Prysmian: Sustainability Report Reaches GRI's B+ Level

The Report shows an improvement, over a twelve month period, from C+ to B+ in the sustainability application level determined in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative Guidelines (GRI, version GRI/ G3.1), the leading world organisation for sustainability reporting.

Compared to previous years the number of indicators contained in the Report has been extended, and the approach to reporting enhanced by disseminating an improved sustainability culture within the organisation, with training and information flows involving employees at all levels. With a view to maximising the effectiveness of the reporting process and guaranteeing to stakeholders the reliability of the information, again this year Deloitte was appointed to check the reported data and issue a “Report on the limited examination of the Sustainability Report.”

With reference to environmental sustainability, the Group is working on numerous initiatives to prevent and reduce its environmental footprint such as responsible use of raw materials, optimisation of logistic flows and responsible waste management. The Prysmian Group’s wide-reaching commitment towards these issues is testified by the prize awarded to the Group in 2013 by the CDP (previously Carbon Disclosure Project) AS Best Newcomer for its efforts to counter climate change and the transparent reporting of its own CO₂ emissions.

As regards product responsibility, Prysmian has developed a large number of innovative projects both in the energy and telecom sectors. These include testing the first electrical system in the world with a high-voltage, eco-sustainable and high-performance cable — tested with Terna, in the province of Milan — and developing a new family of fully dry, loose tube telecom cables, which limits the consumption of raw materials required to produce gels and greases.

In the social responsibility area, Prysmian has proven its commitment towards its employees through an internal programme structured to manage a workforce of more than 19,000 at global level founded on the following pillars: the development and dissemination of a shared common identity, an inspirational management leadership model, the ability to attract high-value people on the market and develop and manage talent, an international and multicultural working environment. In addition, as proof of its commitment towards the needs of local communities, in 2013 the Group adopted aCorporate Citizenship and Philanthropy Policy with the aim of regulating initiatives in support of local communities, linking them with its own business activities.

From the standpoint of economic-financial responsibility, mention should be made of the launch of the YES program (Your Employee Shares), a preferential share purchase program for its employees.

The aim of the initiative is to increase employees’ affinity, involvement, sense of belonging and understanding of the business, making them owners of a small part of the Group in which they work and strengthening the internal perception of the Prysmian Group as a ‘One Company’. The program has involved more than 35% of the Group’s employees.