2011/12 objectives and priorities

Our corporate social responsibility objectives for 2011/12 are set out below.  These Group objectives provide a framework for each of our principal businesses to establish their own priorities and targets that reflect the local markets.

We have an overall objective to share knowledge and experiences across the Group via an active and engaged corporate social responsibility network, with a dedication to continuous improvement.  In addition we have an ongoing process to promote the understanding of approved corporate governance directives and policies as well as the Code of Conduct and Business Ethics, and ensure that the directors and employees of Alliance Boots continue to act in accordance with these.

Community

Objective: To establish meaningful multi-year partnerships with charitable organisations and other stakeholders that share our values of making a difference and our commitment to improving health and wellbeing in the local communities that we serve.  Our current priorities are:

• To raise over €5 million by 2016 to establish a “biobank” for colorectal cancer in partnership with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)
• For each principal business to establish local targets with supporting activities to improve the health and wellbeing of people within its local community
• To make use of our significant consumer reach – through our owned and franchise pharmacies as well as the Alphega Pharmacy and Vivesco networks – with local programmes to deliver health related information and advice to customers and patients

Objective: To support our employees who wish to volunteer their time to make a difference in the communities that we serve.  Our current priority in this area is:

• To increase the number of our businesses that have employee volunteering programmes in place

Environment

Objective: To reduce the Group’s like-for-like CO₂ emissions.  Our current priorities are:

• To achieve a like-for-like percentage decrease in usage of energy emissions (our largest category of CO₂ emissions), through increased awareness and sharing of best practice methods across the Group
• To reduce the level of non-essential business travel through increased usage of the Group-wide video-conferencing system

Objective: To reduce the Group’s like-for-like total waste levels and increase the proportion of waste that is recycled.  Our current priority in this area is:

• For each principal business within the Group to achieve a waste recycled level of 50% or higher, where local facilities exist to enable recycling

Objective: To incorporate acquired businesses into our CSR framework and reporting processes on a timely basis, recognising that the collection of robust environmental data in many countries is challenging.  Our current priorities are:

• To appoint local CSR champions and implement the Group scorecard approach within the Hedef Alliance and ANZAG businesses and to incorporate these businesses into our CSR data performance reporting.  

Marketplace

Objective: To evaluate and work with the Group’s major suppliers to establish that they have suitable processes in place to comply with the standards set out in our Code of Conduct and Business Ethics.  Our current priority in this area is:

• To extend the Boots UK’s supplier verification programme to other major suppliers to the Group

Objective: To ensure that an awareness of, and focus on, sustainability is embedded within our activities across the Group.  Our current priority in this area is:

• To facilitate a third party evaluation of the Boots UK developed product sustainability methodology and to share the insight and best practices identified

Workplace

Objective: To reinforce that a robust health and safety regime exists in all parts of the Group supported with appropriate training, education and incident management practices.  Our current priorities are:

• To reduce the number of ‘greater than three day lost time accidents’ within each principal business

Objective: To engage with our employees through regular feedback sessions and through local forms of employee appraisal and development plans.  Our current priorities are:

• To introduce employee feedback programmes, such as surveys, across the major parts of the Group and ensure that the results are reviewed by senior management and appropriate responses developed
  

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