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The Co-operative Bank*
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Partners |  Partnership Report 2002 |  Our Performance |  Home
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The bank and its
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Financial Statements 2002
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Partners : The bank and its Partners
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moving forward together
The bank has identified seven groups, or Partners, upon whom its continued success is dependent. A summary of each of the Partners, together with details of what matters most to each of them in their relationship with the bank, and an explanation of how performance is measured in these priority areas is provided in this section. Unlike some organisations, the bank does not define 'The Environment' as a separate Partner. The relationship between business and the 'Natural World' is essentially non-negotiable (in contrast to the relationship with suppliers, staff, etc.). The activities of the bank and its Partners are ultimately governed by nature's limited capacity to generate resources and assimilate waste. These limits can be breached for a time, and result in habitat destruction and worsening pollution. However, it is untenable for business to continue in such a manner indefinitely, as all wealth generation is dependent on nature. Based on this understanding, the bank aspires to sustainable development: development which seeks to meet today's needs and aspirations, whilst respecting nature's limits and not compromising the ability of future generations to pursue their own aspirations. For this reason, the bank assesses the degree to which value is delivered to each Partner in an ecologically sustainable (and socially responsible) manner.
Image of women walking to collect water for their families
WaterAid helps some of the world's poorest communities set up safe water supplies close to home. Its work helps stop women like these in Tereta, Ethiopia, having to trek miles each day to collect water for their families. In support of such projects, the bank launched WaterAid Visa affinity credit cards in 2002.
Photograph: WaterAid/Steve Morgan
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The above data and commentary has been audited by ethics etc...
Data, commentary and performance assured in accordance with AA1000as.