CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 CSR Policies in EU Member States: An Overview of Topics and Instruments Reinhard Steurer Gerald Berger RIMAS - Research Institute for Managing Sustainability Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Orientation 1.Research behind this presentation Activities of RIMAS 2.Sustainable Develpoment: The context of CSR Policies Conceptual and political clarifications 3.The CSR policy field Instruments and topics 4.A closer look at two topics CSR awareness raising & Sustainable Public Procurement 5.Conclusions EU and Member State policies on CSR

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Orientation 1.Research behind this presentation Activities of RIMAS 2.Sustainable Develpoment: The context of CSR Policies Conceptual and political clarifications 3.The CSR policy field Instruments and topics 4.A closer look at two topics CSR awareness raising & Sustainable Public Procurement 5.Conclusions EU and Member State policies on CSR

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Recent projects on SD “European Environment” special issue on SD Strategies in Europe European Sustainable Development Network: ESDN Office (financed by 8 European countries) Recent projects on CSR Policies on CSR in Europe (City of Vienna) Corporate Sustainability and CSR in Western and CEE Europe (Austrian National Bank) Analysis of National Policies on CSR -- for EU CSR High Level Group (DG Employment)

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Orientation 1.Research behind this presentation Activities of RIMAS 2.Sustainable Develpoment: The context of CSR Policies Conceptual and political clarifications 3.The CSR policy field Instruments and topics 4.A closer look at two topics CSR awareness raising & Sustainable Public Procurement 5.Conclusions EU and Member State policies on CSR

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Sustainable Development Corporate Sustainability Environmental dimension Economic dimension Social dimension CSR SRM Societal Concept Management Approach Corporate Concept Management Systems Starting Point of conceptual development Stakeholder Relations Management (SRM) Level of specification SRM EMAS ISO26000 Source: Steurer, R et al (2005), Journal of Business Ethics, 61/3,

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Preliminary conclusions „CSR is a business contribution to SD” (European Commission 2001) Since CSR re-defines state-business and business- society relations, shaping concept and activities also concerns governments and civil society CSR policies are a new „government contribution to SD“ that complements (or compensates for the lack of) traditional social and environmental policies

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Orientation 1.Research behind this presentation Activities of RIMAS 2.Sustainable Develpoment: The context of CSR Policies Conceptual and political clarifications 3.The CSR policy field Instruments and topics 4.A closer look at two topics CSR awareness raising & Sustainable Public Procurement 5.Conclusions EU and Member State policies on CSR

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 CSR policy instruments 1.Informational or endorsing instruments: Campaigns, guidelines, trainings 2.Partnering instruments: Agreements, networks, PPPs, dialogues 3.Financial or economic instruments: Subsidies, grants, prices/awards 4.Legal (mandating) instruments: Laws, regulations, decrees 5.„Hybrid instruments“ Strategies, action plans, platforms, centres Source: Fox T, Ward H, Howard B. 2002; World Bank; /pdf/full/16014IIED.pdf CSR policies study on awareness raising, see r-policies

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Character of policy instruments in general 1.Informational or endorsing instruments: Campaigns, guidelines, trainings 2.Partnering instruments: Agreements, networks, PPPs, dialogues 3.Financial or economic instruments: Subsidies, grants, prices/awards 4.Legal (mandating) instruments: Laws, regulations, decrees 5.„Hybrid instruments“ Strategies, action plans, platforms, centres New governance and “soft-law approach” Regulatory approach

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Character of CSR policy instruments 1.Informational or endorsing instruments: Campaigns, guidelines, trainings 2.Partnering instruments: Agreements, networks, PPPs, dialogues 3.Financial or economic instruments: Subsidies, grants, prices/awards 4.Legal (mandating) instruments: Laws, regulations, decrees 5.„Hybrid instruments“ Strategies, action plans, platforms, centres New governance and “soft-law approach”

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Orientation 1.Research behind this presentation Activities of RIMAS 2.Sustainable Develpoment: The context of CSR Policies Conceptual and political clarifications 3.The CSR policy field Instrument and topics 4.A closer look at two topics CSR awareness raising & Sustainable Public Procurement 5.Conclusions EU and Member State policies on CSR

