BT
Corporate Social Responsibility
What happened?
A strong CSR approach benefitted BT.
It was important for BT to be clear about why a fully integrated CSR approach provided lots of opportunities for the company. Research identified several positive outcomes:
- Customers and clients are interested in BT's CSR credentials
They want to know all about the companies they do business with, and this includes their values and CSR work. - BT's CSR work motivates employees
63% of employees said they were motivated to work for the company knowing about its social and environmental activities.
30% of graduates said the CSR work influenced their initial decision to apply for a graduate placement with the company. - BT uses ICT products and services to help promote sustainability
This applies to the company's own business practice and to the services they promote. For example, greater use of home-working and video conferencing can reduce travel time and fuel consumption, and enable people to achieve a better work-life balance. - Good CSR makes financial sense.
In 2005 BT saved over £400 million as a result of following environmental programmes.
Think about how these are important to you.
Leading by example
BT has taken a strong lead in reducing its carbon footprint.
The widespread use of broadband has increased the consumption of electricity. BT powers its 6,500 telephone exchanges, satellite earth stations, offices and depots with environmentally friendly fuel - half from sustainable resources such as wind generation, solar, wave and hydroelectric schemes and half from CHP, a technology which reduces energy usage by up to 40%.
By October 2004 BT had become the world's largest purchaser of green energy.