Daimler Annual Report 2011 - Alle jaarverslagen

Sustainability at Daimler
Sustainability is a key element of our corporate strategy. Efficient management structures
support the implementation of sustainability policies in all of our divisions. In the year under
review, we continued and expanded the intensive dialogue with our stakeholders.
Our sustainability strategy. We want to increase the value
of our company on a sustained basis. And we can do that only
if we define value creation holistically and measure the
success of our business operations not only in terms of financial
results, but also in terms of social acceptance. In order to do
that, we have established sustainability as an integral part of
our pyramid of goals and as a basic principle of our corporate
strategy. In addition, the ideas that are of fundamental importance
to us include the ten principles of the Global Compact,
to which we are particularly committed as a founding member
and as a member of the LEAD team since 2011. We also
comply with the employment standards established by the
International Labour Organization (ILO) and with the OECD
guidelines for multinational companies.
Effective and coordinated strategies and initiatives ensure that
the concept of sustainability is firmly anchored in our business
operations. In our Group-wide sustainability management
system, these strategies are implemented by means of concrete
actions and measurable target indicators. Our Sustainability
Program 2010-2020, which we presented in April 2011, is an
important step in this direction and defines our key areas of
activity in the years ahead. We aim to continue reducing pollutants
and emissions, further enhance the safety of our
vehicles, expand the dialogue with our suppliers and dealers,
and further intensify our social involvement.
The economic dimension: Profitable growth and long-term
business success ensure our commitment to sustainable
development. As the technological pacemaker of the automotive
industry, we aim to stand out because of our top performance
and to shape the future of safe and environmentally friendly
mobility. The foundation of our business operations is corporate
management that is based on a sense of responsibility,
builds on integrity, good corporate governance and the principles
of compliance, and requires and encourages correct
behavior from an ethical point of view of every single
employee and executive.
The ecological dimension: Environmental protection, innovation
and safety are the biggest challenges our company faces
in its efforts to achieve sustainability. Our cars and commercial
vehicles are among the very best in their respective market
segments in terms of environmental protection and safety.
As we explore new mobility concepts, we are extending our focus
beyond the vehicle itself and testing environmentally compatible
approaches to urban mobility. Also in the production of our
vehicles, we carefully plan every stage of manufacturing to
make it as environmentally compatible as possible.
The social dimension: Daimler regards itself as a force that
helps shape developments in society. That is why we are
committed to acting in the best interests of our employees, our
customers and the people who live and work near our business
locations. After all, we benefit from highly motivated and
well-qualified employees, satisfied customers and relationships
with our stakeholders that are based on mutual trust.
We want to create value for society, and through our donations,
sponsorship and foundation activities, we help people in
need, promote intercultural understanding, and support the
arts, culture, education, science and sports.
Dialogue with stakeholders. As a member of the Global
Compact, we have intensified the dialogue with our stakeholders
in the context of our commitment to sustainability. We also
support the “Code of Responsible Conduct in Business,” which
promotes a social market economy with fair rules for global
competition. With the “Daimler Sustainability Dialogue,” we bring
representatives of society, politicians and scientists together
with representatives of Daimler’s top management. The aim of
these dialogue events is to intensify the exchange of opinions
also on critical issues and to engage in a joint search for practical
solutions. In 2011, we carried out Sustainability
Dialogues not only in Stuttgart, but also at several international
locations.
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