The new report clearly states the BMW Group's position on sustainability: identify demands and reflect on challenges; invest in the future; understand that success and sustainability belong together - and then seize that opportunity.
The new Sustainable Value Report once again sets new standards in terms of both content and form. This is the first time the key pillars of the sustainability strategy revised in spring 2009 have been presented. Sustainability has now been established Group-wide as a corporate target and measured by means of a balanced scorecard. This allows detailed guidelines to be developed for all BMW Group divisions.
All proposals must now be measured against the corporate goal of sustainability. Every project submitted to the BMW Group Board of Management for approval must first be evaluated according to sustainability criteria. These include aspects such as resource consumption and emissions as well as the social and sociopolitical implications of the different options.
The BMW Group has also overhauled its sustainability organisation: In summer 2009, a Sustainability Board was established at the highest management level. This board, which comprises the entire Board of Management, will determine the strategic alignment for corporate sustainability. Twice a year, its members will meet to discuss and adopt the strategies and activities proposed at operational level by the Sustainability Circle.
The new Sustainable Value Report is classified as Application Level A - the highest ranking in the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) international guidelines for sustainability reports.
The BMW Group's Sustainable Value Report 2008 was also produced in compliance with strict environmental standards. The report is printed on 100 % recycled paper, and the carbon emissions generated through the production of the report have been offset. The new Sustainable Value Report also conforms with the requirements of the Blue Angel" (RAL-UZ 14) environmental label, considered one of the world's strictest environmental labels.
Just a few days ago the BMW Group was once again able to defend its leading position as the most sustainable automobile company in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. The BMW Group has been listed in this major sustainability index for 10 years - and has been the industry number one in for the last five consecutive years.
The new Sustainable Value Report 2008 is available online at: www.bmwgroup.com/...