---
title: The 3 branches of corporate social responsibility (CSR)
description: Transparency-One helps companies meet their CSR goals by empowering them to identify, understand, and analyze their supply chains at any level.
image: https://insights.isnetworld.com/hubfs/person-s-left-hand-holding-green-leaf-plant-886521-768x494.jpg
---

ISN NEWS

>

[ADM Selects ISN® to Help Streamline Global Contractor Management](https://insights.isnetworld.com/isn-blog/adm-selects-isn?hsLang=en)

[Terra-Gen Selects ISN® to Help Streamline Contractor Management and Strengthen Safety Processes](https://insights.isnetworld.com/isn-blog/terra-gen-selects-isn?hsLang=en)

[National Grid Celebrates 17-Year Partnership with ISN®](https://insights.isnetworld.com/isn-blog/national-grid-celebrates-17-years-with-isn?hsLang=en)

[Buckman Selects ISN® to Unify Contractor Management Across Operations](https://insights.isnetworld.com/isn-blog/buckman-selects-isn?hsLang=en)

[McEwen Inc. Selects ISNetworld® to Help Advance Sustainability Goals and Strengthen Jobsite Safety](https://insights.isnetworld.com/isn-blog/mcewen-inc-selects-isnetworld?hsLang=en)

Need Assistance? [FAQs](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/faqs) [Contact Us](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contact-us)

<https://www.isnetworld.com/en/>

- Solutions 
    - [ISNetworld Platform](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-software)
    - [For Hiring Clients](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-software/hiring-clients)
    - [For Contractors / Suppliers](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-software/contractors-suppliers)
    - [Empower™](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/empower)
    - [For Workers](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/empower)
    - [Services](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services)
    - [Contractor Prequalification & Ongoing Monitoring](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/contractor-prequalification-ongoing-monitoring)
    - [HSE Management](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/hse-management)
    - [Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG)](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/environmental-social-governance)
    - [Safety Culture](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/safety-culture)
    - [Supply Chain Cybersecurity](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/supply-chain-cybersecurity)
    - [Insurance & Financial Risk Management](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/insurance-financial-risk-management)
    - [Employee-Level Training & Qualifications](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/employee-level-training-qualifications)
    - [Third-Party Data](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/third-party-data)
    - [Analytics & Reporting](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/analytics-reporting)
- Our Customers 
    - [Hiring Clients](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/our-customers/hiring-clients)
    - [Contractors / Suppliers](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/our-customers/contractors-suppliers)
- Events 
    - ISNetworld Events
    - [Upcoming Events](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/events)
- Newsroom 
    - [News](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/newsroom/news)
    - [Blog](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/newsroom/blog)
    - [Publications](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/newsroom/publications)
    - [Video Library](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/newsroom/video-library)
- About 
    - [Company Overview](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/company-overview)
    - [Global Operations](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/global-operations)
    - [Leadership](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/leadership-team)
    - [Boards of Directors](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/boards-of-directors)
    - [In the Community](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/in-the-community)
    - [Careers at ISN](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/careers)

- Solutions 
    - [ISNetworld Platform](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-software)
    - [For Hiring Clients](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-software/hiring-clients)
    - [For Contractors/Suppliers](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-software/contractors-suppliers)
    - [Empower™](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/empower)
    - [For Workers](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/empower)
    - [Services](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services)
    - [Contractor Prequalification & Ongoing Monitoring](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/contractor-prequalification-ongoing-monitoring)
    - [HSE Management](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/hse-management)
    - [Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG)](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/environmental-social-governance)
    - [Safety Culture](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/safety-culture)
    - [Supply Chain Cybersecurity](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/supply-chain-cybersecurity)
    - [Insurance & Financial Risk Management](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/insurance-financial-risk-management)
    - [Employee-Level Training & Qualifications](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/employee-level-training-qualifications)
    - [Third-Party Data](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/third-party-data)
    - [Analytics & Reporting](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/analytics-reporting)
- Our Customers 
    - [Hiring Clients](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/our-customers/hiring-clients)
    - [Contractors & Suppliers](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/our-customers/contractors-suppliers)
- Events 
    - [Upcoming Events](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/events)
- Newsroom 
    - [News](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/newsroom/news)
    - [Blog](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/newsroom/blog)
    - [Publications](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/newsroom/publications)
    - [Video Library](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/newsroom/video-library)
- About 
    - [Company Overview](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/company-overview)
    - [Global Operations](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/global-operations)
    - [Leadership](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/leadership-team)
    - [Boards of Directors](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/boards-of-directors)
    - [In the Community](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/in-the-community)
    - [Careers at ISN](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/careers)

