1. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Policies on CSR in Europe: An Overview of Topics and Instruments Reinhard Steurer Gerald Berger RIMAS - Research Institute for Managing Sustainability Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration www.sustainability.eu

2. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Orientation 1.Research behind this presentation Activities of RIMAS 2.Sustainable Develpoment: The context of CSR Policies Conceptual and political clarifications 3.The CSR policy field Instruments and topics 4.A closer look at two topics CSR awareness raising & Sustainable Public Procurement 5.Conclusions EU and Member State policies on CSR

3. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Orientation 1.Research behind this presentation Activities of RIMAS 2.Sustainable Develpoment: The context of CSR Policies Conceptual and political clarifications 3.The CSR policy field Instruments and topics 4.A closer look at two topics CSR awareness raising & Sustainable Public Procurement 5.Conclusions EU and Member State policies on CSR

4. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Recent projects on Sustainble Development (SD) European Environment special issue on SD Strategies in Europe ESDN (European Sustainable Development Network) Office www.sd-network.eu (financed by 8 European countries)

5. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007

6. Recent projects on SD European Environment special issue on SD Strategies in Europe ESDN (European Sustainable Development Network) Office www.sd-network.eu (financed by 8 European countries) Recent projects on CSR Policies on CSR in Europe (City of Vienna) Corporate Sustainability and CSR in Western and CEE Europe (Austrian National Bank) Analysis of National Policies on CSR -- www.sustainability.eu/csr-policies for EU CSR High Level Group (DG Employment)

7. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Orientation 1.Research behind this presentation Activities of RIMAS 2.Sustainable Develpoment: The context of CSR Policies Conceptual and political clarifications 3.The CSR policy field Instruments and topics 4.A closer look at two topics CSR awareness raising & Sustainable Public Procurement 5.Conclusions EU and Member State policies on CSR

8. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 CSR and SD: Similarities 1.Normative assumptions are at the core of both SD and CSR/stakeholder management 2.Integrating environmental and social aspects into economic policies/strategies is key for SD and CSR (triple bottom line) 3.Participation in the societal context of SD is mirrored by stakeholder management in the context of CSR Source: Steurer, R et al (2005): Corporations, Stakeholders and Sustainable Development: A Theoretical Exploration of Business-Society Relations, in: Journal of Business Ethics, 61/3, 263-281.

9. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 CSR and SD: Differences 1.History SD comes from the environmental, CSR from the social dimension 2.Institutional affiliation SD still located in Environment, CSR in Social Ministries 3.Time horizon SD focuses on future generations, CSR on present stakeholders 4.Scope SD is a societal concept, CSR a management approach Source: Steurer, R et al (2005): Corporations, Stakeholders and Sustainable Development: A Theoretical Exploration of Business-Society Relations, in: Journal of Business Ethics, 61/3, 263-281.

10. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Sustainable Development Corporate Sustainability Environmental dimension Economic dimension Social dimension CSR SRM Societal Concept Management Approach Corporate Concept Management Systems Starting Point of conceptual development Stakeholder Relations Management (SRM) Level of specification SRM ISO … Source: Steurer, R et al (2005), Journal of Business Ethics, 61/3, 263-281.

11. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Preliminary conclusions CSR is a business contribution to SD (European Commission 2001) Since CSR re-defines state-business and business- society relations, shaping concept and activities also concerns governments and civil society CSR policies are a new government contribution to SD that complements (or compensates for the lack of) traditional social and environmental policies

12. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Orientation 1.Research behind this presentation Activities of RIMAS 2.Sustainable Develpoment: The context of CSR Policies Conceptual and political clarifications 3.The CSR policy field Instruments and topics 4.A closer look at two topics CSR awareness raising & Sustainable Public Procurement 5.Conclusions EU and Member State policies on CSR

13. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 CSR policy instruments 1.Informational or endorsing instruments: Campaigns, guidelines, trainings 2.Partnering instruments: Agreements, networks, PPPs, dialogues 3.Financial or economic instruments: Subsidies, grants, prices/awards 4.Legal (mandating) instruments: Laws, regulations, decrees 5.Hybrid instruments Strategies, action plans, platforms, centres Source: Fox T, Ward H, Howard B. 2002; World Bank; http://www.iied.org/pubs /pdf/full/16014IIED.pdf CSR policies study on awareness raising, see www.sustinability.eu/cs r-policies

14. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Character of policy instruments in general 1.Informational or endorsing instruments: Campaigns, guidelines, trainings 2.Partnering instruments: Agreements, networks, PPPs, dialogues 3.Financial or economic instruments: Subsidies, grants, prices/awards 4.Legal (mandating) instruments: Laws, regulations, decrees 5.Hybrid instruments Strategies, action plans, platforms, centres New governance and soft-law approach Regulatory approach

15. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Character of CSR policy instruments 1.Informational or endorsing instruments: Campaigns, guidelines, trainings 2.Partnering instruments: Agreements, networks, PPPs, dialogues 3.Financial or economic instruments: Subsidies, grants, prices/awards 4.Legal (mandating) instruments: Laws, regulations, decrees 5.Hybrid instruments Strategies, action plans, platforms, centres New governance and soft-law approach

16. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Orientation 1.Research behind this presentation Activities of RIMAS 2.Sustainable Develpoment: The context of CSR Policies Conceptual and political clarifications 3.The CSR policy field Instrument and topics 4.A closer look at two topics CSR awareness raising & Sustainable Public Procurement 5.Conclusions EU and Member State policies on CSR

17. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Not traditional social and environmental regulations, but Raise awareness for CSR Increase disclosure & transparency Foster Socially Responsible Investment Make Public Procurement sustainable Help develop management and audit tools Key topics of CSR policies

18. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 1.Raise awareness for CSR 2.Increase disclosure & transparency 3.Foster Socially Responsible Investment 4.Make Public Procurement sustainable 5.Help develop management and audit tools Topics covered in study for DG Employment

19. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Orientation 1.Research behind this presentation Activities of RIMAS 2.Sustainable Develpoment: The context of CSR Policies Conceptual and political clarifications 3.The CSR policy field Topics and policy tools 4.A closer look at two topics CSR awareness raising & Sustainable Public Procurement 5.Conclusions EU and Member State policies on CSR

20. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 CSR awareness raising initiatives in Europe 1.Rationale Increase awareness for CSR among government authorities, businesses and stakeholders 2.Method 24 telephone interviews - 20 EU Member States covered 3 case studies (Sw, NL, Den) 3. Number of initiatives 85

21. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Overview of CSR awareness raising instruments Education activities, e.g. conferences, seminars, trainings; 17.7% Government-sponsored guidelines; 10.6% Information resources, e.g. website, studies, reports etc.; 10.6% Information/awareness raising campaigns; 9.4% Networks/partnerships/ agreements; 10.6% Multi-stakeholder fora; 4.8% Prices and awards (CSR audits/labels); 8.2% Economic incentives (loans, grants, subsidies); 3.5% Action plans/ programmes/strategy for CSR; 9.4% Institutions: platforms/ centres; 8.2% Others; 7.0% Informational or endorsing instruments Partnering instruments Financial or economic instruments Hybrid tools and others

22. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Target groups of CSR awareness raising Companies; 40.3% Young people; 1.6% Business/industry sectors; 1.6% Universities/schools; 6.2% Consumers/consumer organizations/general public; 7% Ministries/governmental officials; 7.6% Trade unions/social partners; 8.5% NGOs; 10.1% SMEs; 12.4% Employees; 1.6% Others; 3.1%

23. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Target groups of CSR awareness raising Companies; 40.3% Consumers/consumer organizations/general public; 7% Ministries/governmental officials; 7.6% Trade unions/social partners; 8.5% NGOs; 10.1% SMEs; 12.4% Few initiatives focus exclusively on SMEs (no prices/awards) --- generally regarded as most important target group

24. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Target groups of CSR awareness raising Companies; 40.3% Consumers/consumer organizations/general public; 7% Ministries/governmental officials; 7.6% Trade unions/social partners; 8.5% NGOs; 10.1% SMEs; 12.4% Social partners rarely mentioned as target group (even not in networks, multi- stakeholder fora etc.)

25. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Three case studies on CSR awareness raising Sweden: Globalt Ansvar Partnership for global responsibility Government invites companies to join the partnership by adopting the OECD guidelines and the UN Global Compact Sweden: Globalt Ansvar Partnership for global responsibility Government invites companies to join the partnership by adopting the OECD guidelines and the UN Global Compact Netherlands: Knowledge and Information Centre on CSR since 2004 Disseminate knowledge and good practices Promote stakeholder dialogues Foster partnerships Netherlands: Knowledge and Information Centre on CSR since 2004 Disseminate knowledge and good practices Promote stakeholder dialogues Foster partnerships Denmark: People & Profit Programme initiated in 2004 Activities: research, training, dissemination of information Goal: enhance competitiveness (foster CSR as a business case) Denmark: People & Profit Programme initiated in 2004 Activities: research, training, dissemination of information Goal: enhance competitiveness (foster CSR as a business case)

26. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Orientation 1.Research behind this presentation Activities of RIMAS 2.Sustainable Develpoment: The context of CSR Policies Conceptual and political clarifications 3.The CSR policy field Topics and policy tools 4.A closer look at two topics CSR awareness raising & Sustainable Public Procurement 5.Conclusions EU and Member State policies on CSR

27. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Sustainable Public Procurement 1.Rationale By making public procurement sustainable governments provide economic incentives for CSR 2.Method 24 interviews, 7 times (additional) written information, 26 EU Member States covered

28. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Countries covered in the SPP survey Green: survey Orange: other studies Grey: not covered

29. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Sustainable Public Procurement 1.Rationale By making public procurement sustainable governments provide economic incentives for CSR 2.Method 74 contacts, 24 interviews, 7 times (additional) written information, 26 EU Member States covered 3.Number of initiatives 103

30. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Overview of SPP initiatives Educational activities, e.g. conferences, seminars, trainings; 3.9% Government-sponsored guidelines; 13.6% Information resources, e.g. websites, studies, reports, etc.; 11.7% Information/awareness raising campaigns; 1.9% Networks/partnerships/ agreements; 1.0% Decrees, resolutions; 4.9% Circulars; 4.9% Action plans/ programmes/strategies for CSR; 27.2% Platforms/centres/ institutions; 5.8% Informational instruments Partnering instruments Legal instruments Hybrid instruments Laws; 25.2% 1/3

31. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 EU Directives* on PP: Status of implementation 19: implemented 2 (Es, Lux): in preparation 1: not implemented 5: status unclear * Procurement directive 2004/18/EC Utilities directive 2004/17/EC

32. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Overview of SPP initiatives Educational activities, e.g. conferences, seminars, trainings; 3.9% Government-sponsored guidelines; 13.6% Information resources, e.g. websites, studies, reports, etc.; 11.7% Information/awareness raising campaigns; 1.9% Networks/partnerships/ agreements; 1.0% Decrees, resolutions; 4.9% Circulars; 4.9% Action plans/ programmes/strategies for CSR; 27.2% Platforms/centres/ institutions; 5.8% Informational instruments Partnering instruments Legal instruments Hybrid instruments Laws; 25.2% 1/3

33. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Member States with National Action Plans on SPP/GPP 9: NAP adopted 7: NAP in preparation/ drafted 3: No (draft) NAP 8: Status unclear

34. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Overview of SPP initiatives Educational activities, e.g. conferences, seminars, trainings; 3.9% Government-sponsored guidelines; 13.6% Information resources, e.g. websites, studies, reports, etc.; 11.7% Information/awareness raising campaigns; 1.9% Networks/partnerships/ agreements; 1.0% Decrees, resolutions; 4.9% Circulars; 4.9% Action plans/ programmes/strategies for CSR; 27.2% Platforms/centres/ institutions; 5.8% Informational instruments Partnering instruments Legal instruments Hybrid instruments Laws; 25.2% Economic/financial instruments are missing, but…

35. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Overview of SPP initiatives Educational activities, e.g. conferences, seminars, trainings; 3.9% Government-sponsored guidelines; 13.6% Information resources, e.g. websites, studies, reports, etc.; 11.7% Information/awareness raising campaigns; 1.9% Networks/partnerships/ agreements; 1.0% Decrees, resolutions; 4.9% Circulars; 4.9% Action plans/ programmes/strategies for CSR; 27.2% Platforms/centres/ institutions; 5.8% Informational instruments Partnering instruments Legal instruments Hybrid instruments Laws; 25.2% Indirectly: All SPP initiatives foster CSR by providing economic/ financial incentives

36. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Target groups of SPP initiatives Public sector in general; 66.0% Business; 10.7% Regional and/or local level; 6.8% National/federal level; 19.4% not identified; 8.7% Others; 1.9% Direct target group: 92.2% public sector Indirect target group 100% businesses Direct target group: 92.2% public sector Indirect target group 100% businesses

37. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Orientation 1.Research behind this presentation Activities of RIMAS 2.Sustainable Develpoment: The context of CSR Policies Conceptual and political clarifications 3.The CSR policy field Topics and policy tools 4.A closer look at two topics CSR awareness raising & Sustainable Public Procurement 5.Conclusions EU and Member State policies on CSR

38. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 Conclusions on CSR policies in Europe 1.CSR policies are different to traditional policy fields because they rely more on new governance and soft-law 2.CSR policies can be pursued proactively or passively, depending on political ideologies and interests (change of course by the European Commission in 2005/2006!) 3.CSR policies complement traditional policies, i.e. they cannot replace social, environmental or trade regulations

39. Policies on CSR in Europe VHB Kommission Umweltwirtschaft, Herbsttagung 2007 THANK YOU! Reinhard Steurer reinhard.steurer@wu-wien.ac.at Gerald Berger Gerald.berger@wu-wien.ac.at RIMAS – Research Institute for Managing Sustainability Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration Vienna, Austria www.sustainability.eu