CEO of Action on Poverty on Australian corporates Pushing Beyond CSR to give back to the environment
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Action on Poverty CEO Brayden Howie issues the call for Australian corporates to reevaluate their current levels of social impact and shares advice on how business executives looking to scale their CSR impact, should include building trusted networks and enlisting the help of experienced partners.
Following the recent news outdoor fashion brand Patagonia would be given away in an effort to fight climate change, Howie issues the call for Australian corporates to reevaluate their current levels of social impact and shares advice on how business executives looking to scale their CSR impact, should include building trusted networks and enlisting the help of experienced partners.
“Environmental causes are worthy and needed, but there is still so much immediate human need begging for attention,” said Howie.
“What we need to see are companies who rely on global supply chains and low-cost overseas labour giving back to issues of human poverty and inequality. I believe companies themselves have a large role to play in promoting these CSR initiatives and delivering impact to the causes they support.”
Brayden highlighted that Patagonia is a brand that makes their money from exploring the natural world and that their extraordinary commitment to climate change is in perfect alignment their company mission and philosophy.
“It shows how business leaders increasingly feel they have permission to genuinely translate their company’s values into action. I encourage more companies to channel a similar synergy, and effectively, put their money where their mission is,” said Brayden Howie.
The sustained trend for companies reliant on the natural world seeking to give back to the environment has been widely observed. In stark contrast, Howie calls attention to a shortfall in the level of passion and public profile put behind other social causes, such as those concerning global poverty.
“Companies today need to be serious about their missions and their values. Your money needs to be where your mission is, and your mission needs to contribute positively to the world – not just your shareholders,” he added.
“As companies align social objectives with business objectives, they open new doors for potential impact on some of the world’s most pressing and challenging global poverty issues.”
Consumers have long been considered the driving force behind companies taking on greater social responsibility. The notion in business that social good is acceptable only to the point it contributes to making profit, or at the least does not inhibit, it has long passed. With a renewed and genuine interest from business leaders and new entrepreneurs in aligning their work to their own values.
Related: What if you didn’t need to budget for CSR?
“I think there is some level of generation impact influencing this wave of change. When we experience such unprecedented access to information, globalised social connection and wealth that provides for greater consideration of more globalised need, we see greater action,” explains Howie.
Action on Poverty’s work connecting philanthropists, corporates, non-profits, and innovators with grassroots communities and projects to break the cycle of entrenched poverty, has offered Howie a unique insight into challenges faced by changemakers seeking to have an impact on international development issues.
“Whilst these trends are very exciting for international development and there is great potential for impact, there are certainly also risks with this ‘for purpose’ trend. The best advice I can give is to seek advice from experienced partners. These are professionals who have spent years working on the ground and know the context firsthand.”
Action on Poverty works across 14 countries to connect philanthropists, corporates, non-profits, and innovators with developing communities and local NGOs across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
Menchie Khairuddin is a writer Deputy Content Manager at Akolade and content producer for Third Sector News. She is passionate about social affairs specifically in mixed, multicultural heritage and not-for-profit organisations.
