Corporate Environmental Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility

The term "corporate social responsibility" came into common use in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s after many multinational corporations formed the term stakeholder, meaning those on whom an organization's activities have an impact.

Corporate Social ResponsibilityActivities contribute to business performance

Engage with stakeholders; internal and external

Incorporate values to make it a part of an articulated belief system

Cause-related Marketing Cause-related Partnerships Voluntary Monitoring; Environmental Charters

Important to and even expected by the public Easily monitored worldwide

Corporate Environmental ResponsibilityDo corporation have a social responsibility to

protect the environment beyond legal requirements?

Can they do so on a sustainable basis?

Should firms sacrifice profits for positive environmental impacts?

Conflict between intent and practice

Corporate Environmental ResponsibilityFrom a purely scientific standpoint,

companies have to begin being sustainable

Most pollution is directly tied to corporate enterprises

Climate Change initiatives mean increased governmental regulation; reactive vs. proactive

Corporate Environmental ResponsibilityOpportunities to save money directly by

reducing energy use or waste;Many leading companies are demanding

partners also conduct themselves in a socially-conscious manner; and,

Potential government intervention of more costly and less flexible regulation if business does not self-regulate.

Environmental, Social, and Governance

ESG companies tend to share the following attributes:

Are leaders in their industries Are better managed and are more forward-

thinking Are better at anticipating and mitigating risk Meet positive standards of corporate responsibility Are focused on the long term success of the

company

www.esgmanagers.com/sustainable_investing/what_is_esg

Challenges for Small Businesses

• Do small businesses have to make trade-offs/ concessions?

• Is this model sustainable?

• Must increase the customers’ willingness to pay or reduce costs; increase revenues vs. decreasing cost of inputs

InitiativesLead by example by reducing energy use and

GHG emissions throughout our operations, and encouraging our vendors and business partners to do the same

Foster transparency and provide complete, accurate, and timely environmental impact reports

Promote environmental standards, such as ISO 14001, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), and GHG Protocol

Encourage dialogue about environmental issues among our customers, analysts, and non-government organizations (NGOs)

GoalsReduce energy and water consumption 20%

by 2020. Green our supply chain; procurement of

materials, office supplies, and equipment.Educate and inspire associates and

customers to conserve and preserve.Address environmental challenges through

conservation initiatives, charitable giving, and volunteerism.

Action ItemsRoute Scheduling- longer lead times to make

routes more efficient (FTLs); timing to maximize portion of the day when less GHG emitted

Reconditioned Drums and recycled fiber drums

Recycling totes and metal framesProcuring office supplies with post-consumer

recycled contentRenewable Energy Credits/ Carbon Offsets

Quick & Easy Tips to Save EnergyActivate the power-save function on your computer ;

turning off your monitor when you walk away for 20 minutes and your computer when you leave your desk for more than two hours; turn off your lights

Cut related energy bills by 30 percent by purchasing ENERGY STAR products when shopping for office equipment and other products

Seal off unused areas and reduce or eliminate heating and cooling in these spaces.; storage rooms, warehouses, and unoccupied areas

Renewable Energy CreditsNC GreenPower 501 (c) (3);

ncgreenpower.org