[Customer Sign Up](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/signup)

- English 
    - [English](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/)
    - [Deutsch](https://www.isnetworld.com/de/)
    - [Español](https://www.isnetworld.com/es/)
    - [Français](https://www.isnetworld.com/fr/)
    - [Nederlands](https://www.isnetworld.com/nl/)
    - [Norsk](https://www.isnetworld.com/nb/)
    - [Português](https://www.isnetworld.com/pt/)
    - [한국어](https://www.isnetworld.com/ko/)

[Schedule a Demo](https://share.hsforms.com/1SD4hMp-rTOi-vn_9HOcHGwd1n43)

[![Login](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21911619/7f962a4a-4f3f-4156-bfa0-8707e05c5bfe.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21911619/7f962a4a-4f3f-4156-bfa0-8707e05c5bfe)

[Back to all blogs](https://insights.isnetworld.com/isn-blog)

### Jan 21, 2020 in Transparency-One,Sustainability

## The 3 branches of corporate social responsibility (CSR)

##### Written By:

##### ISN Team

##### Read Time:

##### 2 min read

Corporate social responsibility, or CSR, is now a basic tenet of any good business strategy. Due to a shift in consumer expectations over the past decade, companies are finding ways to ensure their operations are more “socially responsible.” This has led businesses to develop CSR initiatives that are intended to reduce their impact on the planet and help contribute to a more sustainable and ethical world.

CSR is a broad term that can take many forms. As a society, we are facing several issues today—from sustainability to social justice—and companies choose to address those that make the most sense for their business and industry. Most CSR initiatives fall under one of the following three categories.

1. ##### **Environmental**

A company’s environmental CSR goals are typically the most well-known, due to media coverage and high consumer interest. Sustainability is a hot topic and consumers expect businesses to take steps to address their environmental impact on the planet.

Environmental goals typically address a company’s net emissions, recycling efforts, waste reduction efforts, and/or sustainable packaging. Common goals include achieving a “circular economy,” where materials are reused or recycled with the ultimate goal of eliminating waste, and becoming “carbon neutral,” which involves reducing or removing emissions to offset a company’s carbon footprint.

Environmental CSR goals include:

- [PepsiCo](https://www.pepsico.com/sustainability/our-goals): Reduce absolute GHG emissions across their value chain by 20% by 2030
- [Microsoft](https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2020/01/16/microsoft-will-be-carbon-negative-by-2030/): Become “carbon negative” by 2030
- [Unilever](https://www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/reducing-environmental-impact/waste-and-packaging/rethinking-plastic-packaging/): Ensure 100% of plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025
- [Danone](https://www.danone.com/about-danone/sustainable-value-creation/our-company-goals.html): Implement carbon positive solutions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050

1. ##### **Social and human rights**

Social CSR goals address how the workers involved in the creation of a product, from the original source to the final product, are treated. This can involve specific issues such as fair wages, fair treatment (e.g. appropriate working conditions, limited working hours), and safe facilities, as well as broader issues such as forced labor, modern slavery, and child labor.

Certain industries in particular are strongly associated with social and human rights issues. For example, child labor is common in cocoa, coffee, cotton, and gold supply chains. Many countries have also implemented regulations around modern slavery and human rights, such as [Australia](https://www.transparency-one.com/australia-passes-modern-slavery-legislation/), the [United Kingdom](https://www.transparency-one.com/compliant-uk-modern-slavery-act/), and [France](https://www.transparency-one.com/regulation-devoir-de-vigilance/).

Social CSR goals include:

- [AB InBev](https://www.ab-inbev.com/sustainability/2025-sustainability-goals/smart-agriculture.html): 100% of direct farmers will be skilled, connected, and financially empowered
- [Barry Callebaut](https://www.barry-callebaut.com/en/group/forever-chocolate/sustainability-reporting/forever-chocolate-progress-report-2018-19/forever-chocolate-zero-child-labor): Eradicate child labor from their supply chain
- [adidas](https://www.adidas-group.com/en/sustainability/managing-sustainability/general-approach/#/people-priorities-for-2020/): Empower supply chain workers by expanding and refining grievance systems and skill training programs

1. ##### **Supply chain and sourcing**

Supply chain or sourcing CSR goals focus on ensuring supply chains are transparent and traceable. For businesses, this translates to knowing who their suppliers are, where they are located, where their raw materials come from, and how they were sourced.

