Volvo 2004 Annual Report Download - page 44

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Environmental
management
systems in place
96% of all em-
ployees within
Volvo Group pro-
duction are work-
ing in accordance
with certified en-
vironmental man-
agement systems.
The objective is that
all employees should
be encompassed by the
environmental manage-
ment systems.
Other areas within the
Group, such as product devel-
opment and the marketing organ-
izations, are also covered by environmen-
tal management systems.
Education plays an important role and
all employees must complete a basic
environmental training program.
Specialists within the Volvo Group are
trained to deal with specific environmen-
tal issues related to their areas.
Product development with a holistic
view
Up to 90% of a product’s total environ-
mental impact occurs during its use,
through the release of carbon dioxide and
other emissions. This makes it necessary
for us to adopt a total view when it comes
Environmental care expresses our com-
mitment to improve energy and resource
efficiency and to reduce emissions in all
aspects of our business, with a special
focus on the use of our products.
The increasing demand for transport
sets focus on the transport-related contri-
bution to global environmental problems.
The Volvo Group and the industry as a
whole are aware of this state of affairs.
The challenge for Volvo is to develop solu-
tions that fulfil society’s needs and limit
impact on the environment.
We have a good track record in the
environmental area. Our efforts have
resulted in products that are increasingly
environmentally adapted. We have signifi-
cantly reduced the impact from our pro-
duction facilities and internal transports.
These efforts are ongoing. Our environ-
mental agenda focuses on energy effi-
ciency, lower emissions and alternative
fuels.
Environmental policy with a holistic
approach
The Group’s environmental policy is the
primary and guiding instrument for our
environmental efforts. The policy makes it
clear that Volvo’s environmental program
shall be characterized by a holistic view,
continuous improvement, technical devel-
opment and increased resource efficien-
cy. The policy is broken down into strat-
egies and goals in the organization.
Since 1996, we have also imposed
demands on the environmental efforts of
our suppliers and dealers. Environmental
requirements form part of our evaluation
of suppliers and our subsequent pur-
chases.
Decentralized environmental
organization
Responsibility for the environmental
efforts at production facilities is a regular
aspect of operational responsibility. All of
our production facilities have a dedicated
environmental coordinator. When it
comes to emission levels, fuel consump-
tion and choice of material, for the prod-
ucts, those questions are dealt with by the
development units at the respective busi-
ness areas and the Groupwide develop-
ment units. Each unit has an environmen-
tal manager. The Volvo Group also has
internal consultants, with specialist com-
petences in chemicals, life cycle assess-
ments, environmental audits and environ-
mental protection.
At the Group level, coordinating
responsibility lies with the Environmental
Affairs function. There is also a Group-
wide Environmental Council, which com-
prises the environmental managers of the
various business areas and business
units. Karl-Erling Trogen, member of the
Group Executive Committee, is the Chair-
man of the Volvo Group Environmental
Council.
42 Corporate values
CARE FOR THE
ENVIRONMENT