Corporate Strategies for Climate Change Mitigation: Insights from OECD Conference on CSR

1. 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

2. 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 low-carbon 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.

3. 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

4. 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?

5. 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?

6. 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) • How to ensure readability and credibility of information, deal with conflict across priorities? Key Issues

7. 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…

8. Thank you!Contact: celine.kauffmann@oecd.org