Canadian Oil Sands has multiple roles in the responsible development of the oil sands industry.

First, we steward Syncrude to ensure that environmental, social and economic considerations are integrated into its strategy and investment decision making.

We also actively contribute to the industry’s efforts to communicate to a wide range of stakeholders the challenges and opportunities around oil sands development as well as industry efforts to balance the need for energy security and economic development with environmental and social responsibility.

Finally, we believe it is important to share the benefits of oil sands development in our community. Through our community investment program, we strive to be a good corporate citizen and to enhance our neighbours’ quality of life.

In 2012, Canadian Oil Sands Limited was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America for the third consecutive year. Companies are selected for the DJSI based on an annual assessment of their economic performance, environmental strategy, corporate governance, stakeholder engagement and community investment.

• First oil sands operator to receive government certification for reclaimed land.
• Planted approximately 6 million trees and shrubs.
• Creating the world's first large-scale research project on fen restoration in the former east mine.
• Returned over 3,200 hectares of land to nature and an additional 1,200 hectares of land is currently in the reclamation process.
• Responsible for more than 70% of the reclaimed land in the oil sands mining industry
• Pioneered low temperature extraction and hydrotransport, cutting its energy consumption and setting new industry standards.
• 88% of water used in 2011 was from recycled sources.
• Operates the only dedicated R&D facility in the oil sands industry.
• Donates $6 million to community projects annually. 
• Reduced the water intensity of its process by about 60% from levels in the early 1980s.
• Employs a workforce of over 5,000.
• Spent $1.7 billion with Aboriginal businesses since 1992.
• One of Canada’s largest industrial employer of aboriginal people, representing about 9% of Syncrude's workforce..