Social Responsibility

For a long time the Earth has been seen as an unlimited source of raw materials that humans could use to survive. Social responsibility plays an important role in today's businesses world. Our book defines social responsibility as a business obligation to pursue policies, make decisions, and take actions that benefits society. Today, stakeholders not only demand profits but also maximize its positive impact on society. This is also known as sustainability among large corporations.The dictionary defines sustainability as the idea that socially responsible companies will outperform their peers focusing on the world's social problems and viewing them as opportunities to build profits and help the world at the same time. In order to protect our world, companies have developed diverse projects to contribute to the community and environment benefiting the company at the same time.

CEMEX, a global company that distributes building materials all over the world released its 2011 Sustainable Development Report with significant progress in the company's carbon strategy, environmental and biodiversity management, workplace safety, and its contribution to provide affordable housing and infrastructure to communities around the world. "CEMEX achieved a 22.7% reduction on CO2 net emissions per ton of cement produced relative to its 1990 baseline, allowing the avoidance of yearly emissions equivalent to that of 1.3 million cars per year. CEMEX confirms its 25% reduction target by 2015." (CEMEX) This report certainly shows that CEMEX is putting efforts to fulfill environmental and social needs. The project will not just create a positive image to the company but it will probably increase its revenue in the long run.

Another example of sustainability happening in Monterrey comes from Grupo Financiero Banorte, one of Mexico's largest and oldest financial institutions. Banorte worried about the climate change participated along with other companies in a project called "The Impact of Climate Change in the Business." The project consists in a workshop with the participation of several specialists and entrepreneurs that shared the benefits of contributing with the climate change issue. "For us, climate change and carbon reduction is a key priority in our strategy and integrated business objectives in the medium and long term."(Banorte) These types of projects create competitiveness among companies, making it more interesting for them trying to be on the top.

Corporations are taking social responsibility into account and making it a part of their everyday routine. They have improved their ways of conducting usual business activities and manufacturing processes in an effort to reduce pollution and contribute to the environment. Vitro, the leading glass manufacturer in Mexico and one of the world's major glass companies has decided to contribute to the environment. The raw material needed to produce