Corporate Social Responsibility
In today’s socially conscious world, consumers increasingly associate their purchases with values. BYD’s commitment to environmental sustainability, ethical labour practices, and community engagement resonates with eco-conscious buyers, fostering trust and brand loyalty. This translates to positive word-of-mouth, enhanced brand image, and ultimately, increased sales. BYD received a range of accolades for its CSR efforts such as such as the Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UN Powering the Future We Want Energy Grant, and featuring on Fortune magazine’s “Companies that Change the World” list.[1] CSR Organization of BYD BYD Supporting Local Communities BYD Charity Foundation donated a total of RMB240 million to charities in 2022 alone The company contributed over RMB59.1 million worth of epidemic prevention and control fundings and supplies in 2022 and donated RMB5 million to Luding County, Sichuan Province for emergency relief and post-disaste Waste Reduction and Recycling by BYD The electric automaker has gradually replaced the cartons, wooden packaging boxes and iron frames used in the transportation of battery pack products with the recyclable blister box with a service life cycle of more than 3 years and an annual recycling cycle of over 900 times, greatly reducing resource consumption Carbon Emissions by BYD In 2022, BYD was the first manufacturer in the world suspended the production of fuel-engine vehicle and build the first zero-carbon headquarters of automobile brand in China[2] The EV giant has established a green traffic system by popularizing EVs to control pollution and launching the SkyShuttle to relieve traffic jam The company claims that until October 11, 2022, it has avoided the emission of 14,672,117,797 kg of carbon.[3] BYD and Sustainable Sourcing Suppliers are required to ensure that they do not use any form of forced labour, bonded labour (including debt mortgage) or indentured labour. They shall not use child labour…
Nvidia Supporting Local Communities NVIDIA employees joined the company in contributing more than USD22 million and 16,500 volunteer hours to charitable causes in fiscal year 2022.[1] The company and its employees supported 5,700 nonprofits in 50+ countries around the world. Nearly 40% of employees participated in the Foundation’s Inspire 365 efforts during FY22, bringing the unique participation rate since the initiative’s start to 68%. Nvidia and Gender Equality and Minorities As of January 30, 2022, the company’s global workforce was 80% male, 19% female, and 1% not declared and 6% of workforce in the United States was composed of Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino employees.[2] The company scored 100% on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for a seventh consecutive year Energy Consumption by Nvidia By the end of the fiscal year ending January 31, 2025, the company plans to purchase or generate enough renewable energy to match 100% of its global electricity usage for its offices and data centres Waste Reduction and Recycling by Nvidia The company diverted 56% of FY22 waste from landfill, a 12 percentage point decrease from the previous year. Bulk carton packaging uses corrugate material that is 100% recycled fibres, and the cartons maintain an overall recyclability rate of 100% Consumer packaging uses 70% recycled fibres and maintains a recyclability rate above 75%. Overall recyclability rate for all packaging is 93% Nvidia other CSR Initiatives and Charitable Donations The company donated more than USD4.6 million to date for humanitarian relief to Ukraine and its refugees.[3] Nvidia Corporation Report contains a full analysis of Nvidia corporate social responsibility including Nvidia CSR issues. The report illustrates the application of the major analytical strategic frameworks in business studies such as SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, Value Chain analysis, Ansoff…
Marriott Supporting Local Communities In 2022 alone, employees contributed over 1.6 million volunteer hours across the globe, focusing on environmental and social issues to positively impact their communities. The company aims to locally source 50% of produce by year-end 2025 Marriott Educating and Empowering Workers In 2022, 78% of all associates* completed career- or skillsrelated training. The largest hotel chain in the world has been listed as Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® Great Place to Work® in 2022 Marriott and Gender Equality and Minorities A majority of Marriott’s Board are minorities or women Listed as one of 50 Best Companies for Latinas to Work for in the U.S., LATINA Style 2022 The company aims to increase representation of people of colour in U.S. executive positions to 25% by year-end 2025. 