Folksonomics

Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was launched by Henry Kravis and George Roberts in the mid seventies with the support of the First Chicago Corporation. Recently they have put together a groundbreaking venture which focuses not simply on profitability, but in addition on how environmentally aware each of their companies are.

KKR’s Henry Kravis and the non-profit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) got together in 2008, hoping to make environmentally sound business practices an accepted principle. The coalition intends to tackle some all important green matters, for example air pollution, toxic chemical use, unrestrained consumption of water resources, and soil contamination. Eco-efficiency (the phrase was initially pitched by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development WBCSD) provides their mission’s framework, applying policies such as reducing the dispersion of toxic chemicals, maximum use of renewable resources and using clean energy. Even though the project was a colossal success, no-one understood how far reaching the results really were until Ken Mehlman, the head of the program and global public affairs, finished the first annual review. Only at that point did Ken discover that the program wasn’t merely cutting impact on the environment, but it was also helping to save companies a great deal of money. Nearly all of the commercial concerns linked with Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co and Ken Mehlman today are involved in eco-efficiency principles. Still, when you consider that the group has a 2009 business portfolio valued at 86,000,000,000 dollars, you can be certain this was no easy see what a huge accomplishment this is. The original project has grown beyond its basic purpose and these days encompasses new opportunities. To illustrate, KKR joined the EDF’s Climate Corps Program which teaches students studying for a Master’s in Business Administration how to introduce financially astute, ecologically friendly principles. KKR and Ken Mehlman have been formulating a series of products that measure and administer various resources. With this information available, any business can evaluate their day to day activities and find out where any issues may be resolved while at the same time tracking their progress.

Today’s business world has been changed forever by the efforts of Henry Kravis, the KKC, and the Environmental Defense Fund. Their unique ideas have made decreasing their environmental impact simpler for businesses in every industry and shown the world that running a profitable business need not entail the hefty price of damaging the environment.