What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Bucher Industries identified a range of material issues, such as customer satisfaction, economic value creation, customer health and safety, environmental impact of products and services. Among these, promoting compliance stands out as a key material issue for Bucher Industries.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Bucher Industries engages with: 

To identify and prioritise material topics Bucher Industries engaged with its stakeholders through the following channels:

Stakeholder Group	Method of engagement
Employees	·      Daily interaction ·      Regular staff meetings ·      Intranet, newsletter ·      Trainings ·      Employee representatives ·      “Eurocommittees”
Customers	·      Daily interaction ·      Regular personal contact ·      Workshops/visits ·      Conferences ·      Social media, newsletter ·      Customer surveys ·      Trade fairs ·      Industry associations
Dealers/distributors	·      Regular meetings ·      Trade fairs ·      Technical training programmes
Suppliers	·      Regular interaction ·      Supplier days ·      Forecasting systems
Shareholders/financial institutions	·      Financial reports and press releases ·      Sustainability report ·      Annual general meeting ·      Analyst conferences and calls ·      Investor days and roadshows
Local communities	·      Engagement projects ·      Funding requests ·      Open-door events
Regulators/authorities	·      Memberships in industry associations

What actions were taken by Bucher Industries to promote compliance?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Bucher Industries reports that it took the following actions for promoting compliance:

• Implementing a Code of Conduct
• All new employees in Bucher Industries’ group companies receive a copy of its Code of Conduct at hiring, along with the compliance regulations applicable to their function. New employees who have a company e-mail address complete online training on the Code of Conduct as well as on the subjects of anti-corruption, competition law and data protection, commensurate with their function. All group directives on the subject of compliance are based on the Code of Conduct. Compliance officers at group, division and local level support the implementation of the Code of Conduct and directives and report regularly to group management. They also serve as contact people for management and personnel for compliance questions and make sure that questions are forwarded to the body responsible for processing. Compliance officers meet periodically for training and specific courses, and compliance implementation is checked in internal audits. Employees can turn to local or divisional compliance officers, the group compliance officer, their superior or the group CEO as contact persons to report compliance breaches or suspicions. In cases of suspected compliance breaches, it is not necessary to follow the management line.

• Promoting compliance with competition law
• In line with the potential risk involved, the directive on competition law is intended for all management roles in Bucher Industries and other functional areas that are exposed to this issue. This includes members of group management, division management and the management boards of subsidiaries; managers in purchasing, logistics, sales, marketing, finance and controlling; HR and legal departments; and all compliance officers. All employees in these functions were issued the directive and completed an online training course on competition law. New employees receive the directive as part of their induction and complete the online training in the same way. Members of group management and division management along with other selected persons received additional training in classroom courses. In 2019, 192 new employees completed the online training. Participation in the training is compulsory and monitored.

• Combatting corruption
• In line with the potential risk involved, the corruption prevention guidelines are intended for all management roles in Bucher Industries and other functional areas that are exposed to this issue. This includes members of group management, division management and the management boards of subsidiaries; managers in purchasing, logistics, sales, marketing, finance and controlling; HR and legal departments; staff in all sales, purchasing and customer service departments; controlling and finance personnel with internal or external signatory authorisation and all compliance officers. All employees in these functions were issued the directive and completed an online training course on corruption prevention. New employees receive the directive as part of their induction and complete the online training in the same way. In the reporting period, 658 new employees completed the online training. Participation in the training is compulsory and monitored. Additionally, guidelines on collaboration with intermediaries set out binding measures to prevent corruption. Engaging with new intermediaries is only possible if a specific audit and risk assessment is carried out and the intermediary has been authorised in an internal approval procedure. The guidelines were implemented in 2016 and compliance is checked during annual internal audits. In 2019 (as in 2018), no corruption-related proceedings were pending. Once again, attempts at corruption by suppliers were prevented in 2019 thanks to the vigilance of employees across the Group. Certain suppliers and employees were sent a written reminder of the applicable rules. In consultation with compliance officers, the exceptional acceptance of gifts from suppliers is reviewed on a case-by-case basis by divisional management.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

2) Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices

 

Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.3

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

• Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
• Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
• Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
• Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Bucher Industries, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Bucher Industries: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report PPL identified a range of material issues, such as economic viability, operational efficiency, emissions reduction, innovation and technology, workforce development. Among these, promoting compliance and business integrity stands out as a key material issue for PPL.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups PPL engages with:

To identify and prioritise material topics PPL engaged with its stakeholders through the following channels: 

