Business and climate
change – An MNE
Guidelines perspective
Céline Kauffmann and Cristina Tébar Less
OECD CONFERENCE ON CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
15 June 2009, OECD Conference Centre, Paris, France
Introduction
• Joint EPOC & Investment Committee
project on “Engaging the private sector in
support of a low-carbon future” => aims to
identify good practice in the design and use of public &
corporate policies to steer private investment to lowcarbon outcomes.
• Initial research by secretariat to start
discussions and obtain experts’ input => a
revised version based on your comments and additional
consultations will be submitted for discussion in the 2
committees. Further joint events & consultations will
follow.
Approach
• Focus on corporate practices.
• Draws on the MNE Guidelines.
• Highlights 3 areas:
– 1st step in a company’s strategy to address
climate change: measuring, reporting and
verifying emissions
– Towards a pro-active attitude: making
commitments to lower emissions
– The 3rd pillar in the fight against CC (with
governments and companies): engaging
consumers
Measuring, reporting and
verifying emissions
• The Guidelines encourage companies to
« apply high quality standards for
disclosure, accounting and audit ».
• What, Where and How?
– Mandatory vs. voluntary reporting?
– Integrating financial and non-financial information?
– Scope? Direct & indirect emissions, current & future,
corporate vs. product level, corporate strategy, risks &
opportunities.
– According to which accounting & reporting standards?
Making commitments
• The Guidelines recommend that
companies establish « measurable
objectives for improved environmental
performance »
• How to manage risks in the long-run?
– What quantitative GHG emission reduction targets?
Internal strategies vs. offsetting? Managing the supply
chain.
– Implementing: what corporate governance? How to
engage employees? How to ensure the business
case?
Engaging consumers
• The Guidelines recommend that
« enterprises promote higher levels of
awareness among consumers » and
« provide accurate and clear information »
• How best to engage consumers?
– Information on product carbon footprint
– Education campaigns
– Offering low carbon goods and services
 Who does what? (gvts/companies/consumer assoc)
Key
Issues  How to ensure readability and credibility of
information, deal with conflict across priorities?
Questions for future
consideration
• Identify trends, key issues and « good » &
innovative corporate practices across OECD
and major non-OECD countries towards
low-carbon economy.
• Discuss additional areas where corporate
practices in support of low-carbon economy
are developing: reducing emissions in the
supply chain, scope of business
engagement in the development of CC
policies…
Thank you!
Contact:
celine.kauffmann@oecd.org