The World Around Us: Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2001-02
The World Around Us: Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2001-02
The World Around Us: Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2001-02
Vodafone Group Plc is determined to achieve the highest standards of corporate social responsibility (CSR). To us, CSR encompasses our total impact as a company in three main areas - society, environment and economy. This, our second report on CSR, summarises our progress on the commitments we made last year and outlines our plans for the future. As a world leader in telecommunications we are committed to communicating effectively and comprehensively. In addition to this report, we have also launched dedicated CSR web pages www.vodafone.com/responsibility. This expands on the information in this document and will be updated regularly with news and case studies.
Vodafone at a Glance As at 31 March 2002, we served over 101 million proportionate customers in 28 countries across five continents. Including all of the customers served by Vodafones subsidiaries and associate networks, we helped connect over 229 million customers. This is the equivalent of one in every four mobile phone users worldwide an unrivalled global presence in mobile telecommunications. The Vodafone Group contains 16 cellular network operators where Vodafone has more than 50% direct equity interest and in which we have direct control over governance and management. There are also 12 companies in which Vodafone holds an equity stake. All Vodafone Group policies, principles and guidelines on CSR apply directly to our subsidiaries and we actively encourage our associates to join us in developing and promoting a strong position on CSR. The information on the Vodafone Group contained in this report relates to Vodafone Group Plc and its subsidiaries unless otherwise stated.
Contents
1 2 3 4 6 7 8 12 15 18 20 Vision and Values: Statement by Chief Executive Snapshot of CSR Progress Introduction to Key CSR Issues CSR and Our Business Principles CSR Governance and Responsibility Delivering Our Values: Statement by Group Chief Operating Officer Delivering Our Values: Society Delivering Our Values: Environment Delivering Our Values: Economy Delivering Our Values: Employment/Training/Health and Safety Summary of Objectives and Commitments Further Information
Throughout Vodafone there is a deep passion for what we do and how we do it. Our shared vision is to be the worlds mobile communications leader enriching customers lives, helping individuals, businesses and communities be more connected in a mobile world.
Our vision has guided us consistently during the past five years of the companys remarkable growth. It is underpinned by core values that define what we are as a business and how we behave as individual employees. With all the uncertainties and challenges currently facing multinational businesses these shared values help us to retain our focus and consolidate our strengths. Over the past 12 months we have refined and articulated these core values more clearly than ever before. They have become Vodafones four passions for customers, for results, for our people, and for the world around us. They also embody our commitment to the goals of CSR. Delivering them means maximising the benefits that mobile telecommunications can bring while minimising any negative impacts. Our corporate value of Passion for the World Around Us, in particular, expresses our belief in the positive contribution we have to offer - a contribution with a potential undreamt of even 20 years ago. The global reach of Vodafones technologies and services brings real value to peoples lives. As this report demonstrates, it is also delivering wider social, environmental and economic benefits. In doing so, we are returning value to the company. For example, if the Vodafone Group minimises its environmental impact it will achieve efficiencies which will help cut our costs; and by instituting a CSR management system it means we will be able to manage environmental and social risks that much better. The message of our Vision and Values, which Group Chief Operating Officer Julian Horn-Smith and I have personally delivered throughout the Vodafone Group, has received an impressively enthusiastic response from our people. From Newbury to Milan to Sydney they have shown their determination to deliver value to the company and to the world around us in real and practical ways. In this they are being encouraged and helped by one of many significant developments of the past year our global CSR network. It is made up of key individuals who are now actively championing the CSR agenda in every one of our subsidiary operations. This time last year, I said that we were determined to use Vodafones success as a force for good. In this, our second report on CSR, we can demonstrate how that is beginning to happen with reference to measurable achievements. We have made real progress and, most importantly, we have put in place the structures, mechanisms and patterns of behaviour that will deliver much more over time. We have no intention of standing still. Ours is a dynamic business and our vision for the Vodafone Group is one of constant improvement. Our enthusiastic commitment to CSR, reflected in this report, is no less ambitious.
Environment
Review of key impacts first set of Vodafone Group baseline data Established basis for setting key performance indicators Strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement Vodafone Group joined World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Global e-Sustainability Initiative and Business in the Community
Data Highlights
For the financial year ended 31 March 2002, and for Vodafone subsidiaries only.