Stakeholder Group	Method of engagement
Communities	·      Support for events and programmes of nonprofits, chambers and associations ·      Support for community energy groups in the U.K. ·      Volunteerism (board service, events, long-term programmes)
Customers	·      Websites ·      Consumer advisory panels ·      Customer commitment advisory forums ·      Market research ·      Demand-side management/energy efficiency advisory groups ·      Billing statements and messaging ·      Email newsletters ·      News releases and local media ·      Customer feedback (surveys, online comments, phone calls) ·      Account management ·      J.D. Power survey
Employees	·      Company intranet ·      Training events ·      Town hall meetings ·      Employee feedback (via surveys) ·      Volunteer programmes ·      Business resource groups ·      Performance reviews
Facility neighbours	·      Plant advisory committees ·      Newsletters for plant neighbours
Government (local, state, federal)	·      Continuous dialogue ·      Attendance at and participation in meetings and hearings with regulators and policymakers
Industry associations	Attendance at regular meetings and conferences and active       participation in organisations such as: ·      Edison Electric Institute ·      Electric Power Research Institute ·      American Gas Association ·      Energy Networks Association (U.K.) ·      State chambers of commerce and industry associations
Environmental groups	·      Ongoing discussions and partnerships around specific topics related to operational activities
Shareowners	·      Continuous dialogue ·      Quarterly earnings news releases ·      Investor relations website ·      Active outreach including meetings at investor conferences, roadshows and conference calls
Suppliers	·      Supplier meetings ·      Supplier networking summits

What actions were taken by PPL to promote compliance and business integrity?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report PPL reports that it took the following actions for promoting compliance and business integrity:

• Implementing the Standards of Integrity
• PPL’s board expects its directors and all PPL officers to act ethically at all times and adhere to the policies set forth in PPL’s Standards of Integrity. Every member of the Board of Directors receives a copy of the Standards of Integrity. It is the responsibility of each director to advise the corporate secretary of any actual or potential conflict of interest and any affiliation with public or privately held enterprises, including for-profit and nonprofit entities that may create a potential conflict of interest to the company or inconsistency with applicable laws, company policies or values. Every employee is expected to read, understand and comply with the Standards of Integrity and associated company policies. In addition, employees are expected to report any compliance or ethics concerns to their immediate supervisors or via another appropriate reporting mechanism, including anonymous reporting mechanisms that are in place and publicised to employees. PPL takes any instance of noncompliance seriously. Failure to obey laws and regulations or violations of company policies may result in employee discipline to the extent permissible under applicable law, up to and including termination. Employees receive annual training on the Standards of Integrity. As part of the training, every employee is required to certify that he or she understands the expectation to report misconduct and understands that PPL will not tolerate any form of retaliation for any report made in good faith. All training is tracked, recorded and reported to executive leadership and the Audit Committee. Targeted communications on key compliance and ethics topics are also issued as needed.

• Providing an EthicsHelpline
• PPL employees are expected to ask questions or raise concerns about the application or interpretation of the Standards of Integrity. PPL does not discriminate against, or tolerate any form of retaliation toward, employees who ask questions or raise concerns in good faith, and provides an “EthicsHelpline” for confidential and, if desired, anonymous reporting of concerns. PPL’s EthicsHelpline toll-free phone number and internet site are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The EthicsHelpline, which is managed by an external vendor to promote confidence in confidentiality, is also accessible on the internet. In addition to employees, suppliers, customers and other external parties can use the EthicsHelpline to report concerns. Guidelines are in place for promptly responding to allegations of misconduct and include notifying the vice president and global chief compliance officer of the allegations, and this position has a dotted-line reporting relationship to the chair of the Audit Committee. Issues and trends are identified and reported to the Audit Committee. Allegations are handled and key statistics are reported to the Audit Committee each quarter, with the most serious allegations being reported on an expedited basis to the chair of the Audit Committee as soon as reasonably practicable after initial intake discussions.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standard addressed in this case is: Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

• Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
• Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
• Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
• Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by PPL, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to PPL: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report B.Grimm Power identified a range of material issues, such as business growth, power generation efficiency, waste management, climate resilience and greenhouse gas management. Among these, promoting ethical business conduct stands out as a key material issue for B.Grimm Power.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups B.Grimm Power engages with:

To identify and prioritise material topics B.Grimm Power engaged with its stakeholders through the following channels: 

