The need for responsible and sustainable action in businesses is rising along with a growing demand for concrete models. As discussion in the media escalates, the voluntary nature of these business activities is being increasingly talked about. Companies need to lead the way in the field. There also needs to be effective communication of their corporate strengths and interests and useful means of implementing CSR into businesses.

respACT - austrian business council for sustainable development is the leading platform for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Development in Austria. This association emerged in October 2007 from the fusion of the Austrian Business council for Sustainable Development (ABCSD) and respACT austria.

respACT is a byword for "responsible action" and declares corporations' socially responsible action. Responsible companies focus on five fields of action: organisational leadership, marketplace, workforce, environment and society. respACT - austrian business council for sustainable development responds to all corporations based in Austria: all size of companies - from small business to major corporation.

The most important activities are thought leadership on CSR and Sustainablitity, exchange of best practices, knowledge transfer and education with regards to CSR. Through dialogue with important stakeholders, unresolved issues in these fields are discussed and possible solutions developed. Furthermore, concrete steps towards implementation, which were started by the Initiative "CSR Austria", are continually worked on and expanded upon.

The respACT-mission...

The association supports its members along the path to ecological and social sustainability. In public respACT - austrian business council for sustainable development presents itself as the leader for all questions, concepts and queries regarding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Development.

...and vision

Austrian enterprises are committed to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Development and conduct business along these ideas. It is their firm conviction that economic success as well as social and ecological responsibility cannot be separated. They embrace their responsibility towards marketplace as well as employees, society and environment. CSR is not a PR-tool but rather a management-concept based on the values of Sustainable Development.

Services of respACT - austrian business council for sustainable development

respACT - austrian business council for sustainable development offers the following:

• innovative concepts and projects concerning CSR and sustainability
• a platform to discuss ideas and experiences
• a dialogue with politics, people and media
• promotion of companies' successful sustainability/CSR projects

Furthermore there are special services for members only.

In public respACT - austrian business council for sustainable development is thematic leader concerning all questions and concepts of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Development.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of the platform is composed as follows:

• President: Peter J. Oswald (CEO Europe & International, Mondi)
• Vice President: Herbert Schweiger (CEO, Berndorf Band GmbH)
• Vice President: Heinz Felsner (CEO, EFH Beteiligungs GmbH/Schiekmetall)
• Karl Jung (Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs, OMV)
• Peter Kastner (General Manager, Firmengruppe Kastner)
• Monika Langthaler (managerial associate, brainbows informationsmanagement gmbh)
• Beate McGinn (communications expert, Österreichische Elektrizitätswirtschafts-AG)
• Christian Reisinger (managing director, Metallwerkstatt C. Reisinger)
• Robert Slameczka (CEO, Noris Feuerschutzgeräte GmbH)
• Herta Stockbauer (board member, BKS Bank)
• Andreas Schneider (The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber)
• Wolfram Tertschnig (The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management)

Acting as Managing Director is Roman H. Mesicek. His deputy is Daniela Knieling.

Affiliates

Austrian Business Academy for Sustainable Development (ASD)

Training and further Development for Managers
Brückenschlag Österreich
A World of Learning: Industry and Society
CorporAID
The Initiative for Business and global Poverty Alleviation
CSR Europe
The European Road to sustainable Businesses
Österreichisches Netzwerk Wirtschaftsethik (OeNWE)
Initiative to develop business ethics
TRIGOS
The Reward for responsible Businesses
UN Global Compact
International Initiatives for Businesses and Civil Society
WBCSD World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Finding economic solutions to environmental challenges
Vernetzte Welten
Exchanging ideas between businesses and NGOs

You find further information on our affiliates here.

Structure of the platform

respACT - austrian business council for sustainable development is a platform led by businesses and is financed through the contributions of its member companies and The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, The Federation of Austrian Industry, The Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth, The Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection and The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water management.

Member companies

You find a list of our current member companies here.

News and events

We provide information related to CSR & business ethics in German only on our website, with a newsletter and an exclusive member-information. We also organise events with member companies on pending issues up to four times a year.

Contact

Please find our contact information here.