Economy
Initial review of cash value added distribution Acknowledgement of importance of Digital Divide issue through Vodafone Group involvement in Digital Europe research project Global employee share ownership expanded
Society
Group Foundation established Policy on Social Investment published Review of key policies across Vodafone subsidiaries from communications on health concerns to handset theft Independent research into radio frequencies and health supported Major additional investment in support of independent research into radio frequency (RF) and health in UK and Germany Policy on independent radio frequency field monitoring established Active support for initiatives for mobile handset manufacturers to publish Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) levels Engagement with Governments to ensure best possible regulatory framework on RF is in place and implemented promptly
9.3m voluntary contributions to community programmes 800 employees involved in community projects 7 million committed for research into health and radio frequencies Networks comprise 67,000 base stations 1,800 million kWh electrical energy used across subsidiaries Of all energy consumed, 80% is used by network infrastructure, the remainder by offices and shops
Global emissions of approximately 1 million tonnes carbon dioxide throughout the Vodafone Group 310 tonnes of handsets returned, mostly for re-use or recycling 22.5 billion revenue generated of which 16.8 billion is distributed in taxes, salaries, dividends, interest and to the many thousands of suppliers who work with Vodafone Vodafone Group listed in FTSE4Good and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index
In this report, we record our progress on CSR issues and set out our objectives. We also set out Vodafone Group data, much of which will provide a basis for quantitative targets and performance goals for future reporting.
Value Creation
We believe that competition in a market economy, pursued in an ethical way, is the best way of delivering benefits to our stakeholders. We are committed to providing the best possible return for our shareholders. The criteria for our investment decisions, acquisitions and business relationships will be primarily economic but they will also include social and environmental considerations.
Public Policy
We will voice our opinions on government proposals and other matters that may affect our stakeholders but we will not make gifts or donations to political parties or intervene in party political matters.
Communications
We will communicate openly and transparently with all of our stakeholders within the bounds of commercial confidentiality.
Customers
We are committed to providing our customers with safe, reliable products and services that represent good value for money. We will work to understand, anticipate and respond to the needs of our customers and to provide them with innovative products and services. We value the trust our customers place in us and will safeguard the information provided to us in accordance with relevant laws.
Employees
Relationships with and between employees are based upon respect for individuals and their human rights. We will pursue equality of opportunity and diversity throughout employment policies. We will encourage our employees to reach their full potential through training and development. We will promote employee participation in share incentive plans.
This year, we have developed a new Social Responsibility section within www.vodafone.com/responsibility to communicate on CSR issues. We are using the web to disclose more information than is possible within a printed report. Our aim is to make the information interesting to a general audience with news, comment and features.
In 2001, Vodafone coverage near Galashiels in the Scottish Borders went down. Since the site was snowbound and isolated area, Les Weddell, a base station engineer, could not access the site initially. But with approval given, he waded uphill, off-track, for seven miles through waist-high snowdrifts to reach the site. Once the site was accessed, Les identified the problem and restored service before retracing his steps. His efforts were recognised in the first series of Local Hero posters which exemplify the four corporate values.
Our Vision and Values are at the heart of Vodafone as we move from being a portfolio of national businesses to an integrated multinational organisation. Performance against these values is now being incorporated into work programmes throughout the Vodafone Group. In the coming year, we will also be assessing each individuals contribution to living the values. Instrumental in helping to turn our values - for customers, for results, for our people as well as for the world around us into corporate behaviour has
been the introduction of Vodafone Group Business Principles. This was an important commitment made in last years CSR Report and was introduced earlier this year throughout the Vodafone Group. These Business Principles define our relationships with all our stakeholders - shareholders, employees, customers, business partners and suppliers, communities, governments and regulators. They also guide the business decisions that affect society and the environment. They are being implemented locally by Vodafone subsidiary
companies so that every employee in the Vodafone Group understands what is expected both of the company and of the individual. We expect to be judged on whether we live up to these principles. We have undertaken a formal assessment of this through our business risk identification process. All Chief Executive Officers of our subsidiaries are personally committed to implementing these principles. We will also promote examples of local good practice throughout the Vodafone Group and with our key suppliers.
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Individual Conduct
We expect all our employees to act with honesty, integrity and fairness. No form of bribery, including improper offers or payments to or from employees, will be tolerated. All employees are expected to avoid any contacts that might lead to, or suggest, a conflict of interest between their personal activities and the business of Vodafone. All employees are expected to avoid accepting hospitality or gifts that might appear to place them under an obligation.
Environment
We are committed to sustainable business practices and environmental protection. We will use finite resources carefully. We will promote the use of operational practices that reduce the environmental burden associated with our activities. We will support innovative developments in products and services that can offer environmental and social benefits.