47% of Marriott’s global executives (vice president level and above) are women 22% of Marriott’s U.S. executives (vice president level and above) are people of colour Energy Consumption by Marriott In 2022, numerous Marriott-managed hotels across the globe implemented energy efficiency projects, saving approximately 45,000 MWhs of energy. 9% Global Reduction in Energy Consumption per Square Meter of Conditioned Space from 2016 Baseline 1% of electricity consumption sourced from renewable energy in 2022 Water Consumption by Marriott The company aims to reduce water consumption per occupied room by 15% from a 2016 baseline by year-end 2025 3% Global Reduction in Water Consumption per Occupied Room from 2016 Baseline Waste Reduction and Recycling by Marriott The hotel chain aims to reduce waste-to-landfill by 45% and food waste by 50% from a 2016 baseline by year-end 2025 In Thailand, 27 Marriott hotels donated over 33,000 kg (72,000 lbs.) of food and surplus food to Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) throughout 2022. Carbon Emissions by…
Netflix CSR Programs and Initiatives Netflix Supporting Local Communities The entertainment services provider maintains employee giving program that provides a 2:1 match on employee donations. As part of the program the company and employees donated USD34 million to over 5,000 charities worldwide Netflix and Gender Equality and Minorities 49,6% of Netflix employees are women 50% of US workforce are from historically excluded ethnic and/or racial backgrounds Netflix Fund for Creative Equity helps to create opportunities within the entertainment industry for minorities and historically under-represented groups Figure 1 Global Gender Identities at Netflix for 2022 Energy Consumption by Netflix In 2022 the company completed energy efficiency audits at its major facilities across North America The entertainment services provider uses 100% renewable electricity in all offices and productions it directly manages Carbon Emissions by Netflix Netflix is committed to reduce carbon emission by 50% by 2030 compared to 2019 baseline The entertainment services provider uses clean technology on over 60% of productions it manages directly In 2022 about 50% of the productions Netflix managed incorporated clean mobile power solutions such as grid tie-ins, mobile batteries, battery-hybrid generators, and hydrogen power units, resulting in fuel reductions that lowered emissions by 1,179 MTCO2e The company uses at least one electric vehicle (EV) on screen on all of its directly-managed productions The streaming service supports creators who choose to incorporate sustainability into their storytelling Figure 2 Netflix carbon footpring by business activity in 2022 Netflix and Sustainable Sourcing The company spent about USD 700 million with underrepresented suppliers in 2022 Governance Practices Netflix is beginning a phased declassification of its board in 2023. Starting from 2025 each board member will stand for annual elections The company is eliminating supermajority voting provisions in its articles of incorporation and bylaws The streaming…
Apple corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs and initiatives are led by Lisa Jackson, Vice President for Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook. More than 1 million people work in Apple supplier facilities and as such, the company’s operations have considerable implications on the society. It has to be noted that “Steve Jobs wasn’t known for philanthropy. Some wondered if he made anonymous donations to charity, some criticized him for his lack of public giving, while others defended him”[1]. However, with Tim Cook assuming Apple leadership in 2011, the focus on CSR aspect of the business has increased to a considerable extent. Tim Cook is a member of Paulson Institute’s CEO Council for Sustainable Urbanization, working with other CEOs of top Chinese and Western companies to advance sustainability in China. Apple Supporting Local Communities In Oregon, USA, Apple partners with Bluestone Natural Farms to transform compostable materials generated onsite into rich organic material for use on the farm. The tech giant launched a 100-kilowatt rooftop solar project at an educational premise for disadvantaged children in Philippines. The company added 50-kilowatt solar power system and a 260-kilowatt-hour battery to supply clean electricity to off-grid fishing community in Thailand. Apple Educating and Empowering Workers The multinational technology company provided training courses to about 4 million people since 2008. The tech giant has competitive employee benefits practices. For example, expectant mothers can take up to four weeks before a delivery and up to 14 weeks after a birth, while fathers and other non-birth parents are eligible for up to six weeks of parental leave. Apple suppliers paid back USD 32.2 million recruitment fees to their 36,599 employees since 2008. The iPhone maker taught employees organized 185,000 hours of inclusion and diversity training in 2021[2] The company organized 80,000 hours of management…
