The History of Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co & the Environmental Defense Fund
Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was set up by Henry Kravis and George Roberts in the 1970’s with help from the First Chicago Corporation. Moving further, hoping to make their acquisitions have less of a negative environmental impact, they have rolled out a remarkable proposal that has fundamentally changed the method by which businesses and environmental groups operate. Environmentally sound business procedures went mainstream last year when Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co’s Henry Kravis and the New York based Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) got together. Significant issues like hazardous emissions and steep consumption of water resources are a priority in their corporate mission.
To follow through with these goals, they use a routine called eco-efficiency which involves concepts like reducing the intensity of materials, optimizing data centers for efficiency, and maximum use of renewable resources. The project was initially well received, however the management didn’t realize the full advantages of the program until Ken Mehlman, the executive responsible for the Green Portfolio Project, studied the program when it had been up and running for a year. Much to everybody’s surprise, Ken learned that this program not only enhanced environmental awareness, but also increased the profitability of all their companies as well. Nearly all of the commercial concerns owned by KKR and Ken Mehlman today participate in the Green Portfolio Project. However, when you consider that the group has a current portfolio with a value of $86,000,000,000, you may be certain this wasn’t a simple see what a tremendous achievement this is. The Green Portfolio project now includes new opportunities. For instance, KKR got together with the EDF’s Climate Corps Program which teaches MBA students how to encourage cost-effective, green practices. Furthermore, Ken Mehlman has worked closely with Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co to produce analytical tools which companies can employ to measure and manage a number of resources. This type of info is crucial as businesses can measure all of their day to day activities and find out exactly how any problems can be solved while at the same time allowing them to discover their ecological impact. Henry Kravis, the KKC, and the Environmental Defense Fund have encouraged all sorts of businesses to decrease their environmental impact. In conclusion, these systems have made ecologically friendly business practice not only viable, but commercially desirable, and their novel ideas are setting a new standard in today’s world.
