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Protecting the Planet — with Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co. Setting the Standards

Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was launched by Henry Kravis and his business partner George Roberts in the 1970’s with the help of the First Chicago Corporation. Pushing further, in an uncommon endeavor to make their acquisitions more environmentally friendly, KKR have set up a unique green proposal that has fundamentally changed the method by which businesses and environmental activists work together, in a big way.

When Henry Kravis from KKR and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) joined forces last year environmental matters went mainstream. The coalition aims to tackle critical issues impeding the ecology of the planet, such as hazardous emissions, hazardous waste, high consumption of water resources, and hazardous chemicals.

Eco-efficiency (the term was first introduced by the WBCSD) governs their mission’s framework, employing policies like improving fuel economy through vehicle fleet maintenance, using clean energy and recycling programs. Even though the program was an enormous success, no-one recognized how fantastic the results were until Ken Mehlman, the man responsible for the program, looked at the first year’s figures.

Exceeding everybody’s expectations, Ken saw that this program not only cut back on environmental impact, but also increased the profitability of each business as well. Virtually all of the commercial concerns held by Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co and Ken Mehlman now are actively taking part in eco-efficiency. Yet, when you consider that the group has a 2009 business portfolio with a value of 86,000,000,000 dollars, you may be certain this wasn’t an easy feat. The original project has now broadened to include new ventures. For example, KKR got together with the EDF’s Climate Corps Program an enterprise that teaches MBA interns how to introduce financially strong, earth friendly practices.

Lately, Ken Mehlman has been in close collaboration with Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co to develop a series of systems which all kinds of companies can employ to quantify and administer resources. With this information available, businesses can assess their day to day procedures and find out exactly how any issues may be resolved while at the same time seeing their progress.

Henry Kravis, the KKR, and the Environmental Defense Fund truly are pioneers in the business world. Their developments have set a high standard for business organizations in every sector and illustrated that making profits need not entail the hefty price of negatively impacting our planet.

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