corporate social responsibility foreign and commonwealth office nick baker [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
Corporate Social ResponsibilityCorporate Social Responsibility
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Nick Baker
What are we trying to achieve?
• Improve business standards internationally on key issues in high impact sectors
Why?• Business is an essential partner in driving sustainable
development, tackling climate change and in some cases preventing/resolving conflict, 3 of the government’s international strategic priorities.
• Ensure that UK companies are competing on a level playing field with other companies
Our top ten aims
• Strong international voluntary principles and codes of conduct
• Consensus behind the business case for CSR• Reduced business complicity in human rights abuses• The eradication of international bribery, corruption
and extortion• Reduced emissions• Sustainable production and consumption• Implementation of the ILO’s core labour standards• Sustainably managed forests• Revenues that do not fuel conflict • Sustainable international tourism
Where does the FCO add value?
• World-wide network of diplomatic posts
• We work closely with business, civil society and trade unions internationally
• Both directly and through UKTI we provide extensive support to UK companies abroad.
• We can use our relationship with other governments to help improve the business environment abroad
Multi-stakeholder initiatives and certification schemes
• The UN Global Compact
• The OECD Guidelines for multi-national enterprises
• The Voluntary Principles for Security and Human Rights
• Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
• Kimberley Process
How else can we achieve this?
• Promoting the business case for CSR• Diversifying our business and union contacts• Political Messages• Engaging other government departments, business
organisations and trade unions, emerging economy governments and companies
• Media and Promotional Activities• Project Funding• Chevening Fellowships• Lead by example• Export Credit Guarantees• Business Awards and "badge" schemes
What are the high impact sectors?
Extractives (oil,
gas and mining)
Finance
Construction Travel/tourism
Utilities Defence
Pharmaceuticals Retail
Our Priority Countries
• The largest emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India and China
• Other large emerging economies: Nigeria, Indonesia Thailand, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, Philippines, Turkey
• Countries where sustainable development issues are critical: Vietnam, Malaysia, Burma, Cameroon, Angola, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador.
• Countries where large multi-nationals have their headquarters: G8
Nick Baker
Business Team
Sustainable Development and Business Group
Global and Economic Issues Directorate
Corporate Social Responsibility: [email protected]