Volvo 2007 Annual Report Download - page 36
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Please find page 36 of the 2007 Volvo annual report below. You can navigate through the pages in the report by either clicking on the pages listed below, or by using the keyword search tool below to find specific information within the annual report.Sustainable development
Sustainable development is an integral component of the daily
operations of the Volvo Group. Incorporated in the Group’s mis-
sion statement is the requirement that its products are to be of
superior quality, safety and environmental care.
Volvo views sustainable development, both in
environmental and social terms, as a vital con-
dition for long-term profi tability and increased
customer and shareholder value.
An active approach to sustainability
The Volvo Group strives to conduct responsible
business based on its Code of Conduct,
corporate values and other established guide-
lines. The Code of Conduct, adopted in 2003,
underscores the principles by which the Group
conducts its relations with employees, busi-
ness partners and other stakeholders. It
applies to all employees and to the Board of
32 En global koncern 2007
Directors. Suppliers, dealers, consultants and
other business partners are also encouraged
to follow these principles.
Environmental care, quality and safety rep-
resent the Group’s corporate values. If the
Volvo Group succeeds in reducing environ-
mental impact, it strengthens its own and its
customer’s competitiveness while promoting
a desirable social goal.
In environmental issues, the Group applies
the prudence principle, prioritizing resource
effi ciency. Environmental efforts are followed
up regularly to ensure their progress toward
established goals.
The Volvo Group’s social responsability
The involvement in social issues is broad-
based. This is signifi cant, since the Group is a
large employer in many communities and
operates in areas of considerable general
interest.
The Code of Conduct, which is based on
the UN declarations, prescribes the Group’s
position on human rights. The Volvo Group
accepts no forms of child labor or forced labor,
endeavors to promote equal rights, justice
and diversity. The Group’s cooperation part-
ners must also comply with these important
principles.
Sustainability organization
The Volvo Group’s efforts to ensure sustainability
are coordinated by a special Group council for
each corporate value. The members of the
councils are those in charge of the various
areas for each business area and business
unit. The Volvo Group applies environmental
management systems in accordance with ISO
14001. The issues are integrated in the oper-
ations and aligned with regular operational
responsibility. Most employees are based in
operations that have certifi ed quality manage-
ment systems as prescribed by ISO 9001:2000
in place. All units have action plans in place
for improvement work. The Volvo Group
requires that its contractors endeavor to
deliver fault-free products and services,
establish quality and environmental manage-
ment systems, focus on continuous improve-
ment and adopt a comprehensive view of the
product lifecycle. Social issues are integrated
part of the supplier evaluations since 2006.
Active dialog with stakeholders
The Volvo Group strives to ensure honest and
forthright communication with the surround-
ing world and maintains an active exchange of
information with stakeholders on many levels
and in many contexts.
High demands on
production and products
Environmental management is a cornerstone
of the Group’s efforts to promote long-term
sustainability. Volvo’s environmental work
focuses on reducing environmental impact
from both the production and the use of its
products.
Environmental management
system in place
The Volvo Group’s fi rst system was certifi ed in
1995. At year-end 2007, 96% of the employ-
ees in the Group’s production units were work-
ing according to certifi ed environmental man-
Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes
The Volvo Group has enjoyed high sustainability
ratings in several surveys including the Dow Jones
Sustainability Index.
The Global Compact
The Volvo Group supports the UN’s Global Com-
pact, which was designed to promote responsible
business enterprise worldwide,
and commits itself to implement-
ing and integrating ten principles
regarding human rights, working
conditions and the environment in
its operations.
32 Board of Directors’ Report 2007