A ground-breaking study aimed at improving corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the UK timber industry is under way.
The £118,000 initiative, funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) and industry, will include case studies on six TTF member companies to help produce best practice guidelines and influence government policy.
CSR drivers and trends in the industry’s structure will be examined, along with issues such as sustainability, the way companies do business, how they interact with communities and deal with NGO campaigns.
The study will identify business options for TTF members to improve their CSR performance in response to stakeholder behaviour, as well as providing practical guidance.
Results will feed into the TTF’s ongoing review of environmental purchasing policy and identify any changes to government policy promoting CSR in the timber trade.
Recommendations will also be made for the Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs’ procurement policy, together with clear guidelines for overseas suppliers to help give peace of mind to UK customers.
Andy Roby, who has been seconded from DFID to the TTF as CSR adviser, said: “Different companies respond in different ways. Some are sticking their heads in the sand hoping it will all blow over, while others are saying ‘we’ve got to deal with it and source from more responsible suppliers’.”
Mr Roby said a more detailed study of the relationship between the industry and NGOs could be on the cards, depending on interest from members. It could help better relations between the two sides and improve the trade’s reputation.
A workshop will be held in September, when the study’s findings will also be published.
