–What Should CSR Really Look Like?

–Is CSR appropriate answer to today's challenges?

Pierre Echard

Director, CSR Europe network of

National Partner Organisations

International Conference – “CSR in the EU - 10: expectations vs. reality”

Is CSR appropriate answer to today's challenges?

March 2000 – Lisbon Summit: European Heads of State appeal to business for greater social responsibility:

CSR is part of the EU strategy for 2010: “To make Europe “the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion by 2010”

10 years CSR developments in Europe

EU

lead

ers

hip

Bu

sin

ess lead

ers

hip

20102000 2005

Lisbon Summit I

Lisbon Summit II

Creation CSR

Europe

1st European Business

Convention on CSR

Launch of European Marketplace & Roadmap for

competitive and sustainable enterprise

1st EU Communicatio

n 2002

EU Multi-stakeholder

Forum

European Business

Campaign on CSR

Business Roadmap

2nd EU Communicatio

n 2006

Delors Appeal

1995

European Alliance on CSR

EABIS-2003

The European Roadmap towards a sustainable and competitive enterprise: Reclaiming the CSR agenda

“The Commission explicitly recognised that voluntary business initiatives, in the form of corporate social responsibility [CSR] practices, can play a key role in contributing to sustainable development while enhancing Europe’s innovative potential and competitiveness…

The Commission therefore welcomes CSR Europe’s courage and engagement and looks forward to a fruitful partnership for the future.”

José Manuel Barroso President of the European Commission

4 March 2005

EU CSR Communication 2006: To make Europe a Pole of Excellence on CSR

EU Communication on CSR – 22 March 2006

• Strengthen partnerships with all stakeholders, and further promote the voluntary nature of CSR innovation and practice

• European Alliance on CSR: EU commits to ensure a more business-friendly environment in Europe if companies commit to CSR.

• Integrate the promotion of CSR into EU policy (Trade, Development, Research etc…)

Priority areas of the European agenda

1. Innovation & Entrepreneurship (+Help SMEs o flourish & grow*)

2. Skills/competence building/employability

3. Equal opportunities & diversity

4. Improving working condition also in coopereation with supply chain*

5. Health & safety**

6. Environmental protection

7. CSR in the mainstream of business (+ focus on the supply chain*)

8. Pro-active dialogue & engagement with all relevant stakeholders

9. Leadership & governance

10.Communication & transparency (+ making non-financial performancemore understandable and beter integrated with financial performance*)

11.B2B cooperation & alliances

12.Operate responsibly outside the EU borders*

* Highlighted specifically in the Alliance ** Only in Roadmap

What Should CSR Really Look Like?

“CSR is a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis.”

European Commission, Green Paper July 2001

CSR Europe Members

CSR Europe’s National Partners

Sharing European Practical SolutionsCSR Marketplace

Over 500 CSR case studies within key CSR areas:

What solutions do companies implement?

Access to Electricity

Hybrid Systems

Work Life Effectiveness Programme

Ethical Sourcing

Sustainable Procurement

Supplier Diversity

Preventing discrimination

Improved Health For Roma Women

What solutions do companies implement?

EMS Communication

The Danone Way

Business in deprived areas

The Safety Matrix

Fighting corruption - Transparency Intl.

Integrated Reporting

PCs for Schools

Thank You

For more information: pe@csreurope.org