"Sustainability is about ensuring that our choices and actions are not only economical
but also environmentally and socially responsible. Ensuring that we meet our needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs is the essence of sustainable development."
The Brundtland Commission definition of sustainable development, World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) Our Common Future.
Sustainability is understood as the enterprise's contribution to a sustainable development of the society (and therefore to the sustainability of the company itself), which means a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In this respect, sustainability is closely linked to the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as defined in ISO 26000 (Committee Draft, Dec 08):
It is the responsibility of an organization for the impacts of its decisions and activities on society and the environment, through transparent and ethical behaviour that
- contributes to sustainable development, health and the welfare of society
- takes into account the expectations of stakeholders
- is in compliance with applicable law and consistent with international norms of
behaviour
- is integrated throughout the organization and practiced in its relationships
Within this context IMC has developed business development services that enhance the company towards sustainable development.
These services are developed to cover the environmental, social and economical aspect of sustainability.
IMC's Sustainable Development Services: |
|
- CSR Diagnostic
- Social Audit
- Code of Conduct
- Sustainability Strategy
- Sustainability Reporting
- Health & Safety at the Work Place
- Environmental &Cleaner Production Survey
- Environmental & Cleaner Production Assessment
- SA 8000 Assessment
- SA 8000 preparation
- SA 8000 Certification
- Growth Sustainable Business (GSB)
- Corporate Governance (Assessment & Design)
- Corporate Governance (Implementation)
|
|
| |
| Impact of CSR on Companies |
| |
- BetterWork Conditions
- Stronger financial performance and profitability
- Improved accountability to and assessments from the investment community
- New Employees and labor are attracted to work in companies implementing CSR
- Enhanced employee commitment and enhanced staff loyalty
- Improved reputation and branding
- Cost savings
|
| |
|
Over the last year, several companies received a number of CSR services. Six companies
received a "CSR Diagnostic" service by a well recognized international consultancy firm.The
outcome of this assignment has been translated into individual action plans for implementation.
Another 15 companies have participated in "SA 8000" Assessment phase by the SA 8000
standard owner (Social Accountability International) with the purpose of giving individual
reports reflecting the social performance status of each company. As a result, the best
performing companies have been selected and receive nowTechnical Assistance and preparation
for certification as SA 8000 compliant. "Sustainability Reporting" service was also given to
Four companies to help them report on their sustainability activities and initiatives. Moreover,
IMC clients received (30) environmental services within the context of CSR and sustainability.
CSR is the Business Contribution to Sustainable Development
CSR is the continuing commitment by Business to behave ethically and contribute to economic
development while improving the quality of life of the workforce as well of the local community
and society at large. CSR's three dimensions: Economic, environmental and social aspects that
relate to business operations. |
CSR is no longer a trend just among large multinational companies operating in developed
countries. More and more local companies are seeing the value of committing to
responsible business practices, believing that economic growth is sustainable only if
environmentally and socially sound and that it helps improve the quality of life in our
country
Each company differs in how it implements Corporate Social Responsibiliy..The differences
depend on such factors as the company's size, sector, culture and the commitment of
its leadership. Some companies focus on a single area, like improving the work conditions
and quality of life of their workers, or the environment or community economic
development, while others aim to integrate a CSR vision into all aspects of their
operations.
Growing Sustainable Business (GSB)
The newly launched Growing Sustainable Business (GSB) project embodies IMC and UNDP's Egypt strong conviction that the private sector is a great resource to achieve the m illennium development goals.The overall goal of the project is to broker and facilitate linkages between large businesses, potential investors and local partners, to strengthen and expand the local SME sector and facilitate the development of new products and services which address the needs of the poorTo promote a market that is inclusive of the poor as producers, employees and consumers.
GSB's Value Proposition
GSB helps address business challenges at relevant points in the investment cycle and
reduce the risks and costs associated with making these investments.
Using the GSB approach, IMC and UNDP broker multi-stakeholder Partnerships in developing countries to foster pro-poor investment that:
1- Develops new business models to reach the poor
2- Extends value chains to reach small entrepreneurs
- GSB facilitates enterprise solutions to poverty in advancement of the Millennium
Development Goals
- GSB engages the private sector in strategic partnerships and innovative business models that contribute to core business activities and local economic development
- GSB has established programs in over 15 countries across Asia, Latin America, Africa
and Eastern Europe.There are currently over 50 projects in the GSB global portfolio
distributed among the energy, agriculture, water, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals,
financial services and manufacturing sectors
- GSB has worked with over 75 companies to date, from local small and medium
sized enterprises (SME) to multinationals (MNC) and has facilitated direct investments
ranging from 10,000 USD to 4 million USD
|