Stakeholder Group	Method of engagement
Shareholders and Investors	·      Shareholders’ meetings arrangement ·      Company’s operating results disclosure ·      Analyst meetings arrangement ·      Public Exposure and Road Show ·      Opportunity Day ·      Company visits arrangement ·      Investor Relations Contact Channel ·      Dissemination of information on the website ·      Surveys
Regulatory and government agencies	·      Meetings with relevant regulatory and government agencies on a regular basis ·      Participation in activities of regulatory and government agencies and relevant on a regular basis ·      Company visits ·      Joint activities to communicate and exchange opinions, and maintain good relationships ·      Occasional meetings
Employees	·      Communication of policy and news through meetings, activities and electronic media ·      Internal communication such as emails, announcements, messages/public relations photos ·      Meetings between executives and employees and occasional meetings ·      Performance appraisal ·      Employee engagement survey ·      Whistleblowing and grievances channel
Customers	·      Visits and meetings ·      Company visits ·      Customer satisfaction survey ·      Participation in activities with customers ·      Call Centre and SMS to customers ·      Customer complaints Channels
Business partners and suppliers	·      Business negotiation and information exchange and business advice ·      Mutual discussions meetings ·      Company visits ·      Cooperation and collaboration ·      Supplier selection and product and service procurement ·      Evaluation of product and service quality ·      Whistleblowing and grievance channel ·      Occasional visits
Creditors	·      Meetings and information exchange ·      Company operating results disclosure ·      Company visits ·      Occasional meetings
Community and Society	·      Socioeconomic survey and Public Opinions ·      Meetings with communities and government agencies ·      Organisation of social development activities ·      Company visits ·      Field trips to meet and talk with villagers or community leaders ·      Annual survey on economic and social state and community opinions ·      Communication and public relations ·      Whistleblowing and grievance channel
Media	·      Press conference ·      Information disclosure through website and press release ·      Interviews with executives ·      Company visits ·      Media visits on different occasions such as media anniversary activity

What actions were taken by B.Grimm Power to promote ethical business conduct?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report B.Grimm Power reports that it took the following actions for promoting ethical business conduct:

• Implementing a Code of Conduct
• Grimm Power is committed to conducting its business in compliance with its Code of Conduct and uses its corporate culture of professionalism as a tool for driving employees at all levels to raise their awareness and compliance with the Code of Conduct. B.Grimm Power expects that all employees are honest, ethical, responsible, harmonious and creative, well-behaved and a good role model to foster truly qualified personnel while strictly complying with the Code of Conduct to maintain and add good value to the organisation and related stakeholders. In 2019, B.Grimm Power required employees to attend and pass 100% exams on the Code of Conduct, anti-corruption and whistleblowing via an e-Learning system, to enable employees to understand and comply with policies and procedures in order to develop and create value for the departments and the organisation.

• Combatting corruption
• Grimm Power has a strong intent and commitment to conducting its business in accordance with the principles of good corporate governance and strictly complying with the Code of Conduct and anti-corruption practices, as it believes that the implementation of such practice guidelines will be a crucial tool for its continuous success, thereby creating value and benefits to all stakeholders. B.Grimm Power recognises the importance of anti-corruption practices by fostering and encouraging employees of the company and its subsidiaries to enhance their awareness and core values of honesty, integrity, transparency, clarity, accountability, and take no actions constituting all types of fraud and corruption both directly and indirectly. B.Grimm Power has declared an intention to join the Thailand Private Sector Collective Action Coalition against Corruption (CAC) and has put in place an anti-corruption policy and related policies, risk assessment and corruption risk management, review of internal control system, communication, trainings, awareness raising for executives and employees at all levels in a continuous manner as well as regular monitoring and reporting of fraud and corruption prevention practices. Moreover, B.Grimm Power has studied and applied the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)’s guidance on anti-corruption, environmental protection, labour standards and human rights to its operations in alignment with the organisational context as deemed appropriate.

• Establishing a whistleblowing and grievance policy and channels
• Grimm Power has established a whistleblowing and grievance policy along with whistleblowing and grievance channels, examination of wrongdoings and punishments, protection of rights of whistleblowers and concerned parties, report to relevant committees and determination of mechanism for monitoring and examining whistleblowing and grievances to ensure transparency, clarity and efficiency. The Whistleblowing unit, which is under the Corporate Sustainability Management Department, has duties to gather clues of wrongdoings, violations of the Code of Conduct, complaints/suggestions to be reported to the Corporate Governance Committee on a quarterly basis to consider and determine corrective measures for the prevention of wrongdoings and violations of rules, and other relevant regulations. B.Grimm Power encourages employees and stakeholders to take part in overseeing operations in accordance with relevant laws, rules, regulations and the Code of Conduct.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 205-1 Operations assessed for risks related to corruption

2) Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

3) Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

 

Disclosure 205-1 Operations assessed for risks related to corruption corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

• Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
• Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
• Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
• Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by B.Grimm Power, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to B.Grimm Power: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Parex identified a range of material issues, such as economic performance, community investment, health and safety, greenhouse gas emissions, human rights. Among these, promoting ethical business conduct stands out as a key material issue for Parex.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Parex engages with:

Stakeholder Group

Community

Contractors and suppliers

Authorities

Civil society

Employees

Customers

Partners

Investors

Shareholders

Media

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Parex engaged with its stakeholders through surveys and interviews of stakeholder groups’ representatives.