Air conditioning facilities are an integral part of mobile switching centres, being necessary to prevent computer hardware and other electrical equipment from overheating. This air conditioning also has an energy demand derived from compressors and ventilators required to produce and circulate cool air respectively. Engineering experts in Vodafone Germany have successfully cut this energy demand by increasing the use of free flow cooling, a process that exploits the cooling energy potential of air outside the switching centre. Over a four year period, the amount of time using free air-cooling has been increased from 25% to 77%, greatly reducing the running time for compressors.
Vodafone Omnitel in Italy, in collaboration with the Association of Blood Donors Friends of Milan Polyclinic, has launched a service whereby over 16,000 voluntary, registered blood donors are alerted to blood donor sessions in their area in the Milan region. The hospital can send out an SMS to donors registered on its database through the Vodafone Omnitel short message centre, direct to donors handsets, regardless of which operator they use and free of charge. Confirmation of successful delivery of the SMS is given to the hospital. Donors will shortly be able to confirm their attendance by sending an SMS by return.
Management Systems
Our goal is to build, by the end of 2003, a Vodafone Group CSR management system that reflects Vodafones organisational structure and provides the framework for measurable performance on CSR. Significant progress has been made this year in laying the foundations for this system. In addition to the Business Principles, Group CSR reporting templates have been developed by the CSR network to measure and report key environmental and social impacts in a consistent way. Some of the data gathered so far is presented in subsequent sections of this report. A proprietary web-based data collection tool has also been identified (called ENVOY) and will be piloted as a means of gathering CSR data and allowing both the Group CSR team and the Vodafone subsidiary participants to view relevant information. This system will be assessed for its application as a tool to manage CSR information at the Vodafone Group level. Vodafones global CSR management system will set the overall direction and parameters for CSR performance while retaining operational flexibility for delivery at local level. This will be in keeping with our approach to all areas of our business sharing a vision, setting common standards, but allowing Vodafone people who understand local context and local needs the freedom to deliver their Passion for the World Around Us. Four Vodafone Group subsidiaries already have ISO14001 and others will be reviewing and assessing the contribution that this management standard might have for their own operations.
WORLD AROUND US STEERING COMMITTEE CSR TEAM MONTHLY REVIEWS TWICE YEARLY REPORT TO GORC & GPC
Delivering Our Values: Statement by Julian Horn-Smith, Group Chief Operating Officer
Vodafone has been an influential pioneer in delivering mobile telecommunications to the mass market. We constantly strive to provide our customers with new services and applications that offer imaginative solutions to the challenges of living and working in the modern world.
We also believe that our mobile telecommunications infrastructure has unique potential to deliver wider social, environmental and economic benefits. As the Vodafone Group consolidates under a global brand, centred around our Vision and Values, we are determined to grow in ways that are economically sustainable, yet compatible with our commitment to CSR. The following sections report on how we are putting our commitment into action; we are now ready to move forward with initiatives that will deliver
measurable results. By the end of 2003, I envisage that our subsidiaries will be systematically managing the impact of their businesses on the world around them and be engaged in making important social and environmental contributions. On the following pages we introduce our CSR programme and set out the goals we aim to achieve. At the end of this report we introduce specific commitments, many of which will be the basis on which quantifiable targets are set in the coming
years. Having established the cornerstone of our CSR programme, we look forward to reporting on our progress in the future.
ACTION
VISION
VALUES
BUSINESS PRINCIPLES
GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
GROUP POLICIES
The Vodafone-US Foundation together with the Vodafone UK Charitable Trust contributed $1 million to the Liberty Disaster Relief Fund of the American Red Cross to help victims of September 11th and other disasters. In the United States, our Foundation completed its first year as the renamed Vodafone-US Foundation. With a vision of, Helping People Help Themselves, and a renewed focus on families, children and youth, the Foundation distributed grants totalling over $1.3 million.
The Vodafone Telecel Foundation in Portugal is supporting Internet access at a youth centre in Dili, East Timor. The Fr. Antonio Veira Youth Centre is a joint project between the 12 November Association and the Company of Jesus and Movjovem, which provides study facilities and organises occupational training courses, using information technology to support its activities. It is open to the whole community and in particular to young Timorese to help their personal development and enable them to play a part in the reconstruction of their country. The agreement to provide support for the Internet access was signed by both the CEO of Vodafone Portugal and the Chairman of the Vodafone Telecel Foundation.
