The Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CELB) at CI and McDonald’s Corporation have forged a new partnership to promote conservation and sustainable agriculture. The partnership will work to integrate conservation into the purchasing operations of the world's largest food service retailer, focusing on a variety of food and farm products used in Big Macs™, Filet-o-Fish™ sandwiches, french fries and other McDonald's favorites.

"In today's world, a business leader must be an environmental leader as well," says McDonald's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jack Greenberg. The partnership is intended to build upon previous efforts by McDonald's on social responsibility and the environment. One of its first activities is to assess current fishing practices and identify actions that will help McDonald's suppliers and the industry protect and enhance marine biodiversity.

"As a major purchaser of fish products, McDonald's can have a significant impact on marine conservation and positively influence sourcing for the entire industry," says CELB Executive Director Glenn Prickett. "We envision our collaboration producing sustainability guidelines and projects that have a far-reaching impact."

McDonald's began its relationship with CI in 1987 with the design of AMISCONDE, a project providing sustainable economic alternatives to small farming communities in Costa Rica and Panama. The new initiative with CELB renews and expands the partnership by making conservation a factor in McDonald’s purchasing practices in all countries where the company operates. In addition, CELB expects the new partnership will encourage conservation actions by other businesses in the food service industry.