The Radiance of Knowing

When Henry Kravis and his partner George Roberts launched Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) in the mid-seventies with some help from the First Chicago Corporation, their specialty was in “bootstrap” buyouts. But they have established a groundbreaking green project which concentrates not only on how much profit they can produce, but likewise on how environmentally friendly each of the firms in their portfolio are. Green business processes went mainstream in 2008 when KKR’s Henry Kravis and the non-profit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) got together. The coalition intended to campaign against a few big green matters, which include global warming, resource depletion, unmitigated water consumption, and hazardous chemical use. To follow through with this, they use a technique labeled eco-efficiency; this uses concepts such as improving fuel economy through vehicle fleet maintenance, optimizing data centers for efficiency, and increasing the durability of products. Irrespective of the fact that the program was a huge success, staff simply didn’t realize how incredible the effects actually were until Ken Mehlman, the head of the program and global public affairs, reviewed the numbers for the first year. Much to everybody’s surprise, Ken realized that eco-efficiency not only raised environmental awareness, but was increasing the profits from all their businesses too. Nearly all of the business concerns held by Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co and Ken Mehlman today are actively taking part in eco-efficiency principles. Yet, when you consider that the group has a 2009 portfolio with an estimated worth of $86,000,000,000, you can be certain that this wasn’t an easy accomplishment.

KKR with the Environmental Defense Fund alongside Ken Mehlman are expanding the original program. For instance, KKR got together with the EDF’s Climate Corps Program a venture that instructs students studying for an MBA how to introduce cost-effective, ecologically friendly principles.

KKR and Ken Mehlman have been developing products that oversee various resources. These metrics permit any business to assess their progress and identify any practices that might need improving. Henry Kravis, the KKC, and the Environmental Defense Fund have made cutting back their environmental impact more attractive for businesses in every industry. In summary, the work of these organizations has made ecologically friendly business techniques not only viable, but commercially desirable, and their radical ideas are setting a new standard in the competitive business world of today.