Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co. And the Environmental Defense Fund – Pacesetters in Business and Protecting the Planet
Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was launched in the 1970’s and in those days the company’s specialization was in ‘bootstrap’ buyouts. Recently they have launched an exceptional proposal that centers not simply on how profitable a corporation is, but likewise on the ecological impact of the companies they control. Environmentally sound business practices became a hot topic a year ago when Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co’s Henry Kravis and the the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) merged. They aims to tackle big green matters, for instance air pollution, soil contamination, imprudent consumption of water resources, and water pollution. Eco-efficiency (a term originally popularized by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development WBCSD) is the methodology leveraged to achieve these goals, employing environmentally sustainable techniques like reducing the waste of resources, reducing the intensity of materials and fuel economy. Regardless of the fact that the program was a tremendous success, people simply did not realize how far reaching the effects were until Ken Mehlman, the executive responsible for the program, carried out the first annual review. Only then did Ken Mehlman notice that using eco-efficiency was not only helping the local environment, but additionally it was saving firms a considerable amount of money. Nearly all of the firms affiliated to KKR and Ken Mehlman nowadays use eco-efficiency. And, with a 2009 business portfolio with a worth of eighty six billion dollars, you can be sure that this was not an easy feat.
The original project has grown beyond its initial remit and currently encompasses new opportunities. The Climate Corps Program established by the EDF is an example of this, it heightens awareness of earth friendly business techniques to students taking an MBA. KKR and Ken Mehlman have been creating metrics and analytical tools that quantify and oversee various resources. These tools allow staff see how they are impacting on the environment and discover any practices which might need improving.
Today’s business community has been changed permanently by the efforts of these individuals. Their fresh ideas have simplified the process for organizations in every sector and proved to the world that running a profitable business need not entail the hefty price of negatively impacting our planet.
