Ecosocial work through corporate social responsibility: the case of company engagement with civil society in coastal communities in Mauritius

Abstract

This article presents a case study of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in coastal areas of Mauritius where company CSR work has brought new ways of engaging with communities. The study examines in what ways companies are involved in ecosocial work and what the challenges and possibilities are from an environmental justice perspective. Based on interviews with representatives of companies and other organizations involved with CSR the study shows that CSR involvement in ecosocial work may bring possibilities for advancing environmental justice for local communities as it can enhance resources and capacity building, as well as bring actors together and play a role in advocacy and empowerment work. Challenges include that companies may have difficulties in contributing to greater justice in terms of community involvement. Moreover, inequalities and substantial environmental justice issues, such as access to land and safe housing, are difficult to fully address through a CSR framework.

Imagining the ecosocial within social work

“…The theoretical article addresses the socio‐ecological crisis and the necessity for social work to apply an ecosocial approach (Peeters, 2012). The empirical articles deal with several topics: the first concerns corporate social responsibility (CSR) regarding social work in Mauritius (Backlund Rambaree, 2020); the second discusses disaster preparedness with respect to natural disasters and social work (Boetto et al, 2021); the third empirical article regards ecosocial work in relation to community resilience and water activism in Guelph (Canada) (Case, 2017); the fourth centres on ecosocial consequences of overfishing in Bönan (Sweden) (Rambaree et al, 2019); while the fifth and last empirical article considers social work interventions in eco‐neighbourhoods in Portugal (Rocha, 2018).…”

“…These articles articulate a holistic ontological understanding of the ecosocial. When describing the relationship between the social and the ecological, they use words such as interlinked , interdependent and interconnectivity (Backlund Rambaree, 2020; Boetto et al, 2021; Case, 2017; Peeters, 2012; Rambaree et al, 2019; Rocha, 2018). For instance, Rambaree et al write that humans are ‘intrinsically embedded in mutually dependent relationships within the larger ecosystem’ (2019, p. 232).…”

“…Despite their ontological position, these articles mainly value humans: the human is the central subject throughout the articles (Backlund Rambaree, 2020; Boetto et al, 2021; Case, 2017; Peeters, 2012; Rambaree et al, 2019; Rocha, 2018). Occasionally, the non‐human is valued as well.…”

“…Nevertheless, it is seldom (in fact hardly ever) valued in isolation. Some write about value in an abstract manner: Backlund Rambaree states that we must work ‘towards greater sustainability and enhanced well‐being’ (2020, p. 59; emphasis added). Others offer concrete examples: Rambaree et al, who discuss ecosocial change in the fishing community Bönan (Sweden), argue that we must ‘advocate […] for the protection of the coastal ecosystems’ (2019, p. 244).…”

I Trends in Environmental Activism

“…Research will need to stay abreast of the evolving strategies and tactics adopted by environmental movements (Rambaree, 2020;Kidwell, 2020), focusing on how activists collaborate across borders, share knowledge, and influence global decision-making processes. A significant part of this work will involve examining how activists achieve successful campaigns, the impact of direct action, civil disobedience, and non-violent protest, as well as the use of digital platforms and social media for mobilization and advocacy (Farrier & Klein, 2017;Sempertegui, 2021;Foos, 2021).…”