Mini panel – environmental work by Coor’s customers
The question of sustainable development is becoming increasingly important to many companies. This is clearly evident among Coor’s customers, not least in the environmental segment.
But why is the environmental question so important? In what ways do companies address the environment, and what are the standards they set for suppliers and partners? Det Norske Veritas, Skanska, LEO Pharma and AB Volvo give their answers.
Leif Mowitz
…is Environmental Manager at Volvo Aero Corporation.
Why is it important to work long term on environmental issues?
It’s quite rare to achieve tangible results in the environmental sphere in the short term, and this is especially apparent in a sector like aerospace. That’s why you have to take a structured, long-term approach to environmental work.
How do you work systematically and strategically on environmental issues?
We’re ISO 14001 certified, which is a base level. But our Environmental Plan has been part of the company’s Business Plan for many years. Our Environmental Plan deals with product and plant-related environmental issues.
What environmental standards to you currently set for your suppliers?
We require all our suppliers to be ISO 14001 certified, or approved in an environmental audit conducted by Volvo.
Pierre Börjesson
…is a Controller at Skanska AB.
Why is it important to work long term on environmental issues?
Because there’s only one Planet Earth. But as a Controller, I also see the financial benefits. A lot of people aren’t aware that most environmental measures also cut costs. So we get a double pay-off for our efforts. For example, we’ve banned bottled water, which has saved us a lot. Our transition to green power also proved to be a cost-saver. Ultimately, locally produced food will be cheaper for the whole of society. We offer job opportunities in our local environment, transport costs reduce and we get a better incentive to concentrate on our own infrastructure.
How do you work systematically and strategically on environmental issues?
We question every detail where we see an environmental impact, because this is part of our focus on becoming an example to the Swedish business community. How our employees feel, how we’re perceived by others, achieving our ethical goals and so on are important to us. To achieve this, we can leave no stone unturned.
What environmental standards to you currently set for your suppliers?
We’ve got an extensive environmental policy. If anyone wants to be a supplier, they have to agree to satisfy the stipulations of this lengthy document. It deals with everything from transportation to packaging, and the supplier itself must have an unequivocal environmental policy.
Christopher Garmann
…is a Project Manager for the implementation of environmental management systems for DNV in Norway.
Why is it important to work long term on environmental issues?
The DNV Foundation works on safeguarding lives, property and the environment, which has been our foundation for 145 years. In a world of increasing human impact on the environment, monitoring the environmental impact of private individuals and corporations is increasingly important. It’s good that in recent years, the environment has become important to industry and commerce, and not merely something left to private individuals. We want to contribute to greater environmental consideration and will be constantly developing and improving in this segment.
How do you work systematically and strategically on environmental issues?
There are three main areas where we can contribute to a better environment.
- Through our services, we can help customers to alleviate their environmental impact. This is where we can offer the greatest benefit, and it’s a growth segment for DNV.
- By offering information and financial support, we can ensure that our 8,500 employees and their families worldwide reduce their environmental impact every day, even outside working-hours
- By finding beneficial and environmental solutions day to day at the office and beyond, we can ensure that the impact of our office work, travel and other activities is minimised. This is where Coor helps us, through channels including cutting energy consumption in buildings and finding positive waste management solutions.
What environmental standards to you currently set for your suppliers?
In the environmental sphere, DNV currently focuses mainly on energy, waste, travel and monitoring subcontractors. We demand that our suppliers have an internal control system that also covers the external environment. But we do not demand ISO certification, because it’s not necessarily suitable for smaller suppliers. All contractors that work for DNV should get an introduction in relevant environmental standards like waste routines, reporting and accountability. We prefer environmentally labelled products, where available. This applies especially to detergents. We will also buy green power when we sign up for new contracts.
Lykke Have
…is Environmental Manager at pharmaceuticals company LEO Pharma.
Why is it important to work long term on environmental issues?
If you don’t have a long–term and systematic focus on the environment, you can never improve your operations. All our operations comply with the necessary environmental standards as part of our fundamental values. That’s why it’s important that we continuously improve our work in this segment.
How do you work systematically and strategically on environmental issues?
Our environmental work is managed by our Environmental and Working Environment department and our Environmental Coordinators. The former work on all matters affecting the environment, safety and the working environment. Over and above their regular duties, our Environmental Coordinators conduct environmental reviews for their individual departments, respond to queries on the environment from colleagues and prepare instructions, as well as performing other tasks relating to environmental work.
What environmental standards to you currently set for your suppliers?
We set standards on suppliers including those that deliver packaging. Suppliers undertake to comply with the environmental standards we set on the relevant product.