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1. Assessment Tool

Boards seeking to develop or evaluate their CSR Governance framework can benchmark their current practices to those identified in the checklist below.

Notes for using the tool
  • CSR definition: CSR is defined as a company’s environment, social and economic performance and the impacts of the company on its internal and external stakeholders. Please tailor the checklist to your company’s chosen CSR terminology.
  • CSR approach: Some boards take an ‘embedded’ approach and integrate CSR throughout their governance mandate; other boards prefer a ‘focused’ model in which they organize their CSR responsibilities into one committee. These Guidelines support either approach, recognizing that ultimately it is important that boards perceive CSR as part of business strategy and risk management.
Elements Guidance Assessment Comments
Yes No Partial In Progress Don't Know Relevant? Notes

1.  Vision and Strategy            
Leading boards demonstrate their commitment to CSR and ensure it is incorporated into the firm's vision and strategy.

1.1 Have board and management agreed on and communicated an explicit commitment to CSR?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.2 Do board and management share a common definition of CSR as it relates to their company, their sector and broader societal trends?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.3 Has the board developed a common understanding of the company’s business case for CSR?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.4 Have board and management developed a CSR vision for the company?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5 Is CSR incorporated into the company’s mission, vision and values?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.6 Does the company Code of Conduct / Ethics incorporate CSR?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.7 Is the board aware of CSR issues specific to the industry?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.8 Are material CSR issues considered in the development of the company’s business strategy?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.9 Are CSR goals incorporated into the company’s business plan / strategy?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Oversight and Accountability 
Leading boards have accountability for CSR.

2.1 Is there a committee(s) with responsibility for CSR (e.g. CSR, Audit or Governance Committee)? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.2 Is there a designated CSR officer with a reporting relationship to the board?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.3 Does the company have a board-approved CSR policy (either stand-alone policy or incorporated into other policies)?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.4 Does the board regularly review progress on the company’s performance against CSR goals, objectives and targets?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
2.5 Is management's compensation linked to performance on CSR goals and targets?              
2.6  Is CSR included as a factor in CEO recruitment?              
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