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The Future of CSR Reporting: Coca Cola Enterprises Releases Video Report
It used to be that corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports were paper. Then the PDF format became the norm. Whether they were in electronic or paper format, however, the PR-heavy approach, often with pages laden with happy children, waterfalls, and people of every race holding hands, began to grate on stakeholders and organizations who vetted these reports.
GRI (Global Reporting Initiative)’s framework has had its role in companies moving away from those whitewashed reports, and a bevy of other events also changed the way we view CSR reporting. To that end, Coca Cola Enterprises (CCE), the European bottler that is a separate company from The Coca Cola Company, recently issued a CSR report that other companies are wise to emulate. CCE also released a video that gives a snapshot of the report.
The video, produced by 3BL Media and CorporateRegister.com, is an example of forward-thinking CSR reporting. The constant fire hose of information, our busy schedules, and the opportunity to provide feedback via comments are why we will see more companies produce short, snappy videos about their CSR agendas--and more importantly invite stakeholders to offer feedback.
Just a few highlights:
- The report is 40 pages long, not too long, not too short--and full of graphs and charts that outline the company’s goals and objectives
- CCE has 7 key focus areas, from energy to employee engagement to packaging.
- Sustainability can pay off: CEE decreased its energy consumption four percent while increasing the volume of its business by four percent.
- A new PET recycling plant in the UK will double the amount of recycled PET generated in that country and will be one of the largest such facility in western Europe.
Watch the video below, and offer feedback. This video is just one example of how CSR reporting is evolving.
Leon Kaye is the Editor of GreenGoPost.com and contributes to The Guardian Sustainable Business; you can follow him on Twitter.
Leon Kaye has written for 3p since 2010 and become executive editor in 2018. His previous work includes writing for the Guardian as well as other online and print publications. In addition, he's worked in sales executive roles within technology and financial research companies, as well as for a public relations firm, for which he consulted with one of the globe’s leading sustainability initiatives. Currently living in Central California, he’s traveled to 70-plus countries and has lived and worked in South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay.
Leon’s an alum of Fresno State, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the University of Southern California's Marshall Business School. He enjoys traveling abroad as well as exploring California’s Central Coast and the Sierra Nevadas.
