Bangladesh Social Enterprise Project - Bangladesh Enterprise Institute

“GREEN” CASE STUDIES AND ENERGY LENDING
GREEN SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AND CSR CASE STUDIES
Based on FDC Social Enterprise Briefing Note by Ryan Edwards
With climate change being arguably the most pressing and dividing political issue of our
time, it is worth noting where social enterprise can be of assistance. ‘Green profits’ and
‘green industries’ are profits captured due to by opportunities arising out of climate change.
This involves capitalizing from the shift in consumer demand to sustainable products and
companies. There are many energy companies following this route, and using new
technology, or environmental value and sustainable practice to increase their market share
and shareholders’ wealth. Whether it be biogas power in Vietnam, LPG substitution in
Morocco, or Coconut oil power generation in Vanuatu, the inconvenient truth is that the
private sector appears to be reacting to climate change faster than the public sector. Some
large notable CSR manoeuvres to address climate change are;
• Fuji Xerox and Dow: By a joint venture of both companies to join Eco‐Patent
Commons, they are pledging environmentally friendly and landmark patents into
the public domain, effectively creating intellectual property public goods in the
interest of a sustainable environment 1 .
• Coca Cola and WWF 2 : In a joint‐venture between Coke and WWF, utilizing both of
the organisations core competencies (size and power – Coke, environmental
expertise – WWF), the two companies have united to preserve seven of the worlds
largest water ecosystems. Coke is making their water use more efficient through
their entire supply, decreasing carbon emissions and energy use, and seeking to
inspire other companies to do the same.
1 Source: PR Newswire, 2009, ‘Dow and Fuji Xerox Join Eco‐Patent Commons’, PR Newswire, Oct 20, 2009,
Available online at: http://www.prnewswire.com/news‐releases/dow‐and‐fuji‐xerox‐join‐eco‐patentcommons‐64939502.html
2 Source: Coca‐Cola Company Website 2009, ‘Converging on Water: An Innovative Conservation Partnership’,
Available online at: http://www.thecoca‐colacompany.com/citizenship/conservation_partnership.html