Sustainability Report 2008 the Photography Competition “I Protect the Environment”
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2008 THE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION “I PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT” The photographs illustrating the The photographs accompanying the volume have been selected from volume, consist of a selection of those submitted to “I protect the images submitted by Group employees environment” photography competition, based in Europe, Asia and Latin open to Generali Group employees. America and attest the heartfelt The competition was part of a broad interest aroused, elaborating on initiative designed to stimulate environment topics and on the various employee involvement in environmental aspects of environmental protection in protection. Specifically, it was a particular. Some of the images simply follow-up to the “Save, Reuse, Rethink” illustrate the beauty of nature through environmental information and wonderful or picturesque landscapes, awareness campaign, launched at the flowers or various animal species. end of 2007 as part of the “Sustainable Others, including the winning entries, Office” Project, and very favourably adhere more closely to the issue of received. environmental protection, dealing in various ways with such topics as Given the popularity of photography as selective waste collection, alternative a hobby, the competition had all the energy sources and sustainable necessary characteristics to attract mobility. numerous entries and provided a means to continue a now characteristic feature of our Sustainability Report - by enhancing it with photographs illustrating Group initiatives. In fact, the 2004 report was accompanied by photos from the first photography competition, “Obiettivo Agricoltura” (Target: agriculture) organized by FATA, the 2005 report with images relating to the economic and social development project at an agricultural estate purchased in Romania and the 2007 edition with photographs of the “Roots of the Present” educational exhibit of archaeological finds, organized by the Parent Company in celebration of its 175th Anniversary. Approximately 400 entries were received from more than 80 employees, a very positive result in terms of participation. It should be borne in mind that this was the first time an initiative of this kind had been organized on such a large scale and that in order to spread word of the competition, the Group relied on the collaboration of an extensive network of colleagues around the world. It is thanks to their very support that the competition received such a high response rate from such a wide geographic area, with entries from almost every country in which Generali operates. Sustainability Report 2008 4 The photographs CHAIRMAN’S LETTER generated by our business in the year. is now customary and a specific part of We therefore distributed a mixed our report, the accompanying photos dividend, adding to the sum of EUR 0.15 for this volume have been provided as a per share, one free ordinary share in Group initiative. The wonderful images the company per 25 shares held, from accompanying this volume have been our treasury shares. selected from the many entries to the photography competition, “I protect For us, this is just another form of the environment” organised by Group corporate responsibility. Despite the companies throughout the world. As difficulties faced in 2008, I can safely you leaf through the report, you will say that on account of the Company’s see that the images are a selection of strong financial position, we have been photographs taken by staff members able to meet the expectations of our in our various companies throughout stakeholders. Europe, Asia and Latin America, which attests the heartfelt interest I am pleased to introduce this aroused the world over for such an Sustainability Report, now in its fifth important issue. In order that we may edition. The Report will be published contribute to the protection of this also this year, shortly after the financial precious asset, we have implemented statements. The Sustainability Report processes that will help us to deal with is both closely related to and completes the negative impact the Group has on the Financial Statements, providing the environment in a systematic and information on all our achievements responsible manner. so far in the industrial, social and At the end of one of the most difficult environmental protection sectors. Increased Group commitment in financial years in our history, a I am also pleased to remind you that, the various spheres of sustainability year marked by an unprecedented thanks to the timely publication of this results in continuous adjustment economic and financial crisis which document, assessed alongside our and improvement of instruments has also taken its toll on the insurance financial statements, we were awarded and specific bodies in the Corporate industry, it is with great pride and the Financial Statements Award in Centre and in individual countries, satisfaction that I am able to confirm confirmation of the quality of our to improve the coordination and to that we have come out of this as a financial reporting and more generally, obtain greater efficacy of actions taken strong, growing business with one of of our stakeholder communications. towards attaining new objectives, the strongest financial position in the and first and foremost the planning industry. Profits for the year, which The 2008 Sustainability Report contains and implementation of a Group were inevitably affected by the global more information than previous environmental management system. financial crisis, confirm the solidity of editions, particularly in the sections the insurance businesses which are dedicated to the environment, to The growing appreciation for our the focus of our business and which contractual partners and to highly business, as demonstrated by financial follow long-term strategies and an relevant issues such as human rights and ethical analysts on more than international growth plan. and employee rights. occasion, and the general consensus arising from the many climate The impact of the crisis has not in any In this regard, I would like to assessments carried out by our major way affected the creation of growth reiterate that since adhering to the stakeholder, primarily among our for those holding an interest in the Global Compact initiative in 2007, staff, have increased our desire and Company, with our 84,000-strong our strategies, policies and actions commitment to continue along our workforce and 50,000 plus agents have integrated, and will continue to chosen path, in the pursuit of our and promoters, to whom we have integrate, the ten principles relating shared objectives. distributed increasing resources. to human rights, labour conditions, Nevertheless, our strategy of prudent environmental protection and the fight Antoine Bernheim financial management, characterised against corruption. The sustainability by a constant focus on commitments measures undertaken, have allowed towards the more than 60 million us to make an important contribution policyholders who place their trust in towards the success of such principles us, makes us one of the few sector within the context of and in the companies to have successfully relations we forge with the people we distributed dividends in 2008. And we come in contact with. did this responsibly, having deemed it our duty to bear, insofar as possible, In our view, sustainability especially the burden of the reduced profits relates to the involvement of our for the year and to recompense our workforce, which greatly contributes more than 200,000 shareholders for to our success. The 2008 Sustainability their loyalty, even beyond the profits Report provides confirmation of this: as Sustainability Report 2008 5 Chairman’s letter METHODOLOGICAL NOTES The 2008 Generali Group Sustainability • the Sustainability Report is closely Report (SR), now in its fifth edition, linked to other information presents a series of affirmations and a tools produced by the Group, few important innovative features. first and foremost the financial statements. The connection works With regard to the affirmations, the in both directions: on the one following are particularly noteworthy: hand, important data from the • its focus is on insurance and banking consolidated financial statement business, including service-related on the Group’s economic-financial businesses; performance, to be discussed in • it covers a vast geographical area, greater depth in the source, has including the main countries in been reported; on the other hand, which the Group operates - Italy, the consolidated financial statement Austria, France, Germany, Spain and and statutory statement provide brief Switzerland - as well as Israel and summaries of the company policies the companies Europ Assistance that relate to employees and the España and Europ Assistance environment. For topics concerning Suisse, which were included in socio-environmental aspects, the 2006 SR; however, due to the the “Sustainability” section of the SR’s early publication last year, the corporate website www.generali.com information included for the latter is also an important reference. group was limited to their community and environmental initiatives. With As regards new features, capitalizing regard to Israel in particular, some on the suggestions received from information is not available due to various stakeholders at official and confidentiality or because it could informal meetings has resulted in a create a competitive disadvantage document on the one hand streamlined for the company