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Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Welcome to the MRF Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) section. This section provides an information
resource on developments in CSR with a particular focus on the mining
sector.
| About CSR |
This section on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is provided
to summarize some of the many developments and activities that are
occurring in this relatively new, still ambiguous, and rapidly evolving
conception of what constitutes corporate obligations and responsibilities.
Information has been selected that is of relevance, or interest,
to corporations involved in the extraction and/or processing of
mineral resources (including minerals, metals and energy resources).
Though, many developments are occurring in other sectors and references
have been made to these where applicable to foster awareness.
Much of the information describing CSR on the page below is sourced
from the European Commission "Green
Paper Promoting a European framework for Corporate Social Responsibility"
(Adobe PDF).
Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) provide an "Introduction
to CSR".
A list of documents that focus specifically on corporate
social responsibility and mining is available.
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| The CSR Concept |
Corporate social responsibility is essentially a concept whereby
companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business
operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a
voluntary basis. This means not only fulfilling legal expectations,
but also going beyond compliance and investing in human capital,
the environment and relations with stakeholders.
The development of CSR reflects the growing expectations of the
community and stakeholders of the evolving role of companies in
society and the response of companies to growing environmental,
social and economic pressures. Through voluntary commitment to CSR,
companies are hoping to send a positive signal of their behavior
to their various stakeholders (employees, shareholders, investors,
consumers, regulators and NGOs) and in so doing make an investment
in their future and help to increase profitability.
Sir Robert Wilson, Executive Director, Rio Tinto discusses CSR
in the context of the mineral industry, and specifically his company
Rio Tinto, in a recent speech, "Corporation
Social Responsibility: Putting the Words into Action",
to the RIIA-MMSD
Conference on Corporate Citizenship, 16th October 2001.
A report, "Changing
Values, Changing Corporate Culture: The Way Forward", prepared
for the International Council on Metals and the Environment (ICME)
provides an overview on how ICME member companies are adapting to
the pressures for greater corporate social responsibility.
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| Driving Forces |
Many driving forces are fostering the evolution of corporate social
responsibility:
- new concerns and expectations from citizens, consumers, public
authorities and investors in the context of globalization and
large scale industrial change;
- social criteria are increasingly influencing the investment
decisions of individuals and institutions both as consumers and
as investors;
- increased concern about the damage caused by economic activity
to the environment;
- transparency of business activities brought about by the media
and modern information and communication technologies.
CSR at present is mainly driven by large or multinational companies
that rely extensively on their public reputation for continued viability.
A paper "Privatizing
Human Rights: the Roles of Government, Civil Society and Corporations"
by Mr. Lorne W. Craner, Assistant Secretary of State for the US
State Department - Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
to the annual Business for Social
Responsibility Conference held in Seattle, Washington on 8 November
2001 outlines US Government views on important processes and the
roles of different actors in the move to CSR. He indicates considerable
support for the application of voluntary initiatives in support
of CSR, emphasizing the use of public-private efforts, codes of
conduct and international standards, though noting that government
can not dictate what should be done.
CSR considerations are not only confined to the developed world,
with significant support evident in developing countries as indicated
by the results of a survey conducted in India. The report 'Altered
States: The 2001 State of Corporate Responsibility in India Poll'
is available for download as an Adobe PDF.
One perspective on future directions for the development of CSR
is provided in "What
Should We Really Expect from Big Business?", by Simon Zadek
from Global Thinking, Winter 2001.
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| Views on CSR |
Agreement is not universal that a move towards Corporate Social Responsibility
is suitable or necessary. A range of different perspectives both supporting
and opposing CSR are presented in Views.
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| Acknowledgments
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A significant portion of the information referred to in the section
on CSR has been identified through the "Corporate Social Responsibility
and Standards Forum" managed by the Canadian Office of Consumer
Affairs. Information on the forum and how to join is available from
the Background page.
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