"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):
Sustainable Development is the responsibility of an organization for the impacts of its decisions and activities on society and the environment, through transparent and ethical behavior 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 behavior
- 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: |
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- 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 preparation
- SA 8000 Certification
- Growth Sustainable Business (GSB)
- Corporate Governance (Assessment & Design)
- Corporate Governance (Implementation)
- BSCI
- SEDEX
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| Impact of CSR on Companies |
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- 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
- Enhancing competitiveness locally and internationally
- Innovation and learning
- More credible and respectable image, reflecting positively on the community
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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.
CSR is the Business Contribution to Sustainable Development. Practically, CSR is the continuous 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 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 Egypt.
Each company differs in how it implements Corporate Social Responsibility. Those 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 and lay down an institutional framework.
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