Stakeholder Engagement
We will also support programmes that attempt to increase accessibility or that make creative use of our technology in the areas of arts and culture, community health, education and employability. Promoting sustainable business practice and environmental protection. We want to help protect the natural environment, globally and in the communities where we operate. We also want to support programmes that use our technology to help solve environmental problems. Supporting the personal involvement of our employees in their local communities. We believe that our employees are our strongest link with local communities. We want to support their voluntary efforts to improve those communities. Within this framework, local Foundations and community programmes will retain the flexibility to identify and respond to the most local pressing needs and interests. Dedicated to continuous improvement. We are committed to accurate measurement and reporting of the value of social investment, the benefits it generates for communities and the company and its longer-term effectiveness in meeting community needs. We will consult with our stakeholders and community partners on how we can improve our social investment performance. Vodafone will encourage suppliers to develop appropriate programmes of social investment. We will regularly rethink and adapt our approach as we aspire to be at the leading edge of corporate social investment.
A key component in the development of Vodafone`s CSR strategy, and one of our main commitments from last year, has been our continuing engagement with stakeholders. This has been open and two way and has seen significant consultation both externally and internally across the Vodafone Group. We have been actively involved in public policy forums for example, through the appointment of our Director of Corporate Responsibility to the UK Government body that advises on environmental issues connected with the development of consumer products. We have developed partnerships with organisations such as Forum for the Future and Fauna & Flora International, leading non-government organisations in sustainable development and conservation respectively. This year, we have also joined the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, a coalition of 160 companies with a shared commitment to sustainable development through economic growth, environmental protection and social progress. This will provide an opportunity to work with other organisations on relevant projects and to exchange learning and best practice. We have also joined the Global e-Sustainability Initiative and Business in the Community (see above). Through organisations like these we can contribute to important projects, such as the ongoing development of the Global Reporting Initiative, putting us in a position to assess accurately their relevance and application to our own programmes. Through a range of activities, during 2002-03, including the launch of our new CSR website, we will build on such relationships, ensuring that the development of Vodafones attitudes and practices on CSR are well-informed and soundly based. See Summary of Objectives and Commitments on page 20.
The Vodafone UK Foundation flagship project, YouthNet, has received 3 million. YouthNet provides access to unbiased information, help and advice for young people through www.TheSite.org so that they can make informed choices for themselves. The funding has facilitated: 1.2 million PIs (page impressions) per month on the web site - 300% over target in the first 8 months Development of a National Youth Census, the first of its kind in the UK, which will collate young peoples attitudes towards issues such as health, sex, work and careers Launch of TheSite.org internet kiosks (Surf-it)-designed to take free internet access to young people through a mix of drop-in centres and commercial venues Launch of the first e_bus> which provides free mobile access to the internet. It will visit places and events where large numbers of people congregate.
Canteen, a New Zealand charity for teenage cancer sufferers, recently received a NZ$1 million donation from Vodafone New Zealand to mark the companys one millionth customer in New Zealand. The funds will be used for education and recreation programmes. The money was donated after the New Zealand public was asked to nominate five favourite charities. Vodafone New Zealand customers competed for the chance to choose the charity from the top five by entering the Million Dollar Question competition, answering five questions via a text message or entry form. More than 85,000 votes were cast for the top five charities. The runners up shared more than NZ$11,000 raised by the text voting and each charity received 10,000 minutes of free Vodafone airtime.
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Working together
2.48m
Regional Distribution of Community Contributions* Northern Europe, Middle East and Africa Southern Europe Central Europe Americas/Asia Pacific Total
*These groupings reflect the Vodafone organisational structure
Million
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Security of Handsets
Tackling mobile phone crime has received high profile coverage in the UK recently and is an emerging issue in other Vodafone subsidiaries. Initiatives adopted in the UK, including investing in technology to track and disable stolen phones and exchanging blacklists between operators, will be reviewed with all Vodafone Group companies with a view to creating a global stolen phone database by the end of 2003. See Summary of Objectives and Commitments on page 20.
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CO2 Emissions
1,000
kg/minute
A comprehensive baseline assessment of environmental performance Group data that will allow us to identify and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which we will report against in future years.
400
500
200
0 Network Offices
0 Indirect Direct
0.000
*Data from indicative range of subsidiaries. Range varies according to the population density, network configuration and type of fuel used for electrical energy generation.
