UNDP Deputy Resident Representative key note speaker at Atlantic LNG CEO’s Sustainability Awards

On Saturday 17 April, 2010, UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative Edo Stork was the key note speaker at Atlantic LNG CEO’s Sustainability Awards.

 

The Sustainability Awards were given to projects of the company in the categories of business process improvements, plant optimization and efficiency, social responsibility and community investment, and sustainable health safety security and environment improvement.

Atlantic LNG refers to corporate sustainability as their ability to develop their business in an economically, environmentally and socially responsible way, adding value for our stakeholders and contributing to a sustainable future for Trinidad and Tobago and our planet.

Mr. Stork in his key note speech thanked Atlantic LNG and its CEO, Mr. Oscar Prieto for the invitation, congratulated the winners of the awards for the evening and thanked Atlantic LNG for their support given to the Government of T&T/UNDP Caribbean CSR Conference which took place in October 2009.

Edo Stork, UNDP T&T DRR delivering speech at Atlantic LNG CEO’s Sustainability Awards Event

His speech spoke to the importance of sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and gave some perspectives on CSR from UNDP Trinidad and Tobago and other countries.

 He defined CSR as: “the voluntary integration of social and environmental concerns into commercial operations. This should be seen, as a way to make our societies—better societies —and, importantly, it has also proved to be an innovative approach that differentiates and adds value to businesses, making them and the societies where they operate more competitive and better prepared to face the challenges of globalization and create a better world for our children”. Examples of sustainable CSR approaches were given such as in:

a.    Colombia where UNDP does mapping of private sector needs in SMEs and then trains people according to needs

b.    El Salvador: where UNDP supports low income housing and productive urban settlements

c.     Paraguay: support of UNDP for the establishment of a micro-finance network

d.    Costa Rica: assistance by UNDP competitiveness in tourism/agriculture sector and creation of decent/green jobs

e.    The ongoing work in T&T on moving CSR through supply chains as has been started by Atlantic LNG and the Energy Chamber

f.     Internal CSR to improve the social conditions of employees and highlighted the example of Atlantic LNG’s daycare centre

 

UNDP, together with the Energy Chamber, developed a CSR mapping study which highlighted important lessons learned (see the CSR mapping study for all lessons learned) such as:

1.    There is still a focus on Philanthropy and public relations

2.    Localization of CSR activities in fence line communities

3.    Limited involvement of government

4.    Lot of work by large companies especially energy and related sector, less by smaller companies

5.    Limited collaboration with civil society organizations

6.    Limited reporting and limited involvement of the Small and Medium Enterprises

 

Mr. Stork told the audience that what is important for UNDP is to focus on the poor and vulnerable through its initiative for Growing Inclusive Markets and that UNDP through its network and international experience has knowledge on how to achieve sustainable CSR. He highlighted that UNDP currently has worked in Trinidad and Tobago in:

a.    The establishment of a local T&T network of the UN Global Compact together with the T&T Manufacturers Organization,

b.    Setting up new partnerships and projects with companies and chambers of industry and commerce,

c.     Starting a new project with the government to develop a draft national CSR policy/strategy in a participative manner with the private sector and other stakeholders,

d.    Supporting the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for the hosting of the IADB Latin America and the Caribbean CSR conference towards the end of 2010,

e.    Judging activities for the Energy Chamber’s CSR awards.

 

In closing he remarked that regardless of the intensity of the effort, what counts is the sincerity of the commitment and aspiration to sustainable change. CSR engagement is only as worthy as it is sincere. He congratulated Atlantic LNG on its focus on sustainability as highlighted by Mr. Prieto and demonstrated through the evening’s CEO’s Sustainability Awards.

 The event took place at Pier 1 Convention Centre in Chaguaramas, Trinidad.