The History of Henry Kravis of Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co and the Environmental Defense Fund
Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was established in the seventies and in those days their specialty was in highly leveraged transactions. Pushing further, hoping to make the businesses they take over greener, they have launched an exceptional green proposal which has dramatically changed the method by which businesses and environmental groups function. KKR’s Henry Kravis and the New York based Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) got together in 2008, with the intention of making environmentally sound business operation an accepted principle. These companies wants to fight a few serious matters damaging the environment, including depletion of the ozone layer, greenhouse gas emissions, disproportionate consumption of water resources, and hazardous chemicals.
Eco-efficiency (a phrase first endorsed by the WBCSD) is the methodology leveraged to achieve these targets, utilizing techniques like waste reduction, using clean energy and recycling programs. Irrespective of the fact that the program was an enormous success, no-one understood how incredible the consequences really were until Ken Mehlman, the head of the Green Portfolio Project and global public affairs, finished the first annual review. Much to everybody’s surprise, Ken found that practicing eco-efficiency not only lessened the impact on the planet, but was also increasing the profits from each business as well. Just about all of the commercial organizations held by KKR and Ken Mehlman at present use eco-efficiency. Still, when you consider that the group has a current portfolio with a worth of 86,000,000,000 USD, you can be sure this was not a simple feat. The two organizations along with Ken Mehlman are further expanding the initial program. The Climate Corps Program set up by the Environmental Defense Fund is a good example of this, it promotes eco-efficient business principles to MBA interns.
What is more, Ken Mehlman has cooperated closely with Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co to formulate a package of metrics and other applicable products which businesses can utilize to evaluate and administer resources. These systems can assess a company’s environmental impact and identify any areas that might need improving.
Today’s business world has been changed forever by the work of Henry Kravis, the KKC, and the Environmental Defense Fund. In summary, these systems have made green business practice not only viable, but commercially desirable, and their novel ideas are setting a new standard in today’s business community.
