Protecting the Planet — with Ken Mehlman of Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co. Setting an Example
Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was founded in the mid seventies and initially the firm’s specialty was in highly leveraged transactions. But they have launched an unusual green enterprise that centers not solely on how much money they can net, but additionally on how environmentally aware each of the businesses in their portfolio are.
KKR’s Henry Kravis and the independent Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) got together last year, with the intention of making environmentally aware business practice an accepted idea. Their corporate mission is to encourage firms to avoid environmental menaces such as hazardous waste and any preposterous consumption of water resources. In order to accomplish this, they apply a methodology dubbed eco-efficiency, this uses concepts like optimizing data centers for efficiency, using clean energy, and reducing the intensity of materials. Irrespective of the fact that the project was a tremendous success, no-one realized how significant the results really were until Ken Mehlman, the man in charge of the project, finished the review of the first twelve months.
Surpassing all expectations, Ken saw that practicing eco-efficiency not only lessened the impact on the environment, but also increased the profitability of every business organization as well. Almost all of the businesses owned by KKR and Ken Mehlman today are actively involved in the project. All The Same, with a 2009 portfolio valued at 86,000,000,000 dollars, you may be sure this was no easy accomplishment.
The Green Portfolio project has now expanded to include new initiatives. For instance, KKR got together with the EDF’s Climate Corps Program an organization which teaches students taking an MBA how to introduce cost-efficient, earth friendly practices. KKR and Ken Mehlman have been developing a package of metrics which oversee resources. This type of info is critical as companies may easily assess their day to day procedures and identify how any problems can be solved while at the same time allowing them to view how green they are becoming. Henry Kravis, the KKR, and the Environmental Defense Fund are true pioneers in the world of green business. Their innovations have made going green simpler for companies in every industry and proved that making profits need not entail the hefty price of negatively impacting our planet.