What actions were taken by Parex to promote ethical business conduct?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Parex reports that it took the following actions for promoting ethical business conduct:

• Implementing a Code of Conduct and Ethics
• In its Code of Conduct and Ethics Parex sets the values, general principles and corporate guidelines to ensure honest, upright and responsible behaviours by its employees and all of those who are part of its value chain. The Code of Conduct and Ethics addresses key issues such as conflict of interest, confidentiality, protection of personal information, entertainment, gifts and favours, bribery and anti-corruption, compliance with laws, norms and regulations.

• Applying a Complaint Policy
• Parex has a Complaint Policy (Whistleblower) to ensure the effective management of reports, complaints and concerns regarding compliance with the Code of Conduct and Ethics, internal controls, auditing and accounting of the company. This policy also manages the possible violation of the Disclosure Policy, Confidentiality, Privileged Information & Policy of the Blackout Period and Procedures, the Environment Policy, Health and Safety, the Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy, or any law or regulation of the jurisdiction where Parex Complaints can be made anonymously, if the reporter so prefers.

• Combating money laundering
• Parex has a System for the Self-Monitoring and Risk Management of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism and a Financing of the Propagation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Manual (ML/FT), which has been distributed to all employees. This manual conforms to international standards and complies with the regulations of the Superintendence of Companies in Colombia, where Parex develops 100% of its operations. In 2019, virtual training in ML/TF prevention was provided to 285 people, among which were direct and temporary employees of the different areas in Parex. During the year Parex used a compliance tool to perform queries on ML/TF lists. The number of user queries increased by 44% between 2018 and 2019 as new areas of monitoring were included and counterpart creation and update processes were increased. The results of the audits, auditor due diligence of third parties, as well as monitoring of PEP (Politically Exposed Persons) and cash operations, are presented quarterly to Parex’ Risk Committee.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 205-1 Operations assessed for risks related to corruption

2) Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

3) Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

 

Disclosure 205-1 Operations assessed for risks related to corruption corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

• Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
• Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
• Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
• Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Parex, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Parex: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Lockheed Martin identified a range of material issues, such as occupational health and safety, customer privacy, diversity and equal opportunity, customer health and safety. Among these, combating corruption stands out as a key material issue for Lockheed Martin.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Lockheed Martin engages with:

Stakeholder Group

Employees

Customers

Investors and analysts

Community leaders

Suppliers

Academic institutions

NGOs

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Lockheed Martin held six stakeholder workshops and conducted surveys with over 90 participants, including more than 60 employees and 30 external stakeholders.

What actions were taken by Lockheed Martin to combat corruption?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Lockheed Martin reports that it took the following actions for combating corruption:

• Empowering employees with anti-corruption awareness resources
• Lockheed Martin empowers its employees with anti-corruption awareness resources and the ability to report any questions or concerns for conduct that would violate Lockheed Martin’s anti-corruption policy. Some of these resources include:
  • Lockheed Martin’s Supplier Code of Conduct, which Lockheed Martin updated in 2019. The Code expresses Lockheed Martin’s ethical expectations of suppliers and is referenced in all purchase orders. Lockheed Martin expanded its expectations for pollution prevention, equal employment opportunity, and a drug-free workplace.
  • Gifts Decision Tree is an interactive guide for employees that covers giving and receiving gifts, hospitality, and other business courtesies.
  • CPS-730 is Lockheed Martin’s corporate policy statement on Compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws.
• In addition to these tools, employees can engage their local Ethics Officer, the Corporate Ethics Office, Human Resources, or Lockheed Martin’s Legal team for guidance, to ask questions, and to raise concerns without fear of retaliation. All Lockheed Martin employees are required to take regular Business Conduct Compliance Training (BCCT).

• Launching an enhanced third-party compliance tool
• Lockheed Martin’s Anti-Bribery and Corruption team has developed a new workflow tool to improve management of anticorruption due diligence on third parties, such as suppliers, teammates, and business ventures. This tool will allow Lockheed Martin to standardise due diligence across the business areas and reduce review time by its legal team. It will also allow Lockheed Martin to more efficiently document all the information that is considered when deciding whether to proceed with engaging a third party, given the likely degree of compliance with its anti-corruption requirements.

• Promoting automated corruption monitoring
• Lockheed Martin launched an improved tool for automated anti-corruption monitoring. The tool allows Lockheed Martin to analyse flagged transaction records from more data sources, improving both accuracy and efficiency. The result is more efficient use of human review time and analysis of flagged transactions, which in turn allows for rapid and focused attention on specific flagged transactions. The tool also enables Lockheed Martin to better identify the public officials and countries with which it most frequently engages, and which groups of employees might benefit from refresher training on gifts and business courtesy so that they are well-equipped to create plans for mitigating associated risks.