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Not traditional social and environmental regulations, but  Raise awareness and build capacities for CSR  Increase disclosure, transparency and stakeholder involvement  Foster Socially Responsible Investment  Help develop and apply management/audit tools and practices  Lead by example by adopting SR/SD practices in government bodies, in particular regarding public procurement, reporting and auditing Key topics of CSR policies

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Not traditional social and environmental regulations, but  Raise awareness and build capacities for CSR  Increase disclosure, transparency and stakeholder involvement  Foster Socially Responsible Investment  Help develop and apply management/audit tools and practices  Lead by example by adopting SR/SD practices in government bodies, in particular regarding public procurement, reporting and auditing Topics covered in study for DG Employment

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Orientation 1.Research behind this presentation Activities of RIMAS 2.Sustainable Develpoment: The context of CSR Policies Conceptual and political clarifications 3.The CSR policy field Topics and policy tools 4.A closer look at two topics CSR awareness raising & Sustainable Public Procurement 5.Conclusions EU and Member State policies on CSR

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 CSR awareness raising initiatives in Europe 1.Rationale Increase awareness for CSR among government authorities, businesses and stakeholders 2.Method 24 telephone interviews - 20 EU Member States covered 3 case studies (Sw, NL, Den) 3. Number of initiatives 85

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Overview of CSR awareness raising instruments Education activities, e.g. conferences, seminars, trainings; 17.7% Government-sponsored guidelines; 10.6% Information resources, e.g. website, studies, reports etc.; 10.6% Information/awareness raising campaigns; 9.4% Networks/partnerships/ agreements; 10.6% Multi-stakeholder fora; 4.8% Prices and awards (CSR audits/labels); 8.2% Economic incentives (loans, grants, subsidies); 3.5% Action plans/ programmes/strategy for CSR; 9.4% Institutions: platforms/ centres; 8.2% Others; 7.0% Informational or endorsing instruments Partnering instruments Financial or economic instruments Hybrid tools and others

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Target groups of CSR awareness raising Companies; 40.3% Young people; 1.6% Business/industry sectors; 1.6% Universities/schools; 6.2% Consumers/consumer organizations/general public; 7% Ministries/governmental officials; 7.6% Trade unions/social partners; 8.5% NGOs; 10.1% SMEs; 12.4% Employees; 1.6% Others; 3.1%

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Target groups of CSR awareness raising Companies; 40.3% Consumers/consumer organizations/general public; 7% Ministries/governmental officials; 7.6% Trade unions/social partners; 8.5% NGOs; 10.1% SMEs; 12.4% Few initiatives focus exclusively on SMEs (no prices/awards) --- generally regarded as most important target group

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Target groups of CSR awareness raising Companies; 40.3% Consumers/consumer organizations/general public; 7% Ministries/governmental officials; 7.6% Trade unions/social partners; 8.5% NGOs; 10.1% SMEs; 12.4% Social partners rarely mentioned as target group (even not in networks, multi- stakeholder fora etc.)

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Three case studies on CSR awareness raising Sweden: “Globalt Ansvar” Partnership for global responsibility Government invites companies to join the partnership by adopting the OECD guidelines and the UN Global Compact Sweden: “Globalt Ansvar” Partnership for global responsibility Government invites companies to join the partnership by adopting the OECD guidelines and the UN Global Compact Netherlands: “Knowledge and Information Centre” on CSR since 2004 Disseminate knowledge and good practices Promote stakeholder dialogues Foster partnerships Netherlands: “Knowledge and Information Centre” on CSR since 2004 Disseminate knowledge and good practices Promote stakeholder dialogues Foster partnerships Denmark: “People & Profit” Programme initiated in 2004 Activities: research, training, dissemination of information Goal: enhance competitiveness (foster CSR as a business case) Denmark: “People & Profit” Programme initiated in 2004 Activities: research, training, dissemination of information Goal: enhance competitiveness (foster CSR as a business case)

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Orientation 1.Research behind this presentation Activities of RIMAS 2.Sustainable Develpoment: The context of CSR Policies Conceptual and political clarifications 3.The CSR policy field Topics and policy tools 4.A closer look at two topics CSR awareness raising & Sustainable Public Procurement 5.Conclusions EU and Member State policies on CSR

