Basic HTML Version
REC Annual Report 2011
35
Sustainability
SUSTAINABILITY
INTRODUCTION
REC’s mission statement is Smart Energy for a Cleaner future, which
signals REC’s commitment to making safe and sustainable solar energy
affordable and accessible globally. This means continuous focus on
reducing the cost and enhancing the value of solar products, while
keeping safety at the forefront and always striving for a high
environmental and governance standard.
REC acknowledges its responsibilities as a company to be held
accountable to shareholders, investors, employees, and society.
Everywhere REC operates it will continuously seek to limit any negative
effects caused by its activities. Wherever possible sustainability is
integral to the way that REC does business.
SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING
REC’s sustainability reporting addresses the issues that are material
for the company and our stakeholders. REC is continuously working to
improve its reporting, and from2011 REC will use the Global Reporting
Initiative (GRI) framework to measure and report on sustainability
performance. The GRI is internationally recognized, and its framework
establishes a transparent means through which to report on the
following six indicator areas: economics, environment, labor, human
rights, society, and product responsibility.
In 2011 REC has reported according to a C level as defined by the
GRI G3.1 guidelines, including as many indicators as the current data
situation allows. REC will in 2012 continue to develop its reporting
according to the GRI, by including other relevant performance indicators
with the ambition to reach a B level. A table of all GRI indicators covered
within this report is included on page 43. This report covers the
following topics:
• Governing Sustainability
• Economic Sustainability
• People and Organization
• Health and Safety
• Environment and Climate
• Sustainability in the Supply Chain
• Stakeholder Relations
• Product Responsibility
The economic and labor data are complete for REC as a whole. The
environmental data presented in this report covers the manufacturing
sites operating in Norway, Singapore and the United States, inclusive of
plants that have been shut down during the year. This accounts for the
key areas of environmental impact. Data on health and safety represents
likewise the manufacturing sites and headquarters, but only partly on
REC sales offices and supporting locations due to the lack of data. REC
will develop its sustainability reporting in future years to reflect the
activities throughout the wider organization.
GOVERNING SUSTAINABILITY
Policies
The Group Policies on Sustainability define the REC way of working with
Sustainability both internally and in the various markets REC operates.
They were adopted by the GroupManagement in 2010 and meet the
NUES standards regarding their content. The policies are communicated
internally and on the website. The Group Policies consist of Business
Conduct Policy, Safety and Health Policy, Environment and Climate
Policy as well as Quality and Improvement Policy. The policies are
governing documents for all REC activities and are normative for all
underlying governing documents within sustainability. They are reviewed
annually by the Board of Directors.
• The Business Conduct Policy is designed to promote transparency
and accountability with the highest level of business ethics in all
REC’s activities, as well as continuously improve business conduct
together with REC’s stakeholders. The Business Conduct Policy
supports sustainability, human rights, labor practices, business
ethics, transparency and avoidance of corruption.
• The Safety and Health Policy targets zero harm to employees,
contractors, partners, customers and members of the public.
• The Environment and Climate Policy shall maximize the positive
contribution from renewable and climate-friendly solar energy at
affordable prices.
• The Quality and Improvement Policy provides a continuous focus on
quality and improvements in running operations.
Principles
To support the implementation of the Group Policies, an HSE
management systemwas developed and adopted by the Group
Management in January 2011. This consists of 14 HSE principles and an
assessment tool where all internal HSE processes are covered.
Expectations and practical implementation methods are explained in
order to secure and improve HSE standards and share best practices
across the Group. The assessment tool rates the implementation
methods on a scale of Low – Average – Good – Best Practice –World
Class, according to the use of the REC Business System rules &
principles.
All manufacturing plants performed a self-assessment according to the
RECHSE principles both in 2010 and in 2011, and the results are used for
prioritizing improvement actions and programs. In 2012 the ambition is to
further roll-out the HSE principles to other parts of the organization where
applicable, as well as establish cross-assessments between the units.
Performance management
To ensure compliance with the Group Policies, REC sets annual
objectives; monitors performance through specific KPIs, reports results
monthly and quarterly and executes audits on all levels in the
organization, in line with the REC Business System. This process has
been strengthened in 2011 across the whole organization.