Membership of external CSR initiatives

What are external CSR initiatives and what are their objectives?

An external CSR initiative refers to an action or project set up by a third-party organization to encourage ethical and responsible business practices. These initiatives can include voluntary commitments, international or local standards and regulations, as well as certification and verification programs.

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What are the reasons for joining an external CSR initiative?

Each initiative has its own specific features. However, joining an external CSR initiative allows you to :

• benefit from a common framework to give direction to its approach,
• communicate its sustainability commitments and reinforce the legitimacy of its approach among its stakeholders.

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Existing CSR initiatives (non-exhaustive list)

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General initiatives :

1. UNGC or United Nations Compact :

What's it all about?

The United Nations Global Compact is a United Nations initiative that emerged in 2020, following the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This initiative details 10 principles with which adherents are required to comply.

Concrete expectations?

By joining the United Nations Global Compact, organizations commit to respecting its 10 principles, and to producing an annual "Communication on Progress" report on their progress. Participating organizations are also encouraged to communicate and promote the Global Compact.

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2. PRI or Principle for Responsible Investment:

What's it all about?

The PRI are a set of 6 principles for investors and asset managers that define the notion of responsible investment.

Concrete expectations?

Organizations adhering to PRI are required to respect the 6 principles set out above, and pay an annual membership fee to the initiative.

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Environmental initiatives :

3. SBTi or Science Based Target initiative:

What's it all about?

Science Based Target Initiatives is an initiative of organizations such as CDP, the United Nations Covenant, WWF and WRI. It is aimed at companies that define a plan with clear and transparent targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is based on the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Concrete expectations?

The first expectation is that you commit to a letter that sets out your intentions to implement a science-based greenhouse gas emissions reduction target. Next, you are expected to work on setting a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target in line with SBTI criteria. Then, present your target to SBTi for official validation. You will then be expected to communicate your reduction target to all stakeholders. Finally, report on all your emissions and monitor progress towards your target on an annual basis.

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4. CDP or Carbon Disclosure Project:

What's it all about?

Founded in 2000, the Carbon Disclosure Project is an international non-profit organization that acts as a global system for reporting the environmental performance of companies, local authorities and public authorities. It measures impacts on climate, water and forests.

Concrete expectations?

Organizations are free to disclose their environmental strategy and answer the CDP questionnaires, reporting in particular on their greenhouse gas emissions, the implementation of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the awareness of their employees to climate risks.

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Social initiatives:‍‍

5. Diversity Charter :

What's it all about?

Created in 2004, the Diversity Charter is a commitment document for employers. Its aim is to encourage companies to promote diversity in their recruitment, human resources management and career promotion practices. In signing the Charter, companies are required to respect a number of fundamental principles.

Concrete expectations?

Signatories to the Diversity Charter are required to respect its 6 commitments, which include raising awareness and training employees in diversity issues.

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Responsible purchasing initiatives :

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6. The RFAR label - Responsible Purchasing and Supplier Relations :

What's it all about?

The only public label, it replaces the Relations Fournisseurs Responsables (RFR - Responsible Supplier Relations) label, and highlights French companies and public bodies that are committed to sustainable, balanced relations with their suppliers.

Concrete expectations?

Concrete expectations depend on the type of organization and its specific objectives. Generally speaking, the first requirement is to be a signatory of the Supplier Relations and Responsible Purchasing Charter. A written application must then be submitted to the certification body. For inspiration, here's a sample RFAR application form.

Once you have received the label's written agreement, you can appoint a duly authorized representative to represent your organization. You can then ask a third-party expert approved by the labellisateur to assess the conformity of your organization and its management practices with the RFAR Label Standards.

Next, you are asked to undertake to implement any corrective measures arising from any discrepancies observed during the assessment and, more generally, to support the ongoing achievement of the standard's objectives. Finally, you must submit to the annual verification assessment within the deadlines set and communicated by the certification body.