Governance
Guided by ethical principles and participatory management policies, LIFE Institute believes that full transparency ensures the effectiveness of its management and internal governance process. Governed by a strict statute and to ensure due process, LIFE Institute established built-in hierarchical levels: General Assembly, Board of Directors, Fiscal Council, Executive Secretariat, Technical Commissions. Additionally, as part of its Governance policy, LIFE Institute publishes Annual Activity and Financial Statement Reports.One of LIFE Institute’s objectives is to ensure that LIFE Certification meets its main goal, i.e., the incorporation of biodiversity conservation into business models and policies . To do so, the organization will hold Public Consultations (as shown in the Box below) while maintaining a permanent updating process of its LIFE Certification Regulations to ensure these mirror/reflect businesses’ latest management best practices.
According to plan, LIFE Institute will ensure that LIFE Certification becomes part of the debate on “Business and Biodiversity” both in Brazil and around the world. The creation of LIFE Certification opens the opportunity to join forces with other international initiatives geared to show the production sector the need to implement pro-biodiversity actions, as a means to ensure the survival of their own business.
The inclusion of LIFE Certification in the Business and Biodiversity current talks is also one of LIFE Institute partners’ goals. An example of this commitment is the official support given to the initiative by the United Nations “Convention on Biological Diversity” (CBD) and by the Brazilian Ministry for the Environment / the Brazilian Government (through the Ministry for the Environment) and the Municipal Government of Curitiba. This support was formalized with the recent signing of the “Curitiba Charter on Business and Biodiversity”during the official launch of LIFE Institute and LIFE Certification on July 17, 2009.
During the certification process, LIFE Institute may hold Public Consultations whenever deemed necessary, aiming to add to the transparency of its procedures as well as creating an opportunity for receiving suggestions to enhance its documentation and operational processes.
Individuals can offer their opinion and suggestions on the topic submitted for consultation in two different ways: 1) by attending open meetings; 2) by accessing this website when documents are made available to the general public for evaluation.
Public Consultation – 7/17/2009 to 9/30/2009
Subject: LIFE Certification Regulations
Objective: This first Public Consultation aims to incorporate suggestions to the LIFE Certification Regulations text.
Submitting Suggestions: Opinions and suggestions can be submitted via e-mail to:
life@institutolife.org or a letter addressed to:
LIFE Institute
Rua Victor Benato, 210 - Bloco Azul da UNILIVRE - Pilarzinho 82120-110 – Curitiba, PR