Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co. And the Environmental Defense Fund - Trendsetters in Business and Protecting the Environment
Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was launched in the 1970’s and orginally their focus was in ‘bootstrap’ buyouts. But they have put together a unique green enterprise which focuses not alone on maximum ROI, but in addition on the ecological impact of the companies they control. Environmentally sound business practices became more widely acknowledged a year ago when KKR’s Henry Kravis and the non-profit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) joined forces. These companies wanted to oppose some big matters impeding the environment, for instance hazardous chemicals, soil contamination, egregious consumption of water resources, and toxic waste.
In order to achieve this, they apply a routine labeled eco-efficiency; this involves practical techniques such as reducing the waste of resources, improving fuel economy through vehicle fleet maintenance, and recycling programs. The program was successful, but the management did not even understand the scope of the benefits of the program until the man in charge of the program, Ken Mehlman, evaluated the program subsequent to a year in operation.
As if to override all expectations, Ken saw that eco-efficiency not only increased environmental awareness, but was increasing the profitability of every last company too. Well-nigh all of the companies owned by KKR and Ken Mehlman nowadays are actively participating in eco-efficiency principles. If you look at the fact that this portfolio of business concerns is valued at 86 billion dollars, you can see what a feat this actually was.
The Green Portfolio project now includes new initiatives. To illustrate, Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co got together with the Environmental Defense Fund’s Climate Corps Program an enterprise which teaches students taking an MBA how to develop and introduce cost-effective, ecologically friendly practices. KKR and Ken Mehlman have been creating metrics that manage resources. With this information available, companies can evaluate their daily activities and identify precisely how they can improve while at the same time permitting them to see how far they have moved on.
Henry Kravis, the KKR, and the Environmental Defense Fund are true innovators when it comes to encouraging green business techniques. So, in conclusion, the work of these organizations has made ecologically friendly business techniques not only viable, but commercially desirable, and their revolutionary ideas are setting a new standard in the competitive business world of today.
