Our Sustainability Agenda
Glass contributes to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. We aim to be the global leader in innovative high-performance glazing solutions, contributing to energy conservation and generation
Our Sustainability Committee, which I chair, has enjoyed excellent support from the Executive Committee and Board over the year. Our proposals for executive accountability were accepted, allowing us to make good progress with individual executives on the key aspects of our strategy. Our Group-level targets have been allocated to the business lines and functions, and cascaded though the organization.
The Group’s investment program is carefully targeted, and is fully in line with our strategy and Sustainability objectives. We plan to expand our solar energy business in Vietnam and China, and we have exciting energy efficiency projects underway at many of our large manufacturing sites.
We have adopted the UN Global Compact, and support the ten principles it embodies. We have conducted a full review of our Code of Conduct and Policies to ensure that these support our commitments under the Compact. We have found that, while we were already reasonably well aligned, this exercise has been very useful in helping us focus our attention in the right areas, and in giving our employees even clearer guidance about what we expect of them, and what they can expect from the Company.
Our principal raw materials are mineral in nature and we recognize our responsibility to ensure that in obtaining those minerals, natural habitats and biodiversity are preserved or enhanced.
Our customers are placing increasing demands on us with regard to our Sustainability Policy, and in particular how we are managing and improving our Carbon Footprint. We have made many reports, both under the Carbon Disclosure Project and to address bespoke customer requests. Our customers, notably in Solar Photovoltaics, are also making public declarations, and need good data from us as they expand their reporting from Scope 1 and 2 to include Scope 3.
I was delighted with the response to our inaugural Health and Safety and Environmental awards. These attracted over 250 responses from around the Group. The quality of submissions was excellent and our judges, including independent experts in each area, had a very difficult time choosing between the many projects that met our selection criteria. This has been a valuable initiative to recognize good work, spread best practice, and encourage other sites to develop ideas for future awards.
As well as working to maximize the life cycle benefits of our products, we are very committed to minimizing any negative aspects of our business, or those of our suppliers. We are working to achieve full adoption of our Supplier Code of Conduct, and we have made a public declaration of our stance on Conflict Minerals.
Through our membership of trade associations, standards bodies and other organizations we work to influence legislation, particularly in the area of energy conservation.
Our vision
As a global glass manufacturer, we are using our products and technology to play a positive role in helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change.
'Making a difference to our world through glass technology'
Our mission
To be the global leader in innovative high-performance glass and glazing solutions, contributing to energy conservation and generation, working safely and ethically.
Our values
People are our most important asset. We value:
- Trust and mutual respect
- Integrity and professionalism
- Teamwork and mutual support
- Open communication
- Initiative and creativity
- Passion and resilience
- Individual and social responsibility
- Sustainability
Our stakeholders
We aim to be judged as best in class by:
- Our customers
To be their preferred supplier for glass products and related services.
- Our employees
To be their preferred place to work.
- Our shareholders
To be their preferred long-term investment.
- Our suppliers
To build strong mutually beneficial relationships based on trust, co-operation, innovation and Sustainability.
- Our communities
To be a good neighbor, wherever we operate.
Our Code of Conduct
Our Code of Conduct defines for all employees what is expected of them. It reflects our values and principles, particularly the emphasis on safety, taking personal ownership for actions and communicating with openness and involvement.
The overriding basis of the Code is that we will carry out these activities in a safe, professional, legal and ethical manner and in a way that demonstrates corporate social responsibility and promotes Sustainability. Wherever possible, the Code defines a fair and common sense approach to doing business, with some elements dictated by strict legal requirements.
People, health and safety
We regard people as the most important asset of our company. We value the health and safety of all our employees above all other considerations and aim to ensure that we provide a working environment that allows our people to reach their full potential.
Our safety programs emphasize the importance of individuals taking personal responsibility and of appropriate safe behavior, with managers taking the lead through their commitment to our 10 Key Safety Leadership Behaviors. All injuries at work are regarded as unnecessary and avoidable. We require full reporting no matter how minor, and appropriate investigation to ensure we learn from all such incidents.