2007 Sustainability Report - Baxter Sustainability Report

Sustainabilityat BaxterMore online:sustainability.baxter.com/sustainability_at_baxterBaxter views sustainability as a long-term strategic approachto balancing business opportunities with social, economic andenvironmental responsibilities. The company’s sustainabilityefforts support Baxter’s mission to apply innovative science inthe development of products and therapies that save and sustainpatients’ lives.Baxter’s ApproachSustainability is inherently broad. Baxter’s efforts cover a wide range of areas, as reflectedby the company’s sustainability priorities and the structure and contents of this report.Baxter’s Sustainability Steering Committee leads the company’s efforts to integrate sustainabilityinto its long-term strategic planning as well as its daily activities. The committee’s role is to:› Assess the opportunities and challenges associated with sustainability;› Increase knowledge of sustainability concepts and benchmark with other companies;› Define and track progress on sustainability priorities, drive organizationalaccountability and recognize accomplishments;› Establish performance targets and help implement sustainability initiatives;› Report status to and engage senior management on appropriate actions anddirection; and› Provide a sounding board for stakeholder inquiries and recommend necessary actions.The committee’s executive sponsor is Baxter’s corporate vice president, Global ManufacturingOperations. Baxter’s vice president of Environment, Health and Safety, and vice president,Corporate Communications, co-chair the committee. Each senior member of the committeesponsors one of Baxter’s sustainability priorities and is accountable for developing andreporting progress against goals in that area.Sustainability PrioritiesAlthough committed to addressing the broad range of sustainability issues, Baxterrecognizes the importance of setting clear priorities to focus its efforts and direct itsinitiatives. In 2007, the Sustainability Steering Committee defined nine priorities that fallinto three broad categories: Our People, Our Operations and Products, and Our World(see graphic). These priorities reflect issues of key concern to Baxter and its stakeholdersand areas where the company is uniquely positioned to have a positive impact.In 2008, Baxter established measurable performance goals for each priority. The company’schief executive officer and its Operations Committee endorsed these priorities and goals.Baxter anticipates that this framework will remain central to the company’s sustainabilityefforts, and looks forward to reporting progress in the future.4 BAXTER 2007 sustainability report | Sustainability at Baxter