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Sustainable Public Procurement 1.Rationale By making public procurement sustainable governments provide economic incentives for CSR 2.Method 24 interviews, 7 times (additional) written information, 26 EU Member States covered 3.Number of initiatives 103

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Overview of SPP initiatives Educational activities, e.g. conferences, seminars, trainings; 3.9% Government-sponsored guidelines; 13.6% Information resources, e.g. websites, studies, reports, etc.; 11.7% Information/awareness raising campaigns; 1.9% Networks/partnerships/ agreements; 1.0% Decrees, resolutions; 4.9% Circulars; 4.9% Action plans/ programmes/strategies for CSR; 27.2% Platforms/centres/ institutions; 5.8% Informational instruments Partnering instruments Legal instruments Hybrid instruments Laws; 25.2% 1/3

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 EU Directives* on PP: Status of implementation 19: implemented 2 (Es, Lux): in preparation 1: not implemented 5: status unclear * „Procurement directive“ 2004/18/EC „Utilities directive“ 2004/17/EC

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Overview of SPP initiatives Educational activities, e.g. conferences, seminars, trainings; 3.9% Government-sponsored guidelines; 13.6% Information resources, e.g. websites, studies, reports, etc.; 11.7% Information/awareness raising campaigns; 1.9% Networks/partnerships/ agreements; 1.0% Decrees, resolutions; 4.9% Circulars; 4.9% Action plans/ programmes/strategies for CSR; 27.2% Platforms/centres/ institutions; 5.8% Informational instruments Partnering instruments Legal instruments Hybrid instruments Laws; 25.2% 1/3

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Member States with National Action Plans on SPP/GPP 9: NAP adopted 7: NAP in preparation/ drafted 3: No (draft) NAP 8: Status unclear

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Overview of SPP initiatives Educational activities, e.g. conferences, seminars, trainings; 3.9% Government-sponsored guidelines; 13.6% Information resources, e.g. websites, studies, reports, etc.; 11.7% Information/awareness raising campaigns; 1.9% Networks/partnerships/ agreements; 1.0% Decrees, resolutions; 4.9% Circulars; 4.9% Action plans/ programmes/strategies for CSR; 27.2% Platforms/centres/ institutions; 5.8% Informational instruments Partnering instruments Legal instruments Hybrid instruments Laws; 25.2% Economic/financial instruments are missing, but…

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Overview of SPP initiatives Educational activities, e.g. conferences, seminars, trainings; 3.9% Government-sponsored guidelines; 13.6% Information resources, e.g. websites, studies, reports, etc.; 11.7% Information/awareness raising campaigns; 1.9% Networks/partnerships/ agreements; 1.0% Decrees, resolutions; 4.9% Circulars; 4.9% Action plans/ programmes/strategies for CSR; 27.2% Platforms/centres/ institutions; 5.8% Informational instruments Partnering instruments Legal instruments Hybrid instruments Laws; 25.2% Indirectly: All SPP initiatives foster CSR by providing economic/ financial incentives

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Target groups of SPP initiatives Public sector in general; 66.0% Business; 10.7% Regional and/or local level; 6.8% National/federal level; 19.4% not identified; 8.7% Others; 1.9% „Direct“ target group: 92.2% public sector „Indirect“ target group 100% businesses „Direct“ target group: 92.2% public sector „Indirect“ target group 100% businesses

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Orientation 1.Research behind this presentation Activities of RIMAS 2.Sustainable Develpoment: The context of CSR Policies Conceptual and political clarifications 3.The CSR policy field Topics and policy tools 4.A closer look at two topics CSR awareness raising & Sustainable Public Procurement 5.Conclusions EU and Member State policies on CSR

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 Conclusions on CSR policies in Europe 1.CSR policies are different to traditional policy fields because they rely more on new governance and soft-law 2.CSR policies can be pursued proactively or passively, depending on political ideologies and interests (change of course by the European Commission in 2005/2006!) 3.CSR policies complement traditional policies, i.e. they cannot replace social, environmental or trade regulations completely

CSR Policies in EU Member States The Role of Government in SR, 3 Nov 2007 THANK YOU! Reinhard Steurer Gerald Berger RIMAS – Research Institute for Managing Sustainability Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration Vienna, Austria