sain t-gobain annu al report 2008 annual report
sain t-gobain annu al report 2008 annual report
sain t-gobain annu al report 2008 annual report
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Sustainable<br />
development<br />
34<br />
Sustainable development,<br />
at the heart of the Group’s strategy<br />
Sustainable development is centr<strong>al</strong> to our strategy<br />
at Saint-Gobain and is a cruci<strong>al</strong> issue for the Group.<br />
Leader in the habitat and construction markets, the Group<br />
offers innovative and efficient solutions to the ch<strong>al</strong>lenges<br />
of saving energy and protecting the environment.<br />
Such solutions include low emissivity glass, which helps<br />
to reduce heat loss while <strong>al</strong>lowing rooms to be warmed<br />
by direct sunshine, combined glass wool and plasterboard<br />
insulation products, and solar panels offering an <strong>al</strong>ternative<br />
energy source.<br />
Our Research and Development teams are working on further<br />
energy-saving solutions for the future, such as more energy<br />
efficient lighting systems, and fuel cells for generating<br />
electricity and heating water in the home.<br />
Considering our strategic positioning in these markets,<br />
it is essenti<strong>al</strong> that our sustainable development performance<br />
is beyond reproach. Rather than simply complying<br />
with regulations, we take a highly committed stance<br />
on minimizing the environment<strong>al</strong> impact of our processes,<br />
protecting the he<strong>al</strong>th and safety of our employees, and making<br />
proper <strong>al</strong>lowance for labor and soci<strong>al</strong> issues in <strong>al</strong>l our business<br />
activities.<br />
A cross-function<strong>al</strong> approach<br />
Sustainable development initiatives are organized on a<br />
cross-function<strong>al</strong> basis and coordinated by Compagnie<br />
de Saint-Gobain. One of the main topics discussed at last<br />
September’s <strong>annu</strong><strong>al</strong> senior management seminar attended<br />
by the 150 top executives in the Group was our response<br />
to the ch<strong>al</strong>lenges of environment<strong>al</strong> protection and corporate<br />
soci<strong>al</strong> responsibility. This highlights the pride of place given<br />
to sustainable development at Saint-Gobain. The approach<br />
is based first and foremost on close cooperation between<br />
sever<strong>al</strong> departments:<br />
The Environment, He<strong>al</strong>th and Safety (EHS) Department,<br />
which oversees and monitors employee he<strong>al</strong>th and safety<br />
in the workplace and environment<strong>al</strong> compliance at <strong>al</strong>l Group<br />
facilities worldwide. The department <strong>al</strong>so works<br />
with the Research Department, the Corporate Marketing<br />
Department and the Sectors to ensure that sustainable<br />
development considerations are taken into account<br />
in the Group’s products and solutions.<br />
The Employee Relations, Training and Executive Career<br />
Management units support the Group’s development<br />
by providing the skill-sets that best match its needs,<br />
while responding to the aspirations of employees.<br />
The Responsible Development Department issues<br />
the Principles of Conduct and Action, and educates employees<br />
on their application. It <strong>al</strong>so works with the divisions,<br />
businesses or regions on rolling down the Principles<br />
to reflect loc<strong>al</strong> situations.<br />
These departments are supported by robust networks within<br />
the various businesses and regions, helping to guarantee<br />
a consistent approach to responsible and sustainable<br />
development, both at glob<strong>al</strong> level and within each entity,<br />
where it is tailored to loc<strong>al</strong> circumstances.<br />
Saint-Gobain - <strong>2008</strong> Annu<strong>al</strong> Report