Starbucks CSR programs and initiatives are led by Michael Kobori, chief sustainability officer for the world’s largest coffeehouse chain. CSR initiatives for Starbucks cover wide range of business aspects and employee relationships such as supporting local communities, educating and empowering workers, gender equality and minorities, energy and water consumption, waste reduction etc. CSR Programs and Initiatives Starbucks Supporting Local Communities Starbucks Community Store program aims to assist local non-profit organizations in their efforts to provide education and training to achieve poverty eradication for the young segment of population. The company plans to open 100 Community Stores by the end of 2025. Starbucks has cooperated with non-profit organizations, community leaders and organizational stakeholders to provide more than 520,000 hours of volunteering service around the globe.[1] The global coffeehouse chain runs FoodShare food donation program in all company operated stores in US and Canada. 10.4 million and 1.2 million meals were donated in US and Canada respectively in FY21. Starbucks Educating and Empowering Workers Starbucks College Achievement Plan is an education program that allows employees to obtain online degrees from Arizona State University. Approximately 2500 employees earned their degrees via this program in FY21 alone It has been noted that “at the height of the global financial crisis, when other companies were cutting HR costs wherever they could, Starbucks invested in staff training, including coffee tastings and courses that ultimately qualified for credit at higher education institutions”[2] In FY21 the company oversaw more than 136000 course enrolments in Starbucks Coffee Academy and more than 55,000 course completions since launch. Starbucks and Gender Equality and Minorities At present about 40% of Starbucks US employees are minorities and 65% are women. Among vice presidents, 48% are women and 15% are minorities. The global coffeehouse chain aims to achieve at least 30% BIPOC…
IKEA Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts are led by Chief Sustainability Officer, Lena Pripp-Kovac. Furthermore, retail managers at every country are also Corporate Sustainability Officers (CSO). The home improvement and furnishing chain started to research CSR reports under the title People & Planet Positive starting from 2012. IKEA CSR efforts and activities comprise supporting local communities, educating and empowering workers and addressing the issues of gender equality and minorities within the company. Moreover, the global furniture retailer works to reduce its energy consumption and derive energy from alternative sources. Sustainable sourcing represents an additional CSR issue that IKEA aims to address within the scope of its operations. CSR Programs and Initiatives IKEA Supporting Local Communities IKEA Group operates 422 stores in 50 markets around the world.[1] The home improvement and furnishing chain aims to cause positive impact on local communities, where its stores are located. Packing event organized by all IKEA stores in Sweden involved customers and representatives from Save the Children to prepare more than 37,000 welcome backpacks filled with toys and other products for children In UK, IKEA has planted one million trees in communities across the country In Australia, IKEA Perth and IKEA Adelaide employees contribute to the improvement of the environment in which children live and develop. IKEA Educating and Empowering Workers Starting from January 2015, IKEA has introduced a new hourly wage structure that concentrates on the needs of its employees, rather than market standards. The furniture retailer has launched My Learning online system that provides employees at all levels access to face-t-face and digital learning solutions. Employee Health and Safety at IKEA In 2021, the furniture retailer introduced a common solution for reporting incidents and accidents that’s easily accessible for all co-workers The number of accidents at IKEA was reduced by…
McDonald’s CSR is an interesting topic due to the size and scope of the operations of the company. The fast food giant had formulated its 2020 Aspirational Goals that explain the measures of sustainable sourcing of foods and packaging, providing balanced choices to customers, developing and operating environmentally efficient McDonald’s restaurants and supporting local communities to be initiated by the company. By the end of 2020 the fast food giant achieved or substantially achieved the majority of its aspirational goals. The company releases The Good Business Report annually and it includes the details of McDonalds CSR programs and initiatives engaged by the company. McDonald’s Supporting Local Communities McDonald’s claims to be improving the lives of children and their families via the support of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) and other organizations. According to McDonald’s