Such initiatives often involve publishing lists of Tier 1+ suppliers, achieving a certain percentage of responsibly-sourced materials, or even committing to broader transparency and traceability objectives for critical supply chains.

Supply chain and sourcing CSR goals include:

- [Mars](https://www.mars.com/about/policies-and-practices/cocoa-and-forests-policy): Source Responsible Cocoa across the entire supply chain by 2025
- [Tapestry Inc.](https://live-cinchost.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Tapestry_2025_Goals_V2.pdf): 95% traceability and mapping of raw materials by 2025
- [Campbell’s](https://www.campbellcsr.com/cr/commitments.html): Achieve 100% traceability of priority raw materials to country of origin

For a comprehensive CSR strategy, businesses should make multiple commitments that address all branches of corporate social responsibility: environmental, social, and supply chain/sourcing.

Transparency-One helps companies meet their CSR goals by empowering them to identify, understand, and analyze their supply chains at any level. With this knowledge, businesses can collaborate with their supply chain partners, collect critical information on supplier practices and compliance, and proactively monitor and address potential risks.

- ##### Share Story:
- [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://insights.isnetworld.com/isn-blog/the-3-branches-of-corporate-social-responsibility-csr)
- [Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://insights.isnetworld.com/isn-blog/the-3-branches-of-corporate-social-responsibility-csr&text=The%203%20branches%20of%20corporate%20social%20responsibility%20(CSR))
- [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://insights.isnetworld.com/isn-blog/the-3-branches-of-corporate-social-responsibility-csr)

## Related Articles

### [Mar 5, 2020 Digitization to safeguard supply chains There is a lot of talk about digitization of supply chain data, but what does this mean? It is more than just a trend—there is a real reason companies why should be compelled to shift towards Keep Reading](https://insights.isnetworld.com/isn-blog/digitization-to-safeguard-supply-chains?hsLang=en)

### [Mar 3, 2021 In the journey to due diligence, remember the consumer The regulatory landscape around supply chain due diligence is growing. Keep Reading](https://insights.isnetworld.com/isn-blog/in-the-journey-to-due-diligence-remember-the-consumer?hsLang=en)

### [Mar 24, 2021 Responding to the US Customs and Border Protection’s Ban on Xinjiang Cotton The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has increased scrutiny on cotton products coming from China due to concerns around forced labor in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China (XUAR). Keep Reading](https://insights.isnetworld.com/isn-blog/responding-to-the-us-customs-and-border-protections-ban-on-xinjiang-cotton?hsLang=en)

[View All](https://insights.isnetworld.com/isn-blog)

![ISN Logo](https://insights.isnetworld.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/IsnetWorld_December2022/images/footer-logo-ins.png?width=200&name=footer-logo-ins.png "ISN Logo")

- [Contact Us](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contact-us)
- [FAQ](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/faqs)
- [Media Relations](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/media-relations)
- [User Agreements](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/user-agreements/contractor-supplier)
- [Privacy](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/privacy-policy)
- [Trademark Logo Policy](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/trademark-logo/policy)
- [Sitemap](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/sitemap)

- [Contact Us](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contact-us) 
    - [FAQ](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/faqs)
    - [Media Relations](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/media-relations)
    - [User Agreements](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/user-agreements/contractor-supplier)
- [Privacy](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/privacy-policy) 
    - [Trademark Logo Policy](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/trademark-logo/policy)
    - [Sitemap](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/sitemap)

 Request a demo

[![Follow us on Twitter](https://insights.isnetworld.com/hubfs/IsnetWorld_December2022/images/Twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/isnetworld) [![Connect on LinkedIn](https://insights.isnetworld.com/hubfs/IsnetWorld_December2022/images/LinkedIn.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/isn/) [![Connect on Facebook](https://insights.isnetworld.com/hubfs/IsnetWorld_December2022/images/Facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/ISNetworld/)