It is possible to examine our energy efficiency in a number of ways; the insert diagram presents average kilograms of CO2 per minute of calls transmitted or received across the Vodafone Group. The range across the Group is highly variable according to the configuration of the network and call density. As new mobile technologies and services emerge, we will continue to review energy consumption patterns associated with our operations. Our objective is to improve the energy efficiency of our operations and reduce the associated emissions of greenhouse gases. See Summary of Objectives and Commitments on page 20. An efficient mobile telecommunications network also needs a back-up power supply. Typically, batteries kept in store or stand-by diesel generators provide this back-up, bringing additional environmental management issues. In order to help us address these across the Vodafone Group, the Vodafone R&D team in Germany earlier this year launched a project to examine the environmental benefits that may come from alternative forms of power back-up (see above).
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A Vodafone Spain base station sited close to Alfabia Gardens near Soller (Mallorca). The antennas and mast have been designed to simulate the outline of a cactus with the cabin enclosed in a stone-clad structure.
Green Power
Vodafone Pilotentwicklung in Munich is currently undertaking an R&D Project, Green Power, to evaluate the suitability of alternative fuel technologies for backup systems in telecommunications cellsites. The initial focus is on fuel cells and photovoltaic elements (see picture left), both of which are clean energy technologies that have become much more efficient in recent years. Currently, cellsites are equipped with batteries or generators using diesel to maintain telecommunication services during a power failure of the primary energy supply. Depending on the type of backup system, service can be maintained for several hours before the primary power supply is needed to load up the battery again or the fuel tank of the generator has to be filled. A key objective for Green Power is to show how Vodafone can reduce the environmental impact of operating its telecommunication networks. In addition, alternative energy sources provide an opportunity to be independent of the local energy supply infrastructure, improving airtime availability and introducing the possibility of providing network services in regions not served by the grid.
lower the score, the less the visual intrusion. Following this pilot programme, the methodology will be applied by Vodafone Spain across its network. Vodafone Group is committed to responsible network development, working closely with local communities and planning authorities to ensure that inappropriate visual intrusion is avoided. This may include sharing the installations with other operators where there are opportunities without compromising the quality of our service. See Summary of Objectives and Commitments on page 20.
to responsible use and, where appropriate, to phasing out these substances. This process has started with a comprehensive update of the inventory of refrigerants and fire suppressants held in our operations. The insert diagram above summarises the typical range of refrigerants held in our networks. The initial data indicates that approximately 160 tonnes of refrigerants are held in the network inventory, with an additional 17 tonnes in offices. The amount of fire suppressants held is estimated at 450 tonnes (network) and 45 tonnes (offices). We are committed to employing good practice in managing potentially harmful substances. See Summary of Objectives and Commitments on page 20.
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used last year were recycled. Local initiatives to promote the efficient and environmentally-preferred use of materials and resources in offices will be encouraged as part of involving employees in our Passion for the World Around Us.
310 tonnes of returned handsets, batteries and accessories, 297 tonnes of which were re-used or recycled. This equates to about 500,000 handsets. Over the next year, we are targeting the collection of 500 tonnes. See Summary of Objectives and Commitments on page 20.
Waste Management
Typical Waste Streams Networks
Electrical Equipment (eg. redundant switches) Cables Metal (eg. antennas, ironwork supports) Wood Batteries
13 33
189
Waste Management
The Vodafone Group, like almost all businesses, creates waste material. Waste is generated by all of our operations, from network engineering through to offices and retail outlets. The preliminary data indicates that total waste generated in the Vodafone Group is around 18,000 tonnes, the majority of this being classified as non-hazardous waste. To put this into context, this is roughly equivalent to the weight of household waste produced by 36,000 people in the UK in 2000-01. The typical waste streams are summarised in the insert diagram. There are some excellent examples of re-use and recycling in the Vodafone Group. In the UK, for example, Vodafones network teams worked with Shields Environmental Ltd. to re-use or recycle over 97% of obsolete network infrastructure equipment. Looking forward, new legislation such as the proposed EU Waste Electrical and Electronic See summary of Objectives and Commitments on page 20.
Equipment Directive, will require organisations to examine waste management issues for the complete life-cycle of products. It is our objective to progressively increase the efficient use of materials.
a personal in-car assistant which offers a remote operator service, traffic information, emergency and roadside assistance and a voice activated handset. The traffic management system can help improve traffic flows, thereby reducing emissions especially from idling engines in traffic congestion. Closer to home, we have already taken practical steps to make the most of our own technology at the Groups Headquarters in Newbury UK. By utilising GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) we have developed a travel system that will give employees access, either through their PCs or mobiles, to real time information on the companys own shuttle buses. The system will in future be sold as part of our corporate portfolio under the name VoRTIS (Vodafone Real Time Information System). See Summary of Objectives and Commitments on page 20.