• Fostering knowledge sharing
• Individually and as a leader with industry groups, such as the Defense Industry Initiative on Business Ethics and Conduct, Lockheed Martin provides collaborative support and experience to assist others in strengthening their own ethics and compliance programmes. Lockheed Martin also regularly shares its ethics and compliance resources and best practices at public events, industry conferences, and other interactive venues.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 205-1 Operations assessed for risks related to corruption

2) Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

3) Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

 

Disclosure 205-1 Operations assessed for risks related to corruption corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

• Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
• Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
• Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
• Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Lockheed Martin, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Lockheed Martin: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2020 Corporate Social Responsibility Report KDHC identified a range of material issues, such as increasing the use of efficient energy, reducing work-related accidents and disasters, contributing to local job creation and increase in income, reducing energy consumption. Among these, promoting ethical business conduct stands out as a key material issue for KDHC.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups KDHC engages with:

To identify and prioritise material topics KDHC engaged with its stakeholders through the following channels:

Stakeholder Group	Method of engagement
•Employee •Labour Union	·      Labour-Management Workshop ·      Labour-Management Council ·      Internal Forum ·      Employee Workshop ·      Newsletter ·      In-house Broadcast ·      Innovation Talk
•Public/Shareholders/Investors •Government/Local Government/ National Assembly •Industry-Academy/Research Institutes	·      CES Research Association ·      Policy Debate Group ·      Government Working Group ·      General Meeting of Shareholder ·      IR/Public Disclosure ·      Innovation Network
•Power Plants •Suppliers •Subsidiaries	·      Supplier Seminar ·      SME Council ·      e-Contract System ·      Joint Project ·      Technology Exchange ·      Subsidiary Seminar
•Customers/Local Community •Korea Power Exchange	·      CS Management Committee ·      Homepage ·      Customer Satisfaction Survey ·      Local Council ·      Press Release ·      Public Service Design Group ·      Public Safety Inspection Group

What actions were taken by KDHC to promote ethical business conduct?

In its 2020 Corporate Social Responsibility Report KDHC reports that it took the following actions for promoting ethical business conduct:

• Promoting integrity
• KDHC introduced the Integrity Governance to each branch office under the direction of the Integrity Audit Office in 2013, in order to promote an integrity culture. In line with this commitment, KDHC mandated the operation of the Integrity Governance and implemented an “Integrity Certification System” to support engagement and various integrity practices in 2019. Integrity Governance is a council body organised to promote the culture and campaigns of distributing promotional materials related to the policies and prevent corrupt practices. It is mainly divided into Integrity Cluster and Integrity Friends. While the Integrity Cluster is led by collaboration between local governments and other public institutions, the Integrity Friends are implemented through collaboration among stakeholders, including customers and contract parties, to promote the culture of integrity. In the future, KDHC will continue to increase the engagement of external stakeholders and implement effective policies to spread the culture by reflecting feedback through the Anti-corruption Practice Group.

• Providing training
• KDHC continues to strengthen its training programmes on ethics and integrity in line with the nature of individual jobs and responsibilities, from executive officers to new employees. While carrying out training for executive officers to establish ethical leadership, employees working in the field with a high risk of corruptive practice such as budget, HR, finance, contracts, or those who are directly interacting with suppliers are subject to specialised training. KDHC also provided personalised ethics training programmes by life cycle for new employees and executives, deputy managers, and new assistant managers. The number of employees who participated in the training programme increased by 200% from 406 in 2018 to 815 in 2019.

• Promoting fair competition
• KDHC promotes fair competition by improving contract systems. By enhancing the method of determining the existing preliminary price base amount, KDHC prevented a low-price bid, and as of the end of December 2019, managed to increase the contract price by KRW 10.2 billion. KDHC also mandated the use of an electronic payment system when requesting and receiving payments from suppliers, and as a result, the direct payment to second-tier suppliers was improved, which led to securing cash flow of SMEs and stable operation. In addition, KDHC increased the points for CSR for suppliers, limited participation in bidding in case of violating the working conditions implementation plan, and created extra points for job creation as part of its efforts to promote fair competition. Meanwhile, KDHC proactively established a system based on fair contracts, such as improving unfair process conditions for heat transfer and pre-self-inspection on unfair contracts, in order to protect the rights of suppliers and create a win-win ecosystem.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 205-1 Operations assessed for risks related to corruption

2) Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

 

 Disclosure 205-1 Operations assessed for risks related to corruption corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

• Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
• Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
• Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
• Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by KDHC, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to KDHC: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report IPG identified a range of material issues, such as product design and innovation, employee retention, product safety, human rights and employment standards, data security. Among these, promoting ethical business conduct stands out as a key material issue for IPG.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups IPG engages with:

To identify and prioritise material topics IPG engaged with its stakeholders through the following channels:

