Page 65 - Design for Environment A Guide to Sustainable Product Development

44 Chapter Thr ee

• Social Venture Network’s Standards of Corporate Social
Responsibility
• Keidanren Charter for Good Corporate Behavior
• Caux Round Table Principles for Business

While the above codes tend to be quite abstract, the Global
Reporting Initiative (GRI) Guidelines are more relevant to DFE
because they provide a standardized framework for sustainability
measurement. GRI was convened in 1997 by Ceres, a nonprofit coali-
tion of over 50 investor, environmental, religious, labor and social
justice groups. The Guidelines include a set of indicators intended to
be applicable to all businesses, as well as sector-specific indicators
and a uniform format for sustainability reporting. GRI has been
lauded for its success in achieving collaboration among businesses
and stakeholders across the world. In 2006 the latest iteration of the
guidelines, called G3, was introduced with a number of en -
hancements for greater clarity, ease of use, and materiality (i.e., rel-
evance).

Ceres Principles

Protection of the Biosphere
• Eliminate harmful releases
• Safeguard habitats and biodiversity
Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
• Sustain renewables (water, soil, forest)
• Conserve nonrenewables
Reduction and Disposal of Wastes
• Source reduction and recycling
• Safe handling and disposal
Energy Conservation
• Conservation
• Energy efficiency
• Environmentally safe energy sources
Risk Reduction
• Minimize employee and community risks
• Safe technologies, facilities, procedures
• Preparation for emergencies