Business and the Planet — Ken Mehlman of Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co. And the Environmental Defense Fund
Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was set up by Henry Kravis and his partner George Roberts in the mid seventies with the assistance of the First Chicago Corporation. However, they have assembled a unique green enterprise which focuses not just on how profitable an enterprise is, but also on how environmentally friendly each of their companies are. When Henry Kravis from KKR and the non-profit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) got together a year ago green issues went mainstream. Their objectives include encouraging their associated enterprises to avoid environmental menaces e.g. toxic waste and immeasurable water consumption.
Eco-efficiency (the term was first advertised by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development WBCSD) represents their mission’s framework, employing green policies like maximum use of renewable resources, reducing the dispersion of toxic chemicals and fuel economy. Simple and effective, but the KKR and EDF did not even realize the full advantages of the project until the head of the project and global public affairs, Ken Mehlman, reviewed the project following a full year in operation.
Eclipsing everybody’s expectations, Ken found that this program not only assisted in preserving the local environment, but was also increasing the profitability of each company besides. Up to now, KKR and Ken Mehlman have nearly every business in their portfolio engaged in eco-efficiency principles. And, with a current business portfolio estimated at $86,000,000,000, you can be sure this wasn’t a simple see what an enormous feat this is. The original Green Portfolio project has evolved far beyond its initial remit and currently includes new opportunities. To illustrate, KKR linked up with the Environmental Defense Fund’s Climate Corps Program that instructs students taking a Master’s degree in Business Administration how to put together and introduce cost-efficient, planet friendly principles. Furthermore, Ken Mehlman has been in close collaboration with KKR to produce a package of metrics and analytic tools that firms can utilize to evaluate and oversee a number of resources. With this information available, companies may without very much effort measure all of their daily activities and identify where any issues can be resolved while at the same time allowing them to discover how far they have progressed. Henry Kravis, the KKR, and the Environmental Defense Fund are genuine trailblazers when it comes to raising awareness of ecologically friendly business techniques. So, to summarize, the work of these organizations has made environmentally friendly business practice not only viable, but commercially desirable, and their radical ideas are setting a new standard in today’s business community.