These examples illustrate company interaction with key stakeholder groups and how the information gleaned has shaped corporate decisions.

Political Engagement

Financial Implications of Climate Change

Engagement with elected officials and regulators occurs through meetings; financial contributions by a US subsidiary's Political Action Committee (contributions limited to employees in the United States); and trade associations.

In 2006, PotashCorp initiated meetings with senior US congressional staff and wrote to members of Congress urging action on issues of importance to the company.

These included:

• Working with The Fertilizer Institute, providing comments to the US Department of Homeland Security on proposed chemical facility anti-terrorism standards and transportation workers' identification credentials.
• Educating members of Congress and other government officials about the importance of commercial fertilizers to high-yield agriculture that can ensure a sustainable food supply while meeting the demands of the emerging ethanol industry.

The company's US Political Action Committee made financial contributions totaling $24,500 in 2006. In Trinidad, senior management participates in the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, the Regulated Industries Commission and the Board of Governors of the University of Trinidad and Tobago.

PCS Trinidad is also a key member of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, one of the country's premier business organizations. Through this important relationship, the company participates in the development of policies, rules, regulations and legislation, including health, safety and environmental legislation.

Professional public affairs staff at the Aurora and White Springs phosphate operations meet regularly with state and local officials. They are actively involved with regulatory, permitting and environmental issues associated with their sites.