April 26th, 2013

To our stakeholders:

I am pleased to be overseeing the submission of the first Communications on Progress for Ecosystem Restoration Associates Inc. This report outlines and describes how our policies focus on the ten universally accepted principles for human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption identified by the United Nations Global Compact initiative.

By participating in this initiative, we are promoting increased transparency in our business policies and operations that can be presented to our stakeholders.

Frederic Jaquemont
President
Ecosystem Restoration Associates Inc.

ERA Ecosystem Restoration Associates Inc. and its subsidiary ERA-CONGO (together ERA) are fully committed to respecting internationally recognized human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, corresponding international covenants adopted by the General Assemble of the United Nations and International Labour Organization Conventions and standards found in International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law.

ERA takes account of local culture in its decision-making processes while not condoning cultural patterns, which denigrate human beings on the basis of gender, class, racial/ethnic origin, culture, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, caste, tribe or disability.

ERA carefully considers the international human rights when making company decisions and prior to entering into business relationships, either as a direct partner or through a third-party venture in which it holds an interest with the parties or entitles of any state recognized or known for its widespread violations of international human rights standards. By policy and practice ERA CONGO does not commit or engage in activity which leads to the abuse and violation of internationally recognized human rights standards, nor does it assist in abuses and violations committed by others.

ERA’s company decisions are made in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

A grievance policy has been implemented to address all contraventions of health and safety and human rights in the company’s operations. Grievances are reviewed and recorded by an appointed committee and corrective action is taken.

Operations in countries, which consistently violate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are reviewed by the Board of Directors. ERA consults with local communities on a regular basis to discuss the company’s business goals in relation to community needs, including social and environmental concerns. ERA reports in oral and written form, on its community impact in a manner that is accessible to local communities in the local language.

To date, Ecosystem Restoration Associates Inc. has not been subject to any investigations, legal cases or incidents involving Human Rights.

ERA is an equal opportunity employer that governs its employment practices and industrial relations using various local and international labour laws and standards. The International Labour Organization (ILO) standard includes genuine respect for employees’ right to freedom of association, labour organization, free collective bargaining, non-discrimination in employment and a safe and healthy working environment provided for all employees.

ERA does not discriminate on the basis of gender, racial/ethnic origin, social or ethnic origin, culture, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, citizenship or political opinion. ERA is an equal opportunity employer that values all of their employees in terms of their social, intellectual, economic and personal contribution to the company in every sector of its operations.

ERA shows strict adherence to the governmental Labour Laws as well as an internal employee policy. All employee management is governed by these laws and policies. The company does not use any forced labour, whether in the forms of prison labour, indentured labour, bonded labour, slave labour or any other non-voluntary labour. Where necessary, labour lawyers ensure compliance with this corporate code of conduct. As well, annual Climate Community and Biodiversity audits ensure compliance with national and international labour regulations.

ERA provides adequate technical training, which contributes to the advancement of all workers, especially woman. The capacity building of women is an important indicator of project success and is monitored and audited under the Climate Community and Biodiviersity standards.

ERA is audited against standards that address adherence to labour laws and equal opportunity employment. To date no labour incidents have been recognized or reported during this period.

As a company focused on developing and promoting environmental conservation, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and forest restoration projects, ERA strives to contribute to long-term environmental sustainability at all levels of management and operations. Issues such as climate change, bio-diversity and pollution prevention are central to daily operations and projects we develop through our business.

As a conservation company, our activities are not likely to damage the local or global environment. Nonetheless, project methodologies and standard operating procedures are in place and implemented throughout the project activities to ensure that the company’s actions do not create such damage the global and local environment. ERA is required by project standards to evaluate the environmental and community sustainability of its operations. Each activity is implemented with careful planning that researches all the potential impacts of an activity.

ERA designs, develops and implements projects using carbon industry standards and methodology frameworks. Planned project activities include ecosystems preservation, the protection of the biosphere, sustainable use of natural resources, reduction of impact to the environment including greenhouse gas emissions reduction and environmental restoration.

ERA refrains from using genetically modified organisms or non-native species in its afforestation and reforestation activities, the company initiates and makes public a validation and verification third party audited reports that take into account the impact on land and forest management.

ERA regularly evaluates project performance against industry standards such as the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA) and Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) through robust third party high quality assurance validation and verification audits. These standards address carbon accounting, climate change, biodiversity conservation, local community development and employee rights and capacity building.

At all levels, ERA insists on honesty and integrity in all aspects of its business, wherever business is conducted. ERA is committed to transparency in all its accounting and financial reporting statements. These statements are made available to shareholders in compliance with independent auditing and financial reporting principles.

ERA acknowledges that in order for socially responsible investment to take place, it must respect the integrity of creation and be based on human and community needs. Relevant stakeholders are first consulted and recommendations of these stakeholder groups are considered and incorporated in project development when appropriate.

ERA’s directors and senior management certify in writing the accuracy of all financial statements, and fully disclose and publicly report the financial standing of the company in an understandable manner.

The senior administrative officer of each significant unit of the company, as well as the company Chief Executive Officer, is required annually to sign a letter containing the following representations: has not been party to the offering, paying or receiving of bribes; that no payments have been made which knowingly violate the laws of the countries in which the company operates; and that no receipts or payments of monies or other assets derived from the company (unit) have been either unrecorded or falsified when described in the relevant books and records and no other improper accounting practice has been adopted in the period under review.

All transactions on behalf of the company are appropriately described in the accounts of the company in accordance with established procedures and are subject to annual audits.