Lesson 7 - CSR, Stakeholder Reporting On Non finacial Issues Flashcards
CSR definition
The commitment by business to behave ethically
and contribute to economic development
While improving quality of life of the workforce as well as the community and society
Reporting on non financial issues
Corporate citizenship
Belief that companies should act in the same way as citizens
Meeting the countries legal, social, ethical and economic responsibilities expected of its citizens
But companies are not citizens and have a wider role to play
Sustainability
How a company carries out its operations
Develops its strategy
And manages risk
To have a positive impact or to lessen the negative impact on the environment
ESG and investors
Integrating ESG issues / concerns into capital markets
Fund managers and institutional investors have bought these 3 areas together and their benchmarking /scoring companies on these factors
CSR benefits - business case
CRISIS-
Capital
Relevant
Innovation
Sustainability
Investors (attract)
1-sustainability of company
2-reduce reputation risk
3-attract capital
4-necessary for innovation (ideas treatment of workforce WFH)
5-obtain competitive advantage
6-stay relevant and competitive
How CSR measured
Considerations when developing measures or targets
1- focus on outcomes
2- measure the outcome from a qualitative and quantitative perspective
3- engage and listen to stakeholders
4- do not undervalue stories - very powerful (changing lives through donations)
5- learn from others
6-identify and measure risks
7-measure, refine, modify and measure again (continually re examine measures)
Drivers for CSR
laws and regulations
OECD guidelines
World bank guidance
Investors are using ESG to evaluate companies and their values (record on human rights, impact on environment)
Also referred to as socially responsible investment
Greenwashing
making unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a product or service
Types of CSR activity
Philanthropy
high benefit to society
low benefit to organization
e.g. Patagonia donate profits
Pet projects
benefit to society low and
low benefit to organization
e.g. sponsor opera
Partnerships
High benefit to society
High benefit to organization
Eg football youth partnership
Propaganda
sponsoring an event
High benefit to org
Low benefit to society
E.g. virgin media sponsoring London marathon
Approaches to CSR
(area of impact)
ENVIRONMENTAL APPROACH - using paper straws as opposed to plastic
COMMUNITY APPROACH - companies sponsoring volunteer days or events to give back to the community
EMPLOYEE APPROACH - employee wellbeing focus - yoga, meditation
ETHICS APPROACH - ensure ethics of suppliers aligned to your own
SUPPLIER APPROACH
Creating CSR partnerships- benefits
CSR initiatives
UN Sustainability goals 17 goals - eliminate poverty, hunger, focus quality education, clean water, etc
UN Global compact - 10 principles cover human rights, Labour, environment.
Sigma project guidelines - sustainability reporting framework
Equator Principles- risk management framework to determine,assess and manage environmental and social risks
OECD guidelines - encourage positive contributions to environment, social progress
Benchmarking CSR
Dow Jones Sustainability Index
*FTSE 4 GOOD indexes**
Business in Community responsible Business Tracker - BITC
But there is no requirement or legislation for companies to report on CSR
But companies only talk about what they are doing well
This is on the horizon though
CoSec Role in CSR
Develop KPIs
Annual review at board
Advise of directors duties section 172 promote long term success of company
Communicate views of stakeholder and what are other companies doing