The SM Store, and it's commitment to CSR

A recent lunch discussion I was having with some friends brought up the question of how do the companies of today distinguish between CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) efforts on one hand, and Sustainability-driven initiatives on the other hand. My argument was that CSR was the historically tried and tested silo for "doing good" and "giving back;" and in the rush to join the Sustainability bandwagon, several companies simply rechristened their CSR activities as "practicing Sustainability.

- PHILIP CU UNJIENG

Whether or not these companies were guided by the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) became a moot point, as these companies would scramble to justify what they had been doing in the past to now be falling under an SDG.

Perhaps cynical of me to say that; but I will stand by that point of view as it does go a long way in explaining why so many of the things done in the name of Sustainability are referred to as "greenwashing," or don't carry that much weight when a company's ESG agenda is really scrutinized. For me, it's good to keep the activities related to CSR and Sustainability distinct, in separate "silos." When there is overlap (and it is inevitable), I'm fine and good with that happening; but it's important to know the rationale and history of each activity, and properly designate them as CSR, or as a Sustainable practice.