Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 6

Business - Essay Example In the context of the above statement, the firm’s operational activities have been aligned, as possible, with the principles of the Global Compact (U.N. Global Compact, The Ten Principles). Particular emphasis has been given on the 8th and 9th principles of the Global Compact, i.e. the development of initiatives to promote environmental responsibility, 8th principle, and the encouragement of the development of technologies that are environmentally friendly, 9th principle (U.N. Global Compact, The Ten Principles). ... ing units that use CO2 as a refrigerant’ (PepsiCo, Climate Change) and b2) the firm has promoted green building in all its facilities internationally (PepsiCo, Climate Change). 1. Lessons Learnt The application of the above practices has helped towards the promotion of the 8th and 9th principles of the Global Compact. An indication of the success of the firm’s efforts in the specific field is the following fact: in 2009 the firm was given a series of awards from ‘the U.S. Green Building Council’ (PepsiCo, Climate Change) for its facilities – built in accordance with the green building standards, as set by the above Council. On the other hand, the use of rocks in India for advertising reasons, an initiative, which set the local ecosystem in risk, proved that not all the firm’s practices are aligned with sustainability (The Peninsula 2002). However, the firm’s major competitor, Coke, which also used a similar practice, has also failed in fully aligning its practices with the principles of sustainability (The Peninsula 2002). It should be noted though that the practices of Coke in the area of sustainability, have resulted to important environmental benefits: for example, in 2009 the carbon footprint of the firm was reduced at 11.5% compared to 2007; also, the promotion of green building policies in the firm’s facilities worldwide (Environmental Leader 2010). 2. Recommendations The firm’s current policies in regard to sustainability (referring especially to the promotion of the 8th and 9th principles of the Global Compact) would be further improved through the following practices: a) development of sustainable-related programmes which will be supported by the locals (Ritchie 2000, 51) ; reference is made to community-based sustainable initiatives