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Millions of people across the world are adopting an increasingly environmentally aware approach to living. From reducing their consumption of single-use plastic to swapping their regular vehicles to hybrids and electric models; many people have taken conscious steps to help to heal the damage that has been caused to the environment. This increased interest in the environment is partly due to environmental activists raising awareness of the crisis facing the planet. Shocking images of the ocean resembling a ‘plastic soup’ and the plight of wildlife suffering as a result of human destruction have served as stark reminders of the problems faced by the planet, and the sheer scale of the issue. Inevitably, where the public mood goes, the business world soon follows. To stay relevant and to continue to appeal to their customers, corporations have had to sit up and take note of this shift in attitude from consumers. For many businesses, this has led to them making changes to their company to reflect the public attitude. Many businesses have also increased promotion of their environmental achievements.

More Than Just a Statement

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) statements have appeared on the websites of companies across the world in the past few years. This is likely to be a direct response to the heightened awareness surrounding the environment. But what exactly is a CSR statement? Well, corporate social responsibility refers to a company taking responsibility for the impact that their business has on the environment, the community that it operates in, and ultimately, society as a whole. The role of the CSR is to ensure that a company’s contribution to the wider world is more positive than negative. Essentially, the CSR states a company’s corporate, environmental, and ethical standards.  The presence of a CSR statement should mean good news for the environment, the local community, and society as a whole. But, the big question is, does having a CSR actually work, or is it merely lip service? Is the statement displayed on the website merely the equivalent of a must-have fashion accessory? Do businesses sometimes have CSR statements merely because everyone else has one and they don’t want to be left behind? These are crucial questions, and deserving of some consideration, especially if a business markets itself based on its eco-credentials and ethical stance.  

Leading By Example 

As a business owner, the onus falls to you to be a leader in the ethical values and standards that the business holds itself to. If you have marketed your business based on its unwavering commitment to environmental issues, then you need to be the beacon for this. Your attitude and behavior will filter down throughout the organization and influence the behavior and attitudes of your employees and the company culture in general. If there is any disparity between your behavior and attitude, and your company’s brand, you could seriously damage your company.  

If your business is marketed as being environmentally friendly, you must embody this in your actions and your appearance. You will need to drive an eco-friendly vehicle, as a gas-guzzling supercar in the company parking lot will certainly give the wrong impression. Rather than wearing disposable contact lenses, you will need to wear eyeglasses such as those from this site to minimize the single-use waste that you generate. When you lead by example, you inspire others to raise their standards, which in turn permeates through the culture of the entire organization. 

The Importance of Consistency 

Consistency is key to a successful CSR effort. If your CSR policy differs wildly from the way that your business operates on a day to day basis, this needs to be resolved. Failure to implement the measures stated in your CSR can seriously damage the reputation of your business, as your marketing will appear misleading to your customers. So, if you have a CSR policy, this needs to be implemented, or you risk damaging the integrity of your company.

Appointing someone within your organization to lead your CSR efforts is essential. Having employees drive the policy forward so that the actions of your company are entirely consistent with your CSR policy should be your starting point, and from there, your efforts can be expanded.

Putting so much focus on your business’ corporate social responsibility is well worth the effort in the long term. Taking a consistent and committed approach will help to boost your business’ reputation and give you the satisfaction of knowing that you are playing your part in protecting the planet for future generations.