CorpComms Magazine

Scottish businesses have increased corporate citizenship and sustainability spending in tough economic climes, according to a new report.

A study of the CSR policies of 12 leading Scottish companies by Glasgow-based weekly the Sunday Herald revealed that most were either maintaining or significantly boosting sustainability budgets in spite of the economic crisis. 

The strongest CSR performance was recorded at savings and investments company Standard Life, with a 12 per cent rise in sustainability spending. Engineering firm Weir Group also registered an eight per cent growth in CSR budgets year-on-year, whilst spending at energy suppliers Wood Group rose by five per cent. At both companies, health and safety constituted a considerable portion of this spend. 

Others identified as executing strong CSR policies were the recently nationalised Royal Bank of Scotland, public transport company FirstGroup and gas and electricity supplier Scottish and Southern Energy.

The findings suggest sustainability is working its way onto a list of corporate must-haves. Earlier this year, a major international survey of corporate social responsibility professionals conducted by recruitment firm Acre resources, CSR consultancy Acona and Ethical Performance magazine found that UK CSR salaries had risen by ten per cent in spite of the global economic crisis.

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