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 Industry and sustainable development in a period of persistent economic and financial crisis: how can we reconcile the medium and long term vision with the necessary returns in the short term?
The international recession has actually highlighted the need to apply industrial strategies focused on sustainability: on attentive business ethics, on widespread social responsibility. Geographic diversification, investment planning and flexibility in seizing opportunities help create the conditions to support industrial efficiency projects, generating the resources needed to feed and reinforce sustainability objectives.
Which are Italcementi Group’s investment priorities in the 2010-2014 industrial plan?
The idea of a sustainable development is the core element of the 2010-2014 industrial plan. Evaluation of strategic choices combines and properly balances the consolidated economic approach with the creation of environmental and social value. Energy efficiency, integration with the territory and the improvement of work conditions are the primary objectives.
Managerial and environmental efficiency: how are these two objectives combined in the operational scheme of Italcementi Group?
Simple: there is no other choice. In the cement and construction material sector there can be no real industrial efficiency without high environmental performance. Intensity in the use of natural and energy resources inevitably pushes towards the optimization of production cycles and managerial approaches. The high implementation level of environmental management systems inside the Group
proves this.
Is innovation the field where the company development can go hand in hand with sustainability?
Technological innovation is the natural path of development for a company. Equally it certainly cannot mean a return to the past or a possibility for gradual decline: it must generate the possibility of growth. So innovation and sustainability can only go hand in hand: practically, technology will make this a realistic possibility. We must not forget that other factors must also follow the new system, starting from the tools of public policy that can be the first step towards the promotion of new technologies, simplifying the dialogue between the various parties and putting the new systems into operations.
Which are the priorities of the environmental policies of Italcementi Group?
It is the global dialogue to clearly trace priorities: fight climate change, reduce use of non-renewable resources, prevent degradation of the natural environment and respect biodiversity.
How does the Group face to the challenge of climate change?
The Group actively takes part in the definition of the international agenda for fighting climate change. The challenge is to translate the strategies into actions and short, medium and long term plans. Modernization of the global production facilities, responsible use of resources, energy diversification and innovation are the key factors.
What is the key message of the Group concerning safety in the work place?
Year 2009 marked the best absolute performance of the Group in terms of safety in the work place. But we cannot stop there. The new challenge is to improve the performance of contractors and third parties involved in our activities and a constant battle against fatal injuries, through strict regulations and top quality operating standards.
Is the protection of human rights an important part of the social responsibility policy of Italcementi Group? In which countries is this mostly promoted and supported?
Fundamental human rights are those concerning the protection of people’s lives. Hence, safety and health are core elements. On the other hand, our presence in countries where the protection of human rights is a critical factor pushes us towards a more careful monitoring and sound operational responses to protect the weakest social classes.
Do you think the results reached by the Group in the dialogue with stakeholders can be improved? With which instruments?
Not only can they, but they must be improved. There are lots of tools, starting from the capacity to understand the territory in which we operate in order to more effectively address our social investments to the advantage of local communities and to support the integration of our industrial reality. Hence, the Group is reviewing and optimizing the necessary governance instruments.
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Giovanni Ferrario
Chief Operation Officer
Italcementi Group |
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