Peer Reviews and new Compendium on CSR

Presentation to HLG meeting

20 December 2013, Brussels

This Presentation

1. The Peer Reviews: progress to date

2. Current status of NAPs

3. Factors influencing Member State priorities on CSR

4. Horizontal ‘content’ priorities

5. Vertical ‘content’ priorities

6. Some common ‘process’ themes

5. Draft structure of Compendium

6. Questions

The Peer Reviews: Progress to date

Peer review groups Participating countries

Group 1: 5 June (IT) BG, DE, IT, MT

Group 2: 18 June (UK) BE, EE, PL, UK

Group 3: 25 September (SE) CY, ES, RO, SE

Group 4: 22 October (FR) FR, IE, LU, SI

Group 5: 5 November (FI) CZ, EL, FI, PT

Group 6: 28 November (NL) HR, HU, LV, NL

Group 7: 9 December (DK) AU, DK, LT, SK

Member State priorities on CSR: Current status of NAPs

Countries with CSR NAPs under

development:EL, HR, LV, RO, SI,

SK

Countries with current CSR

NAPs:BE, BG, CY, DE,

DK, EE, FI, FR, IT, LT, NL, PL, SE, UK

Countries with CSR NAPs close to

finalisation: AT, CZ, ES IE, HU

MT

Absence of NAP does not mean absence of CSR policies

Member State priorities on CSR: NAPs on Business and Human Rights

No information for other countries;

reference in current NAPs from CY, FI,

FR, LT, NL, SE

Countries with plans for separate NAPs on B&HR:

BE, DE, ES, FI, SE, (PT)

Countries who will include B&HR into

CSR NAP: CZ, MT

Factors influencing Member State priorities on CSR

National priority setting is influenced by a number of factors: Definition of CSR Existing policy and regulatory framework Level of awareness of CSR Structure of policy making (central v. regional and local

responsibilities) Level of institutionalisation of stakeholder engagement Economic/sectoral structure (e.g. predominance of SMEs

or micro-companies; prevalence of stated owned companies; exposure to international trade etc.)

Economic development/impact of the crisis

Horizontal ‘content’ priorities in most Member States (1)

Awareness raising aimed at consumers and businesses – through websites, campaigns and awards

Support for SMEs to develop CSR approaches – through guidance, project funding, advisory services

Alignment with international standards - e.g. through national interpretation and guidance on Global Standards

Sustainable public procurement – through policies, guidance and good practice learning

Horizontal ‘content’ priorities in most Member States (2)

Initiatives on reporting and disclosure – legislative or voluntary

Responsible supply chain management (in light of recent events, but mainly in countries with significant exposure to globalisation) – usually in line with international standards

CSR in education and training – development of curricula, particularly for managers

CSR actions to help tackle climate change CSR in the field of social policy – e.g. actions to

support the integration of disadvantaged groups such as young people

National priority setting: some examples

Italy:Focus on national and regional

levelIncreasing culture of CSR among

citizens, businesses and wider community; supporting

enterprises in adopting CSR principles and enhancing market

reward for CSR; transparency and reporting; promoting CSR

through international instruments

Germany:Awareness raising and

capacity building particularly in SMEs; CSR award and other dissemination activities; CSR

in education, training and science; CSR in

international/development policy context; CSR in meeting

broader societal challenges; CSR friendly environment

Bulgaria:Awareness raising; capacity building; institutional co-

ordination; reporting; environmental

initiatives

Vertical ‘content’ priorities of a more limited number of Member States

Sectoral approaches to CSR (e.g. mining) and sectoral risk analysis

Socially responsible investment Financial obligation and anti-corruption measures

Common ‘process’ themes: Engaging with NGOs and other stakeholders

Capacity building and involvement of NGOs Important role of NGOs in verification and

monitoring How to respect and ensure independence of NGOs

while engaging them in these processes? How to balance contact with institutionalised

stakeholders with contact with grassroots Organisation of ongoing engagement

Common ‘process’ themes: Balance between government driven and business owned CSR approaches

Many countries emphasise importance of CSR being business owned

Role of government in fostering CSR development (though policy, guidance or regulation)

Making the business case for CSR to be at the heart of competitiveness policy (rather than ‘charity’ or ‘add on’) – in some countries CSR portfolio moved from Employment to Competitiveness/Business Departments

Harnessing ‘business to business support’

Common ‘process’ themes: Broader awareness raising

Raising awareness of the importance and added value of CSR (particularly in countries where CSR priorities are emerging more recently)

‘Making the business case’ ‘Raising demand’ for CSR among customers

Draft structure of Compendium

Introduction Developments in CSR policy in the EU National CSR priorities Alignment with Global CSR Approaches Human Rights and Responsible Supply Chain Management Sustainable Public Procurement Socially Responsible Investment Financial Obligation and Anti-corruption CSR Reporting and Disclosure CSR in SMEs CSR approaches to Tackling Climate Change and Environmental

Sustainability Social Policies CSR in Education and Training Consumer Awareness and Responsible Business Promotion Annex with country by country overview of key initiatives under these

headings

Questions?

Tina.weber@ghkint.com