Role of the Board in Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability and Climate Change Growing

By Tracey de Morsella on June 11, 2009 Comments Off on Role of the Board in Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability and Climate Change Growing Boards of directors, business risks, business sustainability, Ceres, Chris Park, Climate Change, Corporate Board Member magazine, corporate responsibility, corporate responsibility and sustainability, crs, Deloitte, Deloitte’s Enterprise Sustainability group, energy consumption, energy price volatility, environmental audit, Eric Hespenheide, green products, green technologies, greenhouse gas emission, investors, market demands, Mindy Lubber, social performance, sustainability, The Director Corporate Responsibility Sustainability and Climate Change Survey, The Responsible and Sustainable Board, transparency

Boards of directors are increasingly paying attention to the risks and opportunities associated with corporate responsibility, sustainability and climate change, according to a new survey commissioned by Deloitte and Corporate Board Member magazine. The survey of 220 directors at U.S. companies with $1 billion or more in revenue highlights the board’s growing role in oversight of corporate responsibility and sustainability (CR&S). Despite the current economic environment the board’s role is undoubtedly increasing as there is greater awareness of the business risks and opportunities associated with corporate responsibility, sustainability and climate change. The perfect storm of emerging regulations, increased requirements for reporting and transparency, heightened pressure from investors, energy price volatility and market demands for green products and technologies is driving CR&S as a business imperative.