- ISNetworld Platform 
    - [For Hiring Clients](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-software/hiring-clients)
    - [For Contractors / Suppliers](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-software/contractors-suppliers)
- Empower Platform 
    - [For Workers](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/empower)
- Services 
    - [Contractor Prequalification & Ongoing Monitoring](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/contractor-prequalification-ongoing-monitoring)
    - [HSE Management](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/hse-management)
    - [Environmental, Social, & Governance](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/environmental-social-governance)
    - [Safety Culture](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/safety-culture)
    - [Supply Chain Cybersecurity](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/safety-culture)
    - [Insurance & Financial Risk Management](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/insurance-financial-risk-management)
    - [Employee Level Training & Qualifications](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/employee-level-training-qualifications)
    - [Third-Party Data](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/third-party-data)
    - [Analytics & Reporting](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/contractor-management-services/analytics-reporting)

- Our Customers 
    - [Hiring Clients](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/our-customers/hiring-clients)
    - [Contractors & Suppliers](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/our-customers/contractors-suppliers)
- Events 
    - [Upcoming Events](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/events)
- Newsroom 
    - [News](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/newsroom/news)
    - [Blog](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/newsroom/blog)
    - [Publications](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/newsroom/publications)
    - [Video Library](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/newsroom/video-library)

- About 
    - [Company Overview](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/company-overview)
    - [Global Operations](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/global-operations)
    - [Leadership](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/leadership-team)
    - [Boards of Directors](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/boards-of-directors)
    - [In the Community](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/in-the-community)
    - [Careers at ISN](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/about/careers)

### Download the ISN App

[![Download on Google Play](https://insights.isnetworld.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/IsnetWorld_December2022/images/Google-Play.png?width=200&name=Google-Play.png "Download on Google Play")](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.isnetworld.App&hl=en_US)

[![Download on Apple Store](https://insights.isnetworld.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/IsnetWorld_December2022/images/App-Store.png?width=200&name=App-Store.png "Download on Apple Store")](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/isnetworld/id1060652856?mt=8)

 Request a demo

---

Follow us on:

[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ISNetworld/) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/isnetworld) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/isn/)

  

  

![DNV-GL](https://insights.isnetworld.com/hubfs/IsnetWorld_December2022/images/DNV-GL.png)

![A-LIGN-Logo](https://insights.isnetworld.com/hubfs/IsnetWorld_December2022/images/A-LIGN-Logo.png)

![BBB_white](https://insights.isnetworld.com/hubfs/IsnetWorld_December2022/images/BBB_white.png)

![Seal-ICSS](https://insights.isnetworld.com/hubfs/IsnetWorld_December2022/images/Seal-ICSS.png)

![Campbell-Institute-logo](https://insights.isnetworld.com/hubfs/IsnetWorld_December2022/images/Campbell-Institute-logo.png)

![NSC_white](https://insights.isnetworld.com/hubfs/IsnetWorld_December2022/images/NSC_white.png)

![ISSP-Member-white](https://insights.isnetworld.com/hubfs/IsnetWorld_December2022/images/ISSP-Member-white.png)

![GRI](https://insights.isnetworld.com/hubfs/IsnetWorld_December2022/images/GRI.png)

![Cisco_white](https://insights.isnetworld.com/hubfs/IsnetWorld_December2022/images/Cisco_white.png)

  

  

Copyright © 2026 ISN Software Corporation

[![Cisco Webex logo](https://insights.isnetworld.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/IsnetWorld_December2022/images/Cisco_white.png?width=200&name=Cisco_white.png "Cisco Webex logo")](https://isnetworld.webex.com/webappng/sites/isnetworld/dashboard?siteurl=isnetworld)

### Request A Demo

Fill out the form below and an ISN Team member will contact you to share how ISNetworld can help streamline your contractor management process.

\* Company Classification

×

- Hiring Client
- Contractor/Supplier

[Submit](https://www.isnetworld.com/en/signup)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "ISN Team",
    "url" : "https://insights.isnetworld.com/isn-blog/author/isn-team"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-11-11T20:12:14.514Z",
  "datePublished" : "2020-01-21T14:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "The 3 branches of corporate social responsibility (CSR)",
  "image" : [ "https://insights.isnetworld.com/hubfs/person-s-left-hand-holding-green-leaf-plant-886521-768x494.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://insights.isnetworld.com/isn-blog/the-3-branches-of-corporate-social-responsibility-csr",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://insights.isnetworld.com/hubfs/ISN%20Logos/TCYLogo.png"
    },
    "name" : "ISN"
  }
}
```