additional incentives to consumers for
more sustainable lifestyle choices. LoyaltyOne is owned by Alliance Data. More
information is available at www.loyalty.com.

Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) is Canada`s leading retailer of outdoor clothing,
gear and service for self-propelled activities. Established in 1971, MEC has
more than 3 million members throughout Canada and around the world. Widely
recognized for its commitment to sustainability - economic, social,
environmental - MEC is a member of One Percent for The Planet, an alliance of
some 500 companies in 20 countries that annually allocate one per cent of their
total revenues towards various community-based environmental initiatives.
Additional information about MEC is available online at: www.mec.ca.

Links

Global advisory and press release - September 22, 2009:
http://www.cbsr.ca/cbsrftp/MEH/Advisory_and_press_release.pdf

Current signatories list
http://www.cbsr.ca/cbsrftp/MEH/CurrentCopenhagenCommuniqueSignatories.pdf

Text of the Copenhagen Communiqué
http://www.cpsl.cam.ac.uk/pdf/Copenhagen%20Communique%20-%20English.pdf

Official United Nations Climate Change Conference site - COP15
http://en.cop15.dk/

Canadian Signatories

Alterna Savings Green Enterprise Toronto
AutoShare Green Living
Avani Creations Inc. Green Power Action Inc.
BC Hydro Groupe Aeroplan
Be Bold Do Good Groupe Daoust/Forget Inc
BMO Financial Group Harbourfront Centre
Bombardier Inc. Hemlock Printers Ltd.
Bullfrog Power Horizon Capital Holdings Inc.
Canadian Baha`i Business Forum Horizon Recycling Inc
Canadian Business for Social Responsibility Indigo Books & Music Inc.
Carbon Foresight Interstar Pigment Admixture & Fibers
Carpe Diem Growth Capital Junxion Strategy
Cascades Inc. LimeLight Event Marketing
Cedarvue Partners LoyaltyOne
Change Mountain Equipment Coop
ClimateCHECK OZONE
Comette Consulting ParticipACTION
Conseil des Entreprises de Services Environnementaux Pre-think Inc
Craftsman Group of Companies Quebec Business Council for the Environment (CPEQ)
Domtar Corporation Research in Motion
eFiling Cabinet For Dummies-Org-Matters Software Inc. RESCo Energy Inc.
Exponentia Royal Bank of Canada
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts ROYAL MCGOUN
Fairware Promotional Products Scotiabank
Forest Products Association of Canada The Co-operators Group Ltd.
Forest Stewardship Council Canada The Duha Group
Four Corners Group The Natural Step Canada
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts The Sustainability Advantage
Global Pet Food Stores Inc. TORLYS Inc
GlobeScan Incorporated traffic marketing + design inc.
Grassroots Inc Watters Environmental Group Inc.
Greater Toronto Airports Authority Westport Innovations
World Green Building Council
World Wildlife Fund Canada
Zero Carbon Inc.
Zerofootprint

To learn more about the Copenhagen Communiqué:
WWF-Canada
Josh Laughren, Director, Communications
Office: 416-484-7708
Cell: 647-400-9578
jlaughren@wwfcanada.org
wwf.ca
or
Canadian Business for Social Responsibility
Robyn Hall, Communications Manager
Office: 416-703-7435 x232
Cell: 416-559-3951
robyn@cbsr.ca
www.cbsr.ca
or
Mountain Equipment Co-op
Tim Southam, Public Affairs Manager
Office: 604-707-4480
Cell: 604-561-4528
tsoutham@mec.ca
www.mec.ca
or
LoyaltyOne/AIR MILES
Jill McBride or Will Sikes
Office: 513-231-5115
Cell: 513-646-5188
jill@jzmcbride.com or will@jzmcbride.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009