Stakeholder Group	Method of engagement
Charitable organisations	·      Financial support ·      Employee volunteering ·      Donation of time and products
Communities	·      Open houses ·      Sponsorship of local events ·      Participation in local chambers of commerce
Consumers	·      Product labelling ·      Social media ·      Website contact form
Distribution or retail customers	·      Sales processes for product ·      Supply around the bundle and the market ·      Marketing support ·      Training support ·      End user trials/New product trials ·      Trade show booth presence ·      Customer appreciation events at trade shows ·      Social media
Employees	·      Newsletters ·      Quarterly videos ·      Variety of social media ·      Employee training ·      Town halls ·      Employee engagement activities ·      Surveys ·      Union interactions
Government and regulators	·      Regulatory filings ·      Public reporting ·      Product labelling
Industry organisations and other NGOs	·      Participation at trade shows and conferences ·      Membership and leadership positions ·      Participation at local, regional and national events
Shareholders and the IPG investor community	·      Annual Report and Annual Sustainability report ·      Annual shareholders meeting ·      Investor meetings ·      Road show events ·      Press releases
Vendors – other	·      Contracts ·      Routine business communication
Vendors – raw material suppliers	·      Monthly/Quarterly meetings ·      Annual business reviews ·      Routine business communication ·      Senior management meetings ·      Collaborative R&D training ·      Joint development ·      Negotiation

What actions were taken by IPG to promote ethical business conduct?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report IPG reports that it took the following actions for promoting ethical business conduct:

• Implementing a Code of Conduct
• IPG’s Code of Conduct provides an overview of its commitment to doing business the right way and sets out basic guiding principles that apply to all governance body members, workers, business partners and other stakeholders, regardless of location or nationality. IPG holds periodic information and training sessions for all directors, management personnel and employees to promote compliance with laws and regulations, as well as IPG’s policies and procedures. The Code of Conduct requires compliance with laws, regulations, and IPG’s policies and procedures. These policies and procedures include: Anti-bribery and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Policy, Insider Trading Policy, Whistleblower Policy, Diversity Statement and a No Harassment Policy. The Code of Conduct also addresses expectations of behavioural norms related to conflicts of interest, confidentiality and fair competition, discrimination and harassment, record-keeping, confidential information and protection, proper use of corporation assets and the responsibility of each employee for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. Human Resources Managers at each location provide all new employees with either a written or electronic version of the Code of Conduct. Where necessary, a translated version of the Code of Conduct is provided; the Code of Conduct is currently available in four languages. Salaried employees complete an online training module. The Senior Vice President of Human Resources is responsible for efforts to communicate and train all governance body members, workers, business partners and other stakeholders regarding the Code of Conduct. Employees are encouraged to talk to supervisors, managers, human resources, the legal department, or other appropriate personnel about observed illegal or unethical behavior, and when in doubt about the best course of action in a situation. It is the policy of IPG not to allow retaliation for reports of misconduct by others made in good faith by employees. IPG expects employees to cooperate in internal investigations of potential misconduct and maintains a Business Conduct and Ethics Hotline, while its Whistleblower Policy protects those who use it from retaliation for any good faith report.

• Fighting corruption
• Bribes, kickbacks and other illegal payments to or from any individual with whom IPG conducts business are strictly prohibited. All governance body members, workers, business partners and other stakeholders receive communication about anti-corruption via the Code of Conduct which includes basic information and encourages all to review the Anti-Bribery and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Policy. IPG has completed an assessment of all its operations and has a third party assessing vendor compliance, and reports significant risks and/or breaches to the Audit Committee.

• Combating anti-competitive behaviour
• IPG did not have any legal actions pending or completed during the reporting period related to anti-competitive behaviour and violations. Management and other employees throughout the company received training by an outside legal counsel to educate them on the laws concerning anti-competitive behaviour to ensure compliance with all anti-competitive laws and regulations. IPG’s Code of Conduct further emphasises the importance of compliance with these requirements. Furthermore, IPG has not identified any material non-compliance with laws or regulations in the social and economic areas.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 205-1 Operations assessed for risks related to corruption

2) Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

3) Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices

4) Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area

 

Disclosure 205-1 Operations assessed for risks related to corruption corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.3

Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.3

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

• Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
• Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
• Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
• Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by IPG, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to IPG: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Biesse Group identified a range of material issues, such as economic performance, employee health and safety, reliability, safety and constant innovation of products and services, customer relationship and customer satisfaction. Among these, promoting ethical business conduct stands out as a key material issue for Biesse Group.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Biesse Group engages with: 

