Business and stakeholders – moving towards even closer integrated cooperation? Experiences from the business response to the European CSR Agenda Ben Davies Director, Membership Services CSR Europe

CSR Europe Members 2006 Corporate Members

Who are we? CSR Europe National Partners

What is the business contribution to the EU Agenda on CSR? EU leadership Business leadership Lisbon Summit I Lisbon Summit II Creation CSR Europe 1st European Business Convention on CSR Launch of European CSR Marketplace series 1 st EU Communication 2002 EU Multi-stakeholder Forum European Business Campaign on CSR Roadmap for competitive and sustainable enterprise 2 nd EU Communication 2006 Delors Appeal 1995 European Alliance on CSR EABIS-2003 ‘05‘06 ’07

Brief overview of EU Agenda on CSR 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”

European Multi-Stakeholder Forum Brief overview of EU Agenda on CSR Mission: « foster CSR through innovation, transparency and convergene of CSR practices » Objectives: Improving knowledge (btw. CSR and SD) Explore opportunity for establishing common guiding principles Roundtables on: Improve knowledge & exchange best practices Foster CSR among SME’s Diversity, Convergence, Transparency of CSR practices Development aspects of CSR

European Roadmap for a competitive and sustainable enterprise A Vision of Businesses Towards a European enterprise built on short and long- term value creation, stakeholder engagement, new skills and innovation in every compartment of business activity Ten Commitments A Business Appeal To EU, National Governments and other key stakeholders Innovation & entrepreneurship Skills & competence building Equal opportunities & diversity Health & safety Environmental protection Mainstream CSR Stakeholder engagement Leadership & governance Communication & transparency B2B cooperation & alliances

EU Communication on CSR – 22 March 2006 The EU Alliance on CSR is at the heart of the EU Strategy on Growth & Jobs, CSR: voluntary action, innovation and stakeholder engagement EU commits to ensure a more business-friendly environment in Europe if companies commit to CSR. EU commits to integrate the promotion of CSR into EU policy (Trade, Development, Research etc…)

European Alliance on CSR: a renewed opportunity for collaboration A renewed opportunity for key stakeholders to collaborate: CSR Europe, UNICE, UEAPME are each recognising the importance of engaging behind the movement of the Alliance, in a collaborative manner and together with key stakeholders Over 125 companies have already committed to engage behind the Alliance, via CSR Europe and its National Partner Organisations.

CSR Marketplace: Sharing European Practical Solutions European Alliance: How is the business community engaging? –Annual event brining together hundreds of CSR practitionners to share, learn from eachother and network –Online networking platform with over 500 Practical CSR Solutions, online communities and discussion forums for members

What solutions do companies implement? Access to Electricity Hybrid Systems Work Life Effectiveness Programme Ethical Sourcing Sustainable Procurement Supplier Diversity Access for disabled people to labour markets 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

European Alliance on CSR: how is the business community engaging? European Cartography on CSR Based on 545 business solutions & 141 networking activities Provides an overview of gaps and areas of excellence throughout EU –53% solutions are linked to change in management systems and 46% solutions are based on stakeholder involvement. –45% of business innovations yielded direct bottom line benefits to business. –In 1 out of 3 solutions, the constraints are largely internal and/or managerial

European Alliance on CSR: how is the business community engaging? Coalitions for Cooperation – CSR Laboratories Business and stakeholders – joint action Exploring collaborative action for companies with stakeholders to deal with major socio-economic challenges in Europe and globally CSR Europe board is currently reviewing over 30 proposals Roll out in coming months throughout Europe

THANK YOU Ben Davies