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5,782 12,302
11 1,062
Retained Employees Shareholder Dividends Lenders Governments and Regulators (Taxes Only) Community Contributions
1,996
852 545
Customers
The total income generated by our customers through the purchase of our products and services over the last year was 22.55 billion. Our customer base is unrivalled among mobile operators and is the foundation on which our economic success is built. Our strategy is to focus on high value customers, building revenue through the provision of products and services that enrich their lives.
Employees
The average number of employees in Vodafone Group over 2001-02 was 67,000. Our employees are a significant recipient of cash expenditure, receiving a little under 2 billion in total. Further sections of this report provide details of our employment policies and principles.
includes taxes on the profits generated and other forms of excise duty. In 2001-02, amounts paid to governments and regulators totalled 545 million.
Community Contributions
Our voluntary donations to communities are detailed in earlier sections of this report. In total during 2001-02, and including those payments made from local Foundations set up as part of licence conditions, our total community contributions amount to 11.8 million. This year we have launched The Vodafone Group Foundation to facilitate global and local contributions to community projects and programmes. The value generated by these Foundations will be reported in future years.
Shareholders
This year, returns to shareholders in the form of dividend payments amounted to some 1.06 billion. Dividend payments have been increasing in successive years for a total of 13 years, a trend that reflects the sustained growth and economic success of the Vodafone Group since the early days of its existence.
Suppliers
Over the last year, Vodafone made payments of more than 12 billion to our suppliers. These include the many thousands of small enterprises that work alongside our operations around the world, as well as some of the global players in the telecommunications sector. Within this network of suppliers, jobs are created and wealth is generated. After payment to suppliers, income is distributed between five additional stakeholder groups: employees; shareholders; organisations that have made loans to Vodafone; governments and regulators; and communities. The remainder is retained for further development of the business.
Lenders
This year, net interest payments of 852 million were made to lenders.
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Emergency services relied on mobile communications during flooding of River Tisza in northeast Hungary in 2001. Reuters/Laszlo Balogh.
A core element of Digital Europe will be a set of case studies exploring how each of its partner companies are using ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) to promote social and environmental sustainability. The project is coordinated by Forum For the Future (FFF), a nongovernmental organisation which focuses on sustainable development. Digital Europe has three main research areas: eco-efficiency and dematerialisation; social inclusion and sustainable regional development; e-business and corporate social responsibility. Vodafone has chosen the third area for project support. Digital Europe will research the role of mobile telecommunications in promoting sustainable social and economic development in eastern Europe, and will survey the progress of the mobile society. In particular, it will focus on the role of wireless as a leapfrog technology over conventional fixed line for bridging the Digital Divide.
Consultation has taken place with many areas of the telecommunications industry in Poland and with those interested in Polands social and economic development. Research will continue throughout 2002 and will aim to help develop strategies to ensure that mobile telecommunication is used to its full potential by individuals and businesses. For further information see www.digital-eu.org
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Selected Partnerships
The Vitamin-e network, an initiative which is facilitated by Forum for the Future, brings together key stakeholders to explore the social and environmental opportunities that digital technologies create and generate practical ventures that use technology in new and exciting ways. For further information see www.vitamin-e.net The Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum focuses on building partnerships as a more effective and legitimate approach to engaging business in development. For further information see www.iblf.org
Sir Christopher Gent, Chief Executive, officially opens the Vodafone office in Beijing, China.
Led by the Chief Executive of GP&S, the team harnesses the skills and expertise of Vodafones subsidiaries to create global ways of working. In terms of product development, GP&S works with Vodafones subsidiaries and business partners to develop products and services which have global appeal, make use of global technology platforms and enrich and enhance customers lives. Crucially, product offerings must be easy to use and of the highest quality. For example, Virtual Home Environment, launched in 2001, gives customers the ease of use and seamless service they enjoy when they are in their home country. Fourteen Vodafone subsidiaries have now integrated this service into their networks. In addition, e-wallet and micropayment products are in the pipeline for 2002 and will enable customers, particularly those who do not have a credit card, to make transactions via their handsets and encourage the use of handsets beyond voice communication.
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2001
2002
Human Rights
Operating in different countries across five continents, it is inevitable that Vodafone Group employees work within different frameworks of national employment legislation. Nevertheless, Vodafone Group is committed to protect and uphold basic human rights by treating all employees with respect. Part of that commitment is our support of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR) and the International Labour Organisations (ILO) Core Conventions.
