Umwelt
Continued commitment to the environment and CSR
Even if many companies all around the world have been affected by the financial crisis and the subsequent downturn in the economy environmental issues are still a prioritized area. The same goes for the interest in the Code of Conduct, how companies define their ethical position vis-à-vis employees, customers and the society. In this context the concept Code of Conduct is a part of the more comprehensive CSR, Corporate Social Responsibility, i.e. how a company takes responsibility for its operations from a financial, environmental and social point of view.
The international concern about carbon dioxide emissions and emissions of other greenhouse gases that impact the climate, puts pressure on companies, organizations and decision-makers to act. Seen against this background it was a great disappointment for many that the international United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, COP15, produced so few results. Power politics prevailed and the outcome was a weak political declaration.
However, the outcome of COP15 in December 2009 does not halt the current trend. Companies have to adapt their operations to accommodate future emission limits as well as customers’ and consumers’ demands on sustainable development. At the same time a number of social deficiencies in different countries have been spotlighted. This contributes to companies having to motivate their presence and how they live up to certain basic human rules (Code of Conduct). In short, the growing social commitment to sustainability issues puts higher demands on Elanders.
Elanders influences society in matters of equality and environmental issues. Our employees and external parties are interested in learning more about the company’s ambitions in these areas. For years Elanders has been deeply involved in working with different environmental demands. Using certified forest products and reducing transportation for positive environmental effects are some examples of what has been done.
Elanders in China is one of the few printers in China certified for OHSAS 18001.This took place in 2009. It is an international standard and certification for management systems in the working environment. The standard suits all companies and organizations that want to work preventively with health and safety risks. The management system handles and provides support for identifying and following laws, identifying and handling risks, goals, programs that ensure continuous improvements and management reviews through monitoring and follow-up of the system’s functionality. Through this certification Elanders gives proof to our customers that they have a serious supplier in China.
An increasingly important issue has been how Elanders plans to adapt the company in the long-run to future, tougher emission regulations and progressive ethical limits. Another important aspect is what kind of competitive advantages the company can gain as a printing Group that received environmental certification early on.
Investors have become increasingly interested in this area in the last few years since the stock market more and more clearly sees a parallel between the way a company handles sustainability issues and the longterm financial result. Since a company risks becoming contaminated by problems experienced by subcontractors, the company may have to move production from one country to another if the subcontractor receives a bad reputation. This can lead to large correction costs. That is why investors need guidance from the companies they invest in regards to the most probable risks and the effect they can have on profits.
Zuletzt aktualisiert:
01.04.2009
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