Forum to debate green strategies

Dubai: As more companies announce their corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies, how many of them are serious initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint and support their community, and how much of it is green wash?

Global experts will meet during the seventh CSR summit which kicks off today in Dubai to discuss what can and should be done by businesses to act in an ethical manner.

The summit is the biggest of its kind and is very timely. Earlier this year a nationwide survey of CSR carried out by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and funded by the Emirates Foundation for Philanthropy found more than 90 per cent of responding organisations do not follow any CSR policies or practices.

The study showed companies do not allocate an annual budget to community-related CSR activities. Carried out between June and October last year the survey only received a response rate of 17 per cent.

During the summit, new 2010 online survey results will be revealed on what Middle Eastern leaders think about CSR, conducted by the Sustainability Advisory Group.

Whipping everybody into shape will be the Industry Guest Address delivered by Robert Swan, OBE.

Swan, 52, is commonly referred to as a pre-eminent polar explorer and environmental leader. By age 33, he became the first person to walk to both the North and South Poles. His 900-mile journey to the South Pole stands as the longest unassisted walk ever made on earth. Some of his other accomplishments include living solely on renewable energy at the E-Base — the world's first renewable energy Education Station in Antarctica for over two weeks. Successful in the world's harshest climate, his message to the world was "This is possible in Antarctica, and surely it is possible in the ‘real world'!" He was awarded the high distinction of OBE, Officer of the Order of the British Empire, as well as the Polar Medal.

He has committed to a 10-year mission to inspire youth to become sustainable leaders and promote the use of renewable energy throughout the planet.

Regional speakers include Habiba Al Marashi, chairperson of the Emirates Environment Group which conducts the annual CSR Awards.

Alan Knight, founder of Single Planet Living will also deliver a presentation. In the UAE, according to the Chamber of Commerce study, the most common areas where firms contribute to the community are: supporting people with special needs (27 per cent), international assistance and development (19 per cent) and environment conservation programmes (18 per cent).

Event

What: The seventh CSR summitWhen: May 30 to June 3Where: Shangri La Hotel, Dubai