Any company reflects the individuals in it, and Bain is no exception. Corporate social responsibility is entwined in Bain's DNA because Bain's people believe so deeply in it. Our passion has led to a broad companywide commitment.
Green Teams
Bain has 22 active Green Teams around the world, every one of which is a grassroots effort founded and led by employees who share new ideas and best practices for improving the firm's environmental sustainability. The Green Teams have made a huge impact on Bain's resource consumption, promoting third-party energy audits of Bain offices, double-sided printing, use of recycle paper, energy-efficient lightbulbs, video conferencing when possible instead of travel and even an Ugly Mug contest to encourage people to bring their ugliest coffee mug from home to use instead of disposable cups.
Carbon neutrality
Inspired by the Green Teams, Bain has launched an effort that will make the firm carbon neutral by 2012. The goal for 2011: carbon neutrality for our offices and internal travel through more videoconferencing, greater use of green energy and emission-offset credits. We're also investing in four major projects designed to reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions: wind power in India, old-growth forests in California, methane capture in China and biomass energy generation in Brazil.
Supporting our clients' sustainability efforts
Bain's expertise in the environment and other areas of corporate social responsibility attracts clients who want to boost their own social performance. Consider Lavazza, the global coffee company based in Turin, Italy. Lavazza had many social initiatives in place but lacked a cohesive strategy. Bain helped the company create a focused plan that would minimize its impact on the environment and support communities of coffee cultivators throughout Latin America.
