Describe the process(es) your organization has in place to ensure that your engagement activities are consistent with your overall climate change strategy[…]All direct and indirect activities that influence policy are managed by the External Affairs team. The VPs of External Affairs in the U.S and Mexico have cross-division insight and in conjunction with our SVP of Public Affairs are advisors to our Corporate Reputation and CSR Group, which manages our Global Environmental Sustainability policy (including climate change strategy). This strategy management by our Corporate Reputation and CSR Group, and continual engagement with the External Affairs team and other key CBI stakeholders, helps ensure consistency between our external engagements and internal commitments to addressing climate-related issues. The External Affairs VPs and SVP have direct communication with the Executive Management Committee (EMC) and the Board, helping to ensure that our external engagements are consistent with our company priorities and strategy.
Our Office of Public Affairs has the exclusive authority to express CBI's position on matters of public policy, including climate-related issues. Restricting such communications to this office ensures that CBI speaks with one voice on matters of public policy. If an inconsistency were found, we would bring together subject matter experts engaged in public policy (VPs of External Affairs, SVP of Public Affairs), our Corporate Environmental Sustainability Sr. manager, Compliance team, and Third-party Consultants discuss and address the issue.
The effectiveness and consistency of our external engagements are enabled by the internal structures to manage our climate change strategy:
The Chief Communications, CSR & Diversity Officer (CCCDO) reports to the CEO and is a member of the EMC. The CSR Group, the Corporate Communications Group, the Investor Relations Group and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Group report to the CCCDO. Each of these functions are critical in managing perceptions around sustainability among our most influential stakeholders, which help us deliver a more consistent and coordinated approach to managing sustainability (including climate change-related) issues. Our CSR and sustainability response is a critical component of our efforts to build awareness of and goodwill towards our corporate brand among consumers, employees, retailers, investors, and other key stakeholders. This reporting structure fully aligns individuals responsible for driving core components of our overall CSR and Sustainability program, and aligns with our business strategy and operations.