Volvo 2006 Annual Report Download - page 36

The Volvo Group’s mission
The Volvo Group’s mission is to create value for
its shareholders by creating value for its cus-
tomers. Volvo sees sustainable development,
both in environmental and social terms, as a
vital prerequisite for long-term profitability and
increased customer and shareholder value.
The Volvo Group has a strong impact on the
communities in which it operates. The Group’s
companies are major employers as well as pro-
viding work for a large number of subcontract-
ors. The Volvo Group aims to be a strong part-
ner for entrepreneurs, suppliers and other
players in the community and a good employer
for its employees. The Volvo Group aims to pro-
mote prosperity and sustainable development.
The basis of our
sustainability efforts
The Volvo Group strives to conduct responsible
business based on its Code of Conduct, core
values and established guidelines. The Volvo
Group’s Code of Conduct and corporate values
– quality, safety and environment care – form
the basis of the company’s sustainability
efforts.
The Volvo Group’s Code of Conduct
The Volvo Group’s Code of Conduct was
adopted in 2003 and underscores the prin-
ciples by which the Group conducts its relations
with employees, business partners and other
stakeholders. It applies to all employees of the
Volvo Group and to the members of the Board
of Directors.
Suppliers, dealers, consultants and other
business partners are also encouraged to fol-
low these principles. The Code of Conduct is
applied in assessing both current and potential
suppliers.
The Volvo Group’s managers are responsible
for informing their respective organisations
about the content of the Code of Conduct and
Sustainable development
“As a vehicle manufacturer we have major
responsibility for the environment and to con-
tribute to a sustainable society. We view this
responsibility with the greatest seriousness.”
Leif Johansson
.
Long tradition of reporting
AB Volvo published its first environmental report in 1990. Sustainability
efforts have been included in the Group’s annual report since 2002. The
purpose of the sustainability report is to present the Volvo Group’s short-
and long-term sustainability efforts. The sustainability report is based on
the relevant parts of the Sustainability Reporting Guidelines elaborated by
the Global Reporting Initiative and issued in 2006. Unless otherwise
stated, the information relates to the entire Volvo Group.
Key ratios for sustainabillity
2004 2005 2006
Net sales, SEK M 202,171 231,191 248,135
Income after financial items, SEK M 13,036 18,016 20,299
Dividend, SEK M 5,055 6,775 10,120
Number of employees 81,078 81,856 83,187
of which women, % 16 17 17
Total absence due to illness of
regular working hours in the
Group’s Swedish companies, % n/a 5.2 4.7
Energy consumption, MWh/SEK M 13,3 11,6 10, 5
Water consumption, m3/SEK M 42,2 32,1 30,6
Hazardous waste, kg/SEK M 122,1 102,0 108,8
Solvent emissions, kg/SEK M 10,3 8,5 8,3
32 Sustainable development 2006