Corporate Social Responsibility As A Catalyst For Climate Change Mitigation: Strategies, Challenges, And Impact
- IJLLR Journal
- May 26
- 1 min read
Dr Nivedita Chaudhary, Assistant Professor, Amity Law School, Amity University, Haryana
Dr Vidushi Puri, Assistant Professor, Amity Law School, Amity University, Haryana
1. Contextualising Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has evolved into a fundamental pillar of contemporary corporate governance and ethical decision-making. At its core, it emphasizes that corporations are more than profit-driven machines; they are social entities with responsibilities to both society and the environment. In most researches today, CSR is discussed as an integrated business practice which brings together financial, ethical and sustainable objectives. With the advent of climate change, environmental pollution, and inequality in the society, CSR has transformed from merely a reputation building practice to a business strategy that can drive innovation, competitive advantage, and long-term corporate sustainability. For corporate lawyers in practice or academia, it is essential to understand CSR well in order to advise on compliance, navigate regulatory changes, and develop policies that champion ethical business behavior.
CSR is typically accepted as having started in the early 20th century, but began to gain real traction after the end of the Second World War. By the 1950s, Howard R. Bowen, widely regarded as the “Father of CSR,” suggested that businesses have a responsibility to undertake activities that accomplish the interests of society and its values. In the 1970s, the discussion of CSR in academic circles gained importance. The four-tier framework introduced by Archie B. Carroll, comprising economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic levels of responsibility, indicates that businesses, while having to maintain their profitability, are also required to comply with legal provisions, be more than merely compliant in their practices, and engage in societal welfare initiatives.
