The History of Henry Kravis of Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co and the Environmental Defense Fund
Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was established in the 70’s and initially the company’s main business was in leveraged buyouts. But only a year ago they have assembled an innovative green project which centers not just on optimized profit margins, but additionally on how environmentally aware each of their companies are.
When Henry Kravis from KKR and the non-profit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) merged in 2008 green matters went mainstream. This alliance wants to campaign against many primary green matters, including toxic chemical use, water pollution, unmitigated consumption of water resources, and global warming.
In order to achieve these goals, they apply eco-efficiency; this calls for techniques such as maximum use of renewable resources, reducing the dispersion of toxic chemicals, and using clean energy. Simple and effective, but the management didn’t realize the totality of the advantages of the project until the head of the program and global public affairs, Ken Mehlman, reviewed the numbers from the project after a full year in operation.
Much to everybody’s surprise, Ken saw that utilizing eco-efficiency not only reduced the overall impact on the environment, but was increasing the profitability of all their businesses as well. At the time of writing, KKR and Ken Mehlman have almost every associated business involved in eco-efficiency techniques. Still, when you consider that the group has a 2009 portfolio valued at 86,000,000,000 USD, you may be sure that this was not an easy feat.
The initial Green Portfolio project now includes new ventures. The Climate Corps Program founded by the Environmental Defense Fund is a great illustration of this, it promotes cost efficient, green techniques to interns taking an MBA. What is more, Ken Mehlman has been working closely with Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co to produce a package of metrics and analytical tools that companies can use to evaluate and oversee resources. With this information available, businesses may easily analyze their everyday activities and find out exactly how they can resolve any issues while at the same time seeing their progress. Today’s business community has been altered permanently by the efforts of these people. In summary, the work of these organizations has made environmentally friendly business practice not only viable, but commercially desirable, and their radical ideas are setting a new standard in the competitive business world of today.