corporate responsibility

Companies have several means of action to fulfill their corporate citizenship responsibilities:

• internal human resource policies: measures against discrimination and measures for positive working conditions, flexible work times, career growth, etc.
• creating foundations: for education, economic growth, artistic creation, scientific research
• supplier selection policies in developing nations: measures against child labor and measures for welfare protection and improved working conditions in countries where legislation offers little or no employee protection; more information

Companies also have a decisive role to play in protecting against climate change. There are many areas in which they can take action:

• eco-design of products and services: by reducing the quantity of raw materials used along with the amount of energy consumed; planning for upstream recycling, etc.
• recycle products at the end of their service lives: consumers often do not know how to recycle and to whom products should be entrusted at the end of their service lives; companies can create and promote recovery and processing channels for these products
• employee and consumer awareness: by providing information on the environmental factors at stake behind sustainable development; offering concrete, simple advice, etc.
• fair trade: join in the fair trade approach, which takes account of both environment and social aspects in activities (purchasing, production and distribution) more information