Equality of Opportunity
We believe that each employee has a unique contribution to make to the success of the business. We have put in place policies and procedures to ensure that all decisions about the appointment, treatment and advancement of employees are based on merit. Under the overall direction of the Group Human Resources Director we have established a set of Vodafone Group policies on human resource issues. These set out first principles, specifying minimum standards and providing a framework for application and development locally throughout the Vodafone Group. The policies ensure consistency in: equality of opportunity fair terms and conditions of employment employee involvement, communication and trade union recognition, and a code of conduct
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to ensure that they are keeping pace with best practice. For 2001/02, all Vodafone subsidiaries were asked to report on the health and safety performance with specific reference to the numbers of accidents at work and time lost. We can report that there were no deaths resulting from work accidents. Although the incidence of accidents is low, we do, of course, regard any accident as being one too many. We are fully committed to taking the necessary action to further reduce the already low levels around the Vodafone Group. To meet our objective of continuously reviewing our health and safety performance, we will develop and
implement a consistent, internal accident reporting standard. See Summary of Objectives and Commitments on page 20. Occupational health in Vodafones call centres is taken very seriously. Across the Vodafone Group, we are committed to providing a good environment and interesting work for all our call centre people. A good example is at Brindleyplace, the largest Vodafone call centre in the UK, where there are opportunities to work across many disciplines - monitoring and managing the centres workflow, resource and forecasting, on the technical helpdesk and in training.
Vodafone US
has updated its health and safety manual, including a section on violence an increasing concern for many companies worldwide. It has also held ergonomic training sessions to help people set up their workstations correctly. Vodafone US had a year free from accidents causing loss of time.
Vodafone Spain
has introduced training in safe driving techniques, which it now plans to expand. It has developed a new system of contractor control to further ensure the safety of contractor based operations.
Vodafone Ireland
has developed the capability to train in-house on construction safety with over 100 field and facility employees having undergone the training to hold the SAFE PASS qualification.
Vodafone Omnitel
in Italy has implemented a health and safety management system, which ensures that every employee understands the company health and safety systems and receives specific training targeted to their own activities.
Share Schemes
Although many companies grant share options to their directors and senior managers, only a few have offered them to all employees - and fewer still to the majority of their employees worldwide. However, right from the start Vodafone has been committed to providing share ownership opportunities to its employees, enabling them to become part owners and to share in the success of the company. All UK based and some non-UK based employees have for many years had the opportunity to participate in different share plans. During 2001-02, we went one-step further and granted options to all permanent employees in the majority of our subsidiary companies. This option grant, named Global Employee Options, or GEM Options for short, builds on the foundations of share purchase and option plans that already exist in Vodafone and its listed subsidiary companies. Due to the success of GEM Options in 2001, the Company has decided to make a further GEM Option grant in 2002 to all employees of participating companies, including those in the UK and US. It is
anticipated that this will cover over 55,000 employees. As of 31 March 2002, about 85% of Vodafone Group employees either own or have an option over Vodafone Group shares in Vodafone Group companies. The extension of the share plan globally was recognised by Vodafone being the joint recipient of the 2001 ProShare award for Most Successful International Expansion of Employee Share Ownership. (ProShare is an independent not-forprofit organisation which promotes wider share ownership and financial education).
our status as an employer. Employees are also free to join trade unions or similar external representative organisations. For 2001-02, the core activity of the Vodafone Group Internal Communications team has been the development and implementation of Vodafones Vision and Values throughout the Vodafone Group. A crucial part of this has been the personal championship by Sir Christopher Gent and Julian Horn-Smith, who have addressed over 25,000 employees in 13 countries. In addition, a new Vodafone Group quarterly magazine, a newsoriented, on-line intranet channel and a staff handbook are being used to communicate the Vodafones Groups Vision and Values.
20
Objective
A Group CSR management system.
Commitment
By When
Build from data collected in 2001/02, selecting key performance End 2003 indicators that are directly relevant to our business. Other commitments set out below provide components of a management system. Launch a specific communications programme on CSR and monitor employee awareness and commitment. Develop CSR training material and incorporate this into existing corporate training modules. End 2002
Build awareness and commitment to CSR with employees and develop employee involvement strategy.
Implement a comprehensive stakeholder engagement programme on CSR. Ensure that the information and data relating to our CSR performance are comprehensive, complete and accurate. Measure the social/environmental value generated by the Group and subsidiaries Foundation activities. Establish greater transparency and access to information on EMF and SAR for all our stakeholders.
Strengthen engagement with key partners and stakeholders and contribute to business-led initiatives on sustainable development. Start a process of internal peer review of CSR performance between subsidiaries and report on findings. Use the London Benchmarking Group model to report on activities in 2002/03. This will provide a basis for setting quantitative targets for 2003/04. Ensure the public have up-to-date information on RF field strength in selected areas which have been independently determined. This will provide a basis for setting quantitative targets for 2003/04. Issue a Vodafone Group document on health and other concerns. Develop Vodafone Group standards on responsible network development.
Social Investment
March 2003
March 2003
End 2002 March 2003 March 2003 June 2003 End 2003 March 2003 March 2003
Marketing
Ensure consistent responsible marketing practices Produce responsible marketing policy document and across the Vodafone Group in relation to CSR issues. make it available to the public. Implement training programme for retail staff. This will provide a basis for setting quantitative targets for 2003/04.
Security of Handsets Offer direct, practical assistance against mobile phone theft. Products and Services Energy Promote products and services that bring social and environmental benefits. Progressively improve the energy efficiency of our operations. Progressively increase efficiency in the use of materials and resources. Employ good practice in managing environmentally harmful substances. Employ best practice in managing the reuse and recycling of our products. Promote CSR best practice in our supply chain. Continuously review our health and safety performance across the Vodafone Group.
Create a global database of stolen phones. Identify and assess these market needs and opportunities and review with a selection of independent stakeholders. Complete an assessment of energy consumption in our operations to identify best practice and set a basis for quantitative targets by 2003/4. Complete an assessment of waste management in our operations to identify and promote best practice This will provide a basis for setting quantitative targets for 2003/04. Draw up and implement a time-scaled action plan to replace environmentally harmful refrigerants and fire suppressants where effective and affordable alternatives exist. Target 500 tonnes of handsets, batteries and accessories reused/recycled. Initiate and report on CSR related initiatives with three of our global supply partners. Develop and implement an internal recording standard for, and reporting of, accidents across the Vodafone Group, to establish a baseline for measuring future performance improvements.
Waste
March 2003
Refrigerants and Fire Suppressants Handsets and Accessories Suppliers Health and Safety
March 2003
Telecommunications networks have a major role to play in progress towards a sustainable society. By connecting people and communities, mobile telephony has the potential to deliver new opportunities for more sustainable social and economic development. Vodafone has grown massively in the recent past, and now represents the largest community of mobile telephone users in the world. It has been a real challenge for the CSR team to begin understanding the full range of impacts and opportunities that Vodafones global business creates. This report is testament to the progress that has been made. While it is clear that Vodafone is only at the start of a long road, Forum for the Future welcomes the commitment to transforming Vodafone into a more sustainable business that is evident in these pages.
Jonathon Porritt, Programme Director, Forum for the Future.
We were asked by Vodafone Group Plc to read the report The World Around Us (the Report) and to provide our comments. The Report covers a broad range of issues, spanning the triple bottom line of environmental, social and economic performance, along the Groups value chain but has not set out to meet any specified corporate responsibility reporting guidelines. The Report makes a series of firm commitments to improve the coverage and robustness of data reporting systems but acknowledges that performance data is incomplete and variable in quality. The information relating to the linkage of corporate social responsibility issues and corporate governance structures and processes is particularly valuable and this area could be usefully explored in more detail in future reports. Whilst there are several areas where reporting can be strengthened, it represents a valuable development in communicating the Groups values and commitments. We were not asked to provide an assurance statement of any kind and we have not carried out any work in relation to the reliability of data or statements set out in the Report.
Deloitte & Touche Environment and Sustainability Services Team, June 2002
We want to encourage the widest participation and would like to hear from you on any aspect of this report. Please send any comments or suggestions to our Corporate Responsibility Team at responsibility@vodafone.com, write to us at the address overleaf, or send us a fax.
We want to keep the environmental impact of the documents in our annual report package to a minimum. We have therefore given careful consideration to the production process. The paper used was manufactured in the UK at mills with ISO14001 accreditation. It is 75% recycled from de-inked post consumer waste. This document was printed by The Beacon Press, which is accredited to ISO14001 environmental management system, using waterless technology and inks which are vegetable based. By undertaking production on one site, further environmental savings in terms of transport and energy are achieved. All the steps we have taken demonstrate our commitment to making sustainable choices.
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