When Henry Kravis and his business partner George Roberts set up Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) in the 1970’s with the help of the First Chicago Corporation, their specialization was in “bootstrap” buyouts. Lately, however, hoping to make the companies in their portfolio more environmentally aware, KKR have established a unique project which has totally changed the method by which business concerns and environmental activists work together, forever. When Henry Kravis from KKR and the non-profit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) joined forces in 2008 green matters went mainstream. The coalition was forged to tackle some all important matters hurting the environment, that include soil contamination, water pollution, immeasurable water consumption, and depletion of the ozone layer. Eco-efficiency (the phrase was first used by the WBCSD) constitutes the framework for their mission, employing environmentally sound policies like using clean energy, recycling programs and fuel economy. The program was initially well received, but the companies who were participating didn’t even realize the full benefits of the project until the head of the project and global public affairs, Ken Mehlman, assessed the program subsequent to its first year in operation.
Much to everybody’s surprise, Ken learned that this program not only assisted in preserving the environment, but also increased the profitability of all their business organizations as well. Up to now, Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co and Ken Mehlman have managed to get almost every associated company actively engaged in eco-efficiency. And, when you consider that the group has a current business portfolio estimated at 86,000,000,000 dollars, you may be sure this was not an easy see what a huge accomplishment this is.
The original program is expanding to include new opportunities. For instance, Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co linked up with the EDF’s Climate Corps Program which instructs MBA interns how to introduce cost-efficient, green techniques. What is more, Ken Mehlman has been cooperating closely with Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co to develop systems that business organizations can utilize to quantify different resources. With this information available, businesses may without much effort evaluate each of their everyday operations and find out how any problems can be solved while simultaneously seeing their progress.
Henry Kravis, the KKR, and the Environmental Defense Fund are genuine innovators in the business community. In summary, these systems have made environmentally friendly business practice not only viable, but commercially desirable, and their revolutionary ideas are setting a new standard in today’s community.