this support addresses the needs such as education and physical activity The company is also proud to support the network of over 260 local chapters of RMHC spanning over 60 countries and regions that creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. In 2020, the fast food chain announced a five-year, USD10390 million commitment to RMHC. McDonald’s Educating and Empowering Workers McDonald’s Hamburger University, founded in 1961, comprises 8 campuses around the world and provides training for McDonald’s Franchisees, managers and employees In Europe, McDonald’s and participating Franchisees have pledged to offer 45,000 apprenticeships by 2025[1] Labour and Human Rights at McDonald’s The company requires its suppliers to adhere to the Supplier Code of Conduct. The Code clarifies requirements of McDonald’s about issues related to Human Rights, Environmental Management, Workplace Environment and Business Integrity In 2018, the fast food chain introduced McDonald’s Human Rights Policy, which outlines its commitment to respect its people and their…
Since Amazon went public in 1997, the e-commerce giant has been repeatedly criticized for its lack of commitment on corporate social responsibility aspect of the business. Moreover, Amazon’s first sustainability executive Kara Hartnett Hurst was appointed only in August 2014 , a stark proof that CSR aspect of the business has not been paid due attention to for a long period of time. CSR Programs and Initiatives Amazon Supporting Local Communities In 2020, the e-commerce giant created the Amazon Relief Fund, with a USD25 million initial contribution, focused on supporting its independent delivery service partners and other stakeholders to deal with the negative impact of coronavirus developments on the business. Amazon’s Device Donation Program facilitates the donation of electronic devices and gift cards to schools located near Amazon fulfilment centres throughout the US The company hosts ‘Girls Who Code’ events occasionally to help get more girls interested in coding The e-commerce giant supports local and national nonprofits with cash and product donations. Amazon Educating and Empowering Workers Amazon Career Choice Program pre-pays 95% of tuition for employees to take courses for in-demand fields, such as airplane mechanic or nursing, regardless of whether the skills are relevant to a career at Amazon. Up to date the program has been attended by more than 10000 employees worldwide. Amazon Virtual Contact Centre, allows Amazon’s customer service employees to work from home. The program “Pay to Quit” offers USD 5000 to warehouse workers who quit to encourage employees to take a moment and think about what they really want.[1] Upskilling 2025 is USD 1,2 billion investment project to provide free skills training to U.S. employees. Employee Health and Safety at Amazon Amazon employs 6200 safety professionals worldwide In 2020 due to the risk of COVID-19 coronavirus, the company recommended all of global…
Square CSR programs and initiatives mainly focus on four key priority areas – Climate Action, Social Impact, Employees and Culture, and Corporate Governance. These initiatives are led by Neil Jorgensen, Global Environmental, Social, and Governance Lead at Square. Square Supporting Local Communities Square has invested USD 100 million in minority and underserved communities The financial unicorn assists some local communities in the US to preserve their local culture and deal with other most pressing issues. In many offices there are active volunteer communities, referred to volunteams that undertake various projects to support local communities Square and Gender Equality and Minorities Square invests in employee resource groups such as Black Squares Association, LatinX Community, LGBTQ group, and others in order to create an inclusive environment The majority 54,1% of US employees of The fintech are white people, as illustrated in Figure 1 below: Figure 1 Race and ethnicity of Square Inc. employees in US[1] Energy Consumption by Square Square launched Bitcoin Clean Energy Investment Initiative, USD 10 million investment to help accelerate renewable energy adoption in bitcoin mining. The payments company is planning to evaluate and explore clean energy options, working closely with its key provider partners. Carbon Emissions by Square In 2020 the total carbon footprint for Square totalled to 247,900 tCO2e. The Figure 2 below illustrates the share of carbon emissions by operations: Figure 2 Square Inc. total carbon emissions in 2020[2] The financial services and digital payments company has aimed to be zero carbon for operations by 2030. Other CSR Initiatives and Charitable Donations by Square Leads Program offered to managers at all levels is designed to develop leadership skills and competencies The finance sector disruptor fully pays parental leave globally, caregiving leave to US employees In UK Square partnered with The Entrepreneurial…