Going Green: with Henry Kravis of Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co. Pioneering it
Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was set up in the mid seventies and in those days their main business was in leveraged buyouts. However, they have assembled a unique enterprise that concentrates not solely on maximized profit margins, but also on how ecologically friendly each of their companies are. When Henry Kravis from KKR and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) merged in 2008 green matters suddenly turned into a mainstream concept. The coalition wanted to help resolve big issues impeding the environment, which include depletion of the ozone layer, global warming, imprudent consumption of water resources, and toxic waste.
Eco-efficiency (the phrase was originally popularized by the WBCSD) has shaped the framework for their mission, employing green policies such as fuel economy, improving fuel economy through vehicle fleet maintenance and reducing the waste of resources. Although the project was a tremendous success, no-one realized how far reaching the consequences were until Ken Mehlman, the head of the program and global public affairs, finished the review of the first 12 months.
Topping everybody’s expectations, Ken saw that this program not only cut back on the overall impact on the planet, but was increasing the profits from all their businesses besides. Almost all of the business organizations affiliated to KKR and Ken Mehlman now use eco-efficiency. However, with a 2009 business portfolio valued at 86,000,000,000 dollars, you may be sure that this wasn’t an easy see what an enormous feat this is. These two groups alongside Ken Mehlman are further expanding the Green Portfolio project. The Climate Corps Program administrated by the EDF is a great example of this, it advances ecologically friendly business principles to students studying for an MBA. KKR and Ken Mehlman have taken the time to create metrics which have the ability to measure and manage various resources. These systems can evaluate an organization’s ecological impact and discover any problem areas.
The business world has been transformed forever by the ground breaking work of these organizations. These innovative concepts have made going green less problematic for businesses in every industry and shown the world that making profits need not entail the hefty price of damaging the environment.