Stakeholder Group	Method of engagement
Trade associations	·      Meetings ·      Focus groups ·      Round tables
Shareholders and investors	·      General meetings of shareholders ·      Channels of dialogue used by the Group’s Investor Relations Officer ·      Company visits
Customers	·      Events / ·      Direct customer assistance channels (Biesse Service and Biesse Parts) ·      Company and manufacturing site (showroom) visits ·      Invitations to institutional events ·      Participation at trade fairs and organisation of demonstration events
Financial community	·      Participation at events, conventions and conferences ·      Round tables
Employees and their families	·      Open day for employees and their families ·      Channels for the collection of reports of violations of Group regulations ·      Transparent corporate communication (Corporate intranet) ·      Round table discussions with unions
Suppliers and Trade partners	·      Specific meetings ·      Round tables
Sector-specific media and magazines	·      Interviews ·      Corporate presentations ·      Corporate events and trade fairs ·      Press conferences or workshops
Trade fair organisers	·      Participation at trade fairs ·      Interviews and contacts
PA, government entities and control bodies	·      Institutional round tables ·      Formal communications
Trade unions	·      Periodic meetings ·      Round tables
Locality, local communities and NGOs	·      Initiatives to engage with local communities ·      Dialogue with non-profit organisations for the payment of donations, contributions and sponsorships for sport and culture
Universities and research centres	·      Workgroups and workshops with university students ·      Corporate presentations ·      Career days at partner universities ·      Partnerships with key universities and schools in Italy and abroad

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Biesse Group engaged with its stakeholders through a survey.

What actions were taken by Biesse Group to promote ethical business conduct?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Biesse Group reports that it took the following actions for promoting ethical business conduct:

• Implementing a Code of Conduct
• All Biesse Group’s business activities are conducted in line with the Group’s Code of Conduct, in order to ensure full compliance with regulations in force at local, national and international level. The Code of Conduct is the official document that sets out the ethical and behavioural values, commitments and responsibilities to be complied with in the conduct of business affairs by Group companies. Moreover, it governs the body of rights, duties and responsibilities that Biesse expressly assumes in dealings with parties with which it interacts in the conduct of its business activities. The Code of Conduct, together with other documents relating to business ethics and integrity, are available on the Group’s website.

• Combating corruption
• In order to promote and strengthen its commitment to counter corruption, Biesse Group has adopted an Anti-bribery Code of Conduct, which sets out the rules of conduct that all employees and other workers must observe in the conduct of business to ensure compliance with anti-corruption regulations in force. The Code, which has been distributed to all Group companies, has made it mandatory to apply the relevant principles and rules of conduct for the purpose of the reasonable prevention of active and passive and direct or indirect corruption offences involving Italian or foreign private or public persons. Specifically, the document sets out the rules of conduct to be observed in connection with various activities, such as:
  • Dealings with the public administration
  • Facilitation payments
  • Loans to political parties
  • Donations
  • Sponsorships
  • Gifts, presents, hospitality and entertainment
  • Dealings with third parties
• As a sign of their commitment to the fight against corruption, in addition to the Code, the Group companies have specific procedures that set out the rules of conduct to safeguard against the risk of public sector corruption associated with state funding, hygiene and safety at work and taxation. Furthermore, as a safeguard against the risk of private bribery, these companies are subject to periodic audit cycles.

• Respecting human rights
• Biesse Group recognises the intrinsic value and rights of every person and is committed to guaranteeing the dignity and professional and personal development of its employees and other workers in the conduct of activities carried out in the name of or on behalf of the Group. For this reason, Biesse Group constantly seeks to ensure safe, fair and non-discriminatory workplaces, in compliance with the relevant national and international regulatory framework, and inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed by the United Nations and by the fundamental International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions. In particular, Biesse Group rejects all forms of forced, compulsory or child labour and is committed to not establishing relationships with suppliers that directly or indirectly exploit and use child labour.

• Adopting an Antitrust Code
• Biesse Group has adopted an Antitrust Code to ensure compliance with legislation concerning competition and market protection in the various countries in which it operates. The document is a follow-up to the Code of Conduct and develops, in particular, the section relating to competitive practices, as well as providing guidelines on conduct and omissions that comply with or violate antitrust legislation. Biesse Group firmly believes in lively competition in the various business sectors in which it operates and its aim is to compete in a legitimate, loyal and ethical manner in full compliance with competition protection rules. The rules set out in the document are designed to contribute to correct competitive market dynamics, in order to strengthen competition and the economic efficiency of a free market.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

2) Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices

3) Disclosure 412-1 Operations that have been subject to human rights reviews or impact assessments

 

Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.3

Disclosure 412-1 Operations that have been subject to human rights reviews or impact assessments does not correspond to any SDG.

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

• Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
• Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
• Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
• Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Biesse Group, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Biesse Group: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

What are the material issues the company has identified?  

