The launch of the FORGE II guidelines on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) management and reporting for UK financial services organisations took place last week at a joint ABI and BBA event in London.
The launch of the FORGE II guidelines on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) management and reporting for UK financial services organisations took place last week at a joint ABI and BBA event in London.
Lord Sainsbury, for the UK government, greeted the FORGE II guidance as a welcome addition to the firm foundations laid by FORGE I, the first set of guidelines, which were produced on environmental management and reporting in 2000.
He continued to praise the FORGE grouping – chaired by Aviva – as an example of a successful private/public partnership and stated that it justified the voluntary business- led approach to promoting sound corporate behaviour, which the government will adhere to for the time being. Dominque Be, speaking for the European Commission in welcoming the guidelines, echoed this sentiment.
Lord Sainsbury stated that the government would welcome a continuation of the partnership in a new FORGE III project. This is likely to examine and provide guidance on marketplace issues such as trust, credibility and ethical behaviour.
The guidelines were developed by Aviva, Abbey National, Barclays, Lloyds TSB, Royal Bank of Scotland, Legal and General, Royal & SunAlliance and Zurich, supported by three government departments - DFID, DTI and Defra with consultancy services provided by PWC. A variety of non- governmental organisations such as Amnesty International, Traidcraft and WWF were involved in the consultation process.
Anthony Sampson, Aviva’s director of corporate social responsibility, who presented at the event on behalf of the FORGE group, stressed that the guidance should be regarded as a useful first step and that understanding of this complex area, and development of an appropriate response to the challenges presented will continue to evolve over the coming months and years.
For further information or to download a copy of the guidelines, please visit the BBA website
Find out more about Aviva’s CSR programme.