Scania annual report 2004

Long-term relationships
contribute to positive change
Scania is a global company that economically, socially and environmentally both influences and
is influenced by the communities where it operates. Its local presence creates long-term
relationships that will contribute to positive change for both the company and the community.
Scania contributes to sustainable global
development and supports the OECD
Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
These guidelines form the starting point of
Scania’s sustainable development efforts.
Scania’s relationships with society at
large focus mainly on improved road safety
and reduced environmental impact –
issues closely associated with Scania’s
business operations.
After the tsunami disaster in the Indian
Ocean during the 2004 Christmas holidays,
Scania concentrated its relief efforts via
the International Red Cross.
Greater transparency
During 2004, Scania continued to aim
for greater transparency so that all stakeholders
can more easily gain access to
the information they are seeking.
Scania has clarified its ethical and
environmental positions, among other
things by imposing high social and environmental
standards on its suppliers.
Scania regards such standards as necessary
in order to achieve long-term sustainable
development.
Backing up drivers in all situations
The driver is the most important contributor
to improved road safety. Scania’s vision
is that drivers of heavy vehicles should
serve as role models for other road users.
Scania’s aim is to give drivers the best
possible back-up to ensure safe driving.
To promote road safety, driver skills
and a positive attitude in society at large
towards transport professionals, during
2005 Scania is organising its second
competition for young truck drivers. In
September, a new winner of this driver
competition, Europe’s largest, will be
proclaimed. Nearly 20,000 drivers from
the EU member countries plus Switzerland,
Turkey and Norway are expected to
participate in the competition, which will
reward safe, environmentally oriented and
economical driving techniques.
Scania is implementing the competition
with support from the European Commission
and the International Road Transport
Union (IRU), and with Michelin and Shell as
co-sponsors.
The environment
Combining the growing need for transport
services with reduced environmental
impact is a prerequisite for long-term
sustainable development in the world,
and a challenge for Scania as a company.
Environmental impacts occur both at
production facilities and when our products
– vehicles and engines – are used by
customers. Scania works systematically
to reduce the environmental impact at all
stages of a product’s life cycle. Its environmental
work emphasises doing the
right thing from the beginning and in all
subsequent stages, conserving raw materials
and energy as well as offering its
customers vehicles and engines with
better fuel economy and low exhaust gas
emissions. Scania’s environmental policy
and overall environmental targets apply
to all parts of the company and are found
on the following pages and posted on its
website, www.scania.com.
SCANIA’S ROLE IN SOCIETY • SCANIA ANNUAL REPORT 2004 16