Sustainable Consulting

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www.sustainabilityconsulting.cominfo@sustainabilityconsulting.com

1-202-470-3248

The SSC Code of Ethics

This code of ethics applies to all SSC personnel (including owners,

managers, employees, interns, and volunteers) as well as any consultants undertaking projects on behalf of SSC.

Last Updated: January 10, 2011



www.sustainabilityconsulting.com

Strategic Sustainability Consulting's success as a professional servicescompany is based on the integrity and competence of our consultants. Our

clients place their trust in our abilities and in our professional commitment tooperate fairly and honestly, going above and beyond full compliance with thelaws and regulations wherever we do business.

As we continue to expand our consultant network globally, we will be facedwith an increasingly complex business and legal environment. For this reason,we must always operate under one set of standards - standards that are rootedin Our Guiding Values and set forth in this Code of Ethics, which applies to allemployees and consultants working in association with the SSC Consultant

Network.

While this Code of Ethics provides general guidelines and examples of ethicaldilemmas you may encounter, not every situation can be covered in thisdocument. For that reason, it is important to speak up and ask questionswhenever there is any doubt about how to interpret a policy or legalrequirement, or how to proceed in a responsible and ethical manner. If you areaware of a legal or ethical violation, it is your obligation to report it promptlyto Strategic Sustainability Consulting.

Before you undertake an assignment with Strategic Sustainability Consulting,you are required to read and acknowledge your compliance with the SSC Codeof Ethics. If you have questions or concerns about this Code of Ethics, or haveknowledge or suspicions of violations, please contact:

Jennifer K. Woofter, PresidentStrategic Sustainability Consulting

888 Station StreetHerndon, VA 20170

1.202.470.3248 [email protected]




Corporate social responsibility is not just the "right"

thing to do, but also makes good business sense.With the goal of long-term sustainable developmentin mind, we commit to:

Integrity—we go beyond mere compliance with thelaw and look for ways to be more honest, moreaccountable, and more transparent in everything wedo.

Positive Social Impact— we offer products andservices that make the world a better place,including pro-bono work to clients who wouldotherwise be unable to fund CSR initiatives.

Environmental Responsibility—we chooseenvironmentally-friendly alternatives, encourage e-meetings, and offset our carbon emissions.

Social Responsibility—we endorse the UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights and strive to buy onlyfrom suppliers who respect ILO Conventions.

Community Service—we participate in the localcommunity through volunteerism and charitablegiving.




1. I am competent in my field.2. I will always make every attempt to identify the client's real

problems.

3. I will always clearly specify my role in the client's project orassignment.

4. I will adapt to the individuality of my client's problems orneeds.

5. My recommendations will be feasible.

6. I will at all times avoid any conflict of interest.7. I will never fail to perform my services to the best of my

abilities.

8. I will never deceive my client.

9. I will never promise too much too soon.

10. I will never be negligent.

11. I will always inform my client of the risks of any undertaking.

12. I will always inform my client of my basic approach to hisproblem.

13.The matter of my fee will always be presented forthrightly sothat my client will always know what his money will buy.

14. I will maintain total confidentiality with regard to my client'sbusiness.

15. I will always work to the best of my ability to ensure thequick success of my client's project.

16.Charges for expenses over and above my regular fee willalways be fair and accurate.

17. I will only represent opinions as independent if they are freefrom subordinated judgment and there is no undisclosedinterest in the outcome of my client's decision.




Achievement of our performance goals means

everyone in the SSC Consultant Network mustcommunicate candidly and openly. We mustexchange important information with our members,and continuously offer our suggestions to reducecosts and improve our operations.

It is important that members of the SSC ConsultantNetwork create an environment where new ideas areencouraged and rewarded. SSC Consultant Networkconsultants must also foster open communicationsand accountability with other SSC ConsultantNetwork consultants.




You must not use your position with SSC or the

SSC Consultant Network, or any SSC propertyor information, to compete with StrategicSustainability Consulting or personally gain orbenefit from opportunities or ideas developedin the course of your work for SSC.

These opportunities and ideas are the propertyof SSC and a conflict of interest may exist if you use them for personal benefit withoutprior written consent from SSC.

In addition, you may not use your position with

the SSC Consultant Network for the benefit of any other person or organization even if youdo not personally benefit, unless you haveobtained prior written consent.




We will keep client information and records of client

engagements confidential and will use proprietaryclient information only with the client's permission.We will not take advantage of confidential clientinformation for ourselves or our firms. We will notallow conflicts of interest which provide acompetitive advantage to one client through our use

of confidential information from another client whois a direct competitor without that competitor'spermission.

We respect the privacy of our consultants, and willprotect any personal information that we arerequired to collect for operating or legal purposes.




We value workforce inclusion and the unique

contribution that each of our consultants brings tothe SSC Consultant Network. We believe that webenefit from the different skills and experiences of consultants from a host of different backgrounds.We prohibit discrimination based on race, color,religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity,

age, national origin, citizenship status, veteranstatus, and disability.




Respect for the dignity of consultants is a core value

of the SSC Consultant Network. We believe that allconsultants should be treated with fairness andrespect and, in turn, should treat others in the samefashion. We will not tolerate degrading orhumiliating jokes, slurs, intimidation or anyharassing conduct toward others.

Harassment can take many forms, includingunwelcome sexual advances or propositions,requests for sexual favors, threats, threateningconduct as well as unwanted physical contact.Harassment may also include inappropriate anddistasteful comments about a person's age, race,

religious affiliation, sexual orientation, disability ornational origin.

No matter where harassment exists or whois involved, it is strictly prohibited. Violations willresult in disciplinary action up to and including

dismissal from the SSC Consultant Network.




We seek out alliances, partnerships, and vendor

relationships with women and minority-ownedbusinesses. For example, as of 2011 we workedwith a woman-owned graphic design company, aminority-owned CPA firm, and a GLBT-ownedbusiness coach.

We also seek to purchase from local (within 100miles) and independent businesses when the cost of business and quality are the same.




Our commitment to the environment is embodied

not only in our compliance with environmental lawsand regulations, but also in our product stewardshipprograms and business consulting. Each member of the SSC Consultant Network is responsible forsupporting our commitment to environmentalexcellence.

Because our primary environmental impact is travel,we seek to minimize our carbon emissions wheneverpossible through virtualization and green travelpractices like carpooling and using public transit.

We also seek to operate a paperless office, defined

as using less than one ream of paper (500 sheets)per year. We accomplish this through electronicdocument delivery, e-banking, and e-invoices.

We are committed to offsetting 100% of our carbonfootprint on an annual basis, including the impacts

associated with the SSC Consultant Network (forprojects undertaken directly with SSC).




All SSC Consultant Network operations are to be

conducted in a manner that protects the health andsafety of all people in the communities where weoperate. Unless otherwise required by legalrequirements or auditor professional standards of conduct, in the event that you suspect, or becomeaware of, a situation where the environment, health,

and safety of a project is being compromised, youmust report it to SSC management immediately.




Infrequently, you may offer and accept meals and entertainment inconnection with a business relationship, provided that your

activities are consistent with accepted business practices, not lavishor extravagant and do not create a sense of obligation. If youexpect meals and entertainment to be outside the norm in terms of frequency and cost, you must obtain approval in advance by anappropriate level of management.

Generally, you may not accept offers of expense-paid travel by asupplier or a customer unless the trip involves a legitimatebusiness purpose or is part of a group hosted by the supplier orcustomer. Additionally the travel must be approved in advance byan appropriate level of management.

The following gifts are not permitted and may not be given oraccepted by SSC Consultants under any circumstances:

• Gifts in cash or cash equivalents such as coupons or certificatesredeemable for cash.

• Gifts of securities such as stocks, bonds or other negotiableinstruments.

• Gifts valued at more than USD $25, to government employees, publicofficials, government contractors or subcontractors.

•

Any other business courtesy given in an attempt to motivate you to doanything that is prohibited by law, regulation or SSC ConsultantNetwork policy.




Strict rules apply when we do business with

government agencies and officials. Consultantsworking with the U.S. Government, state or localgovernments, or governments from any countrymust be aware of unique laws, regulations, andpolicies governing our actions. Business conductthat is acceptable in the private sector may violate

government procurement laws or regulations.Violations can result in harsh consequences such asfines, penalties, debarment or suspension fromcompeting for government contracts, and evencriminal prosecution of the consultant.

If you are involved in government business, you

must comply with all SSC Consultant Networkpolicies and applicable procurement laws. You mustalso require that all consultants, agents,independent contractors, subcontract labor and anyother individual working for you on a governmentproject or contract agree to comply with the same.




Each of us is responsible for protecting and

preserving Company assets and resources. Youshould safeguard all Company assets and never usethem for any unlawful or unethical purpose.

Intellectual property is one of our most valuablecompany assets. Intellectual property includes

patents, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights andother proprietary information. Consultants willrespect the intellectual property rights of ourclients, other consulting firms, and solepractitioners and will not use proprietaryinformation or methodologies without permission.




The SSC Consultant Network is committed to long-

term growth and prosperity for all who areconnected with us. In the communities where weoperate, we strive to be responsible neighbors andto contribute to social and economic prosperity. Weinvest in our local communities by identifyingstrategic partnerships and projects in the areas of

social and environmental entrepreneurship.We also encourage our consultants to pursuevoluntary personal activities, and SSC personnel areencouraged to use up to four hours per month of normal “work time” in pursuit of volunteer activities.In addition, you must not claim to represent SSC

Consultant Network in any of your endeavorswithout permission.




We encourage our consultants to participate in the

local, national and international political process. Asa citizen you may make contributions to thecandidates or political parties of your choice.However, the SSC Consultant Network will not makeany contributions to political parties, candidates orpublic officials.




Consultants are encouraged to participate in

professional organizations and communityactivities. However, if you accept an invitation toserve as a board member of an outside company,advisory board, committee or agency, you mustinform Strategic Sustainability Consulting if there isany question of conflict of interest.

Approval is not required for membership on theboards of charitable or community organizations aslong as your activities do not conflict with your jobresponsibilities or reflect negatively on theCompany.



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We are committed to providing full, fair, accurate,timely and credible information consistent with legaland regulatory requirements. All SSC ConsultantNetwork consultants, including any agents or otherthird parties working on your behalf, are notauthorized and must not release informationconcerning the SSC Consultant Network or ourbusiness activities or respond to inquiries from themedia or other parties, unless specifically asked todo so by an authorized spokesperson.

If you are asked to respond to requests by internalauditors, legal staff, independent accountants, and

special counsel, your responses must be completeand truthful. You must include all relevantinformation, even if the request does not specificallyask that you do so. This is in the interest of accountability and transparency.

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