Values

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Report Statements Supervisory
Board
Bertelsmann sees environmental and climate protection as a
key aspect of its corporate responsibility. Climate change presents
one of the greatest challenges of the twenty-fi rst century.
It is with this in mind that the Bertelsmann Executive Board
introduced a climate protection strategy in 2008. One element
of this strategy is a Group-wide climate balance sheet, which
was compiled for the fi rst time in 2009 and included some
1.5 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions (CO 2 equivalents).
An auditing fi rm reviewed the quality with which the
climate balance sheet was compiled: the procedure for collecting
Group-level data and the methodology used in calculating
the carbon footprint. Th e audit found that the procedure meets
the customary, relevant standards and methods currently in
practice. Th e climate balance sheet is the key starting point for
eff orts to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Other elements of the climate protection strategy include notifying
and involving employees and external stakeholders to a
greater extent and identifying so-called “green business models.”
An international body made up of environmental experts
from all divisions is responsible for implementing the strategy
and other environmental and climate protection concepts and
programs.
Other Information
Annual General Meetings
On May 5, 2009, the Bertelsmann AG Ordinary General Meeting
approved the appointment of Christa Gomez, deputy chair
of the Corporate Works Council, to the Supervisory Board.
Ms. Gomez succeeds the deceased Supervisory Board member
Oswald Lexer. Details concerning changes in the makeup of the
Supervisory Board are provided in the report by the Supervisory
Board on page 154.
Bertelsmann Annual Report 2009
Signifi cant Events After the Balance Sheet Date
On February 2, 2010, Bertelsmann asked the holders of the
2001 profi t participation certifi cates to submit off ers to sell
at a rate of 180 percent. When the off er expired on February
22, 2010, the company had received offers to sell for
2001 profi t participation certifi cates with a nominal value of
€214.3 million, 43 percent of the outstanding volume.
Bertelsmann accepted all offers to sell on February 23,
2010. The previous maximum nominal buyback figure of
€150 million was raised to €214.3 million in accordance with the
conditions of the off er. Th e total purchase price therefore came to
€385.7 million. Th e purpose of this initiative is to simplify the
capital structure, since the profi t participation certifi cate has
lost its original function as an equity instrument. Irrespective
of the outcome of the public off er, Bertelsmann indicates its
intention to buy back other outstanding profi t participation
certifi cates on the market at a later time.
Also in early February 2010, French RTL Group subsidiary
M6 exercised a put option, selling its 5.1-percent investment
in the French pay TV channel Canal Plus to Vivendi SA for
€384 million.
In February 2010, Bertelsmann AG’s Italian subsidiary
Società Holding Industriale di Grafi ca S.p.A. agreed, in a preliminary
contract with the Italian publishing company Arnoldo
Mondadori S.p.A. to sell its 50 percent interest in Mondolibri
S.p.A. Mondadori already holds 50 percent of Mondolibri, the
Italian book club operated together with Bertelsmann.
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