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Petra identified a range of material issues, such as employee retention and development, environmental management, community development and engagement, climate change and energy usage. Among these, promoting ethical business conduct stands out as a key material issue for Petra.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Petra engages with:

To identify and prioritise material topics Petra engaged with its stakeholders through the following channels:

Stakeholder Group	Method of engagement
Employees, contractors and trade unions	·      Workplace meetings and internal committees ·      Employee briefs, publications, notice boards and electronic channels ·      Whistleblowing hotline ·      Engagement with mine forums and trade union representation ·      Employee engagement with the Board, including annual site visits to the operations by the CEO and Director sessions with employees
Customers	·      Continuous communication with client base ·      Open door policy and high level of business transparency ·      Full certification of products ·      Site visits to operations ·      Industry advocacy via the DPA
Shareholders and bondholders	·      Regular briefings via public announcements, webcasts, presentations and social media ·      Regular direct engagement via meetings, conferences and site visits ·      Annual and sustainability reporting ·      Dedicated investor relations department
Local communities	·      Public participation processes and meetings ·      Community newsletters and local media partnerships on socio-economic projects ·      Establishing positive relationships through ongoing engagement with community structures
Host Governments, regulators and NGOs	·      Continuous consultation ·      Scheduled meetings ·      Membership of Minerals Council South Africa ·      Regulatory site visits and audits ·      Active involvement as member of Government-initiated forums and other consultative structures
Suppliers	·      Supplier induction process ·      Supplier days and events ·      Local Enterprise Development centres ·      Continuous liaison ·      Open door policy ·      Engagement on Company policy and required standards of practice

What actions were taken by Petra to promote ethical business conduct?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Petra reports that it took the following actions for promoting ethical business conduct:

• Implementing a Code of Ethical Conduct
• Petra’s commitment to ethical behaviour is clearly set out in the Group’s Code of Ethical Conduct (“the Code”) and Petra expects all Directors, employees, contractors and suppliers to conduct themselves in accordance with this Code. Petra’s business ethics support the company’s corporate vision, mission and values and encourage and guide Petra to conduct its business professionally. The annual review of the Code was performed by the Board in November 2018. It was updated to incorporate references to the relevant provisions of the Criminal Finances Act 2017, and Petra’s general terms and conditions with suppliers, which now contain strengthened warranties regarding the avoidance of tax evasion, modern slavery, bribery and corruption, money laundering, child labour and advancement of human rights, including health and safety, and protection of the environment in accordance with United Nations Resolutions and corresponding national laws. Petra retains the right to disassociate itself from any entities that are in violation of these important principles. During FY 2019, a successful ethics roadshow was taken to all operations to re-emphasise ethical awareness and behaviour throughout the company, including in relation to matters such as bribery, fraud, diamond theft, supplier practices, conflicts of interest and market abuse.

• Combating bribery
• Bribery is strictly prohibited by Petra, and includes offering, giving, requesting or receiving a payment/ something of value (even of nominal value) to improperly influence a decision or encourage a party to perform its job improperly. No facilitation payments were made in FY 2019. Petra has a Group Anti-Bribery Policy which is made public on both the intranet and website, and which is implemented through a training and communication plan. All Petra employees, contractors and suppliers are informed as part of the induction procedure about this important corporate policy. During FY 2019, training on anti-bribery was conducted across the operations as part of the ethics roadshow. This was aimed at increasing awareness around bribery and encouraging the reporting of any instances of bribery or corruption. The Policy is reviewed on an annual basis by the Board and no updates were required in FY 2019. The Audit and Risk Committee receives a quarterly security intelligence report, detailing any investigations of bribery. This report provides details of incidents and actions taken (including fines and penalties). In FY 2019, appropriate action was taken for all investigated incidents. The current system is working well in terms of keeping the Board updated on this important aspect of governance.

• Implementing a whistleblowing procedure
• Petra has a whistleblowing procedure that provides all Petra employees, contractors and suppliers, as well as any member of the public, with the opportunity to independently and anonymously report conduct that is in contravention of the Code of Ethical Conduct or the Anti-Bribery Policy. In order to uphold its independence, this whistleblowing service is outsourced to a service provider. It is also provided in all local languages in the countries in which Petra operates as well as a number of international languages. Employees are briefed on whistleblowing, with hotline information being accessible on Petra’s website and intranet. All ‘tip-offs’ received, i.e. via telephone, fax, email, post or the website, will be directed to the service provider’s central facility for further investigation and feedback, where required. The identities of those reporting certain conduct as well as the contents of the tip-offs received are kept strictly confidential and protected according to applicable local and international laws. The service is monitored by the Audit & Risk Committee. In FY 2019, Petra received 27 reports involving alleged irregularities considered necessary to investigate. Of these reports, 20 were resolved and closed and seven remain under investigation.

• Respecting human rights
• Petra is fully committed to upholding the human rights of all of its stakeholders, as set out in the Group’s Human Rights Policy. The company therefore complies with and supports the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as all legislation pertaining to human rights in the countries where it operates. Petra similarly obtains warranties from its suppliers that they are not involