As we build up to the release of our new sustainability tracking software for sport, events and venues, we are running a series of articles digging deeper into the areas that organisations in this space will want to track. Next up - Corporate Social Responsibility, or CSR.

What is CSR?

CSR involves your organisation meeting a balance of your economic, social and environmental imperatives to achieve success as a company while also integrating societal concerns and stakeholder demands into the operations of the business. This is vitally important because, for large, impactful organisations, sustainable global development is more important than a single-minded focus on profit - as your customers and stakeholders are demanding.

Key areas covered by CSR obviously include environmental impact and similarly large societal concerns, but it also covers internal governance: working conditions, gender balance, anti-corruption and more.

Which United Nations Sustainable Development Goals does it particularly relate to?

Take a look at 3 Good Health and Well-Being, 4 Quality Education, 5 Gender Equality, 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, 10 Reduced Inequalities, 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, 13 Climate Action, and 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

Why should you track it?

For society to be able to tackle huge global challenges such as climate change and inequality, large organisations need to take their obligations to the world around them more and more seriously. Internally too, proving your social responsibility naturally brings in benefits in improved reputation, increased customer loyalty, better risk management and more informed decision-making.

Consumers are demanding higher and higher standards of organisations, big and small. Impact reported that "77% of consumers are more likely to use companies that are committed to making the world a better place" and that "73% of investors state efforts to improve the environment and society play into their investment decision-making".

Your organisation balancing its economic goals with its social impact - and proving that it is doing so - is no longer a choice.

Which metrics should you be looking at?

Think internal and external here. Tracking areas like gender pay equality, sick leave, maternity leave, and policy reviews (such as anti-corruption) will allow you to make changes that make your organisation a better, healthier place to work for your staff.

However, CSR goes further than the (virtual?) walls of your business. On a 'micro' level, consider charitable contributions and work in the community; on a 'macro' level, consider carbon emissions and your supply chain.

WeTrack's Sustainability Tracking Software

Track sustainability properly: improve your standards, hit your targets and share your achievements. WeTrack is building sustainability tracking software for sports organisations, major events and venues. Your customers are demanding that you track sustainability and we are giving you the tool to do that: managing your information in one place, collaborating with and engaging your team - and having confidence, and proof, that you are making a positive impact on the world around you.

Get in touch to learn more about how we are helping organisations like you to track their sustainability. Or, watch our short introduction to WeTrack. Thanks for reading!