Ing Group > knowledge, innovation, delivery
corporate social responsibilty
build a better world and a better business
For many companies, developing a CSR program is no longer seen as an extra cost or burden but rather as something that makes good business sense.
Documented benefits from implementing a CSR program include –
• enhanced reputation
• benchmarked performance
• improved operations and management
• improved risk management
• increased confidence from investor, insurers and financial organisations
• improved communication with stakeholders.
Over the last decade 'three pillars of sustainable development' have gained general acceptance –
• the generation of economic wealth
• environmental improvement
• social responsibility.
These 'pillars' define the basic areas for developing corporate responsibility (CSR) programs, often broken into five key areas –
• human rights
• employee rights
• environmental protection
• community involvement
• supplier relations
Determine your values, then act on them through specific initiatives.
What matters is taking a stand, doing something and making a difference. It is important to work out a program that works in your business context.
At ing group (a small company), we believe that environmental issues are the most important problem we face, so we are developing a CSR program along –
• environmental protection (water, energy, recycling, carbon credit offsets)
• community involvement (industry groups, volunteer activities, community recycling and support)
Triple bottom line reporting
if you're doing good, tell everybody
It makes good business sense to report on your CSR activities – often referred to as 'triple bottom line reporting.'
While still voluntary in Australia, an increasing number of companies produce such reports, as 'stand alones' or as part of mandated fiduciary reports.
related links
some places to start
The Amsterdam Declaration on global change (2001)
The Earth's environment and habitability are now, as never before, affected by human activities. This conference presented the latest scientific understanding of natural and human-driven changes on our planet. It examined the effects on our societies and lives, and explored what the future may hold. It also set out a Declaration on Global Change, available at [sciconf.igbp ...]
Australian Business Council
"Sustainability: A Guide to Triple Bottom Line Reporting," Business Council of Australia, 2003. Provides senior executives with a high level of understanding of TBL Reporting. The 55 page white paper is available at [group100.com.au/publications/G100 ...]
Australian business roundtable on climate change
"The Business Case for Early Action," April 2006. Report from group of Australian business leaders in consultation with the CSIRO and the Australian Conservation Foundation. Reports are available at businessroundtable.com.au
Australian Greenhouse Office
Australian federal government agency responsible for the coordination of domestic climate change policy, managing and providing information and initiatives aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions. For business and industry CSR view at [greenhouse.gov.au/industr ...] An online database library relating to CSR is located at [greenhouse.gov.au/nav/databases ...]
South Australian Government Office of Sustainability
A concise source of information from an Australian perspective covering TBL Reporting. View at [environment.sa.gov.au/sustainability ...]
Curtin University of Technology
"TBL: It's Relevance and Application to Agricultural Production and Marketing," Curtin University of Technology, 2002. This 10pp white paper briefly covers history, definitions and applications of TBL Reporting. Located at [muresk.curtin.edu.au/research/otherpublications ...]
Global Reporting Inititative (GRI)
Accepted as a global standard for sustainability reporting, the current G3 GRI Guideline was released August 2006 and is available at globalreporting.org
Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage
"Triple Bottom Line Reporting in Australia – A Guide to Reporting Against Environment Indicators," Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage, 2003. Download at deh.gov.au/about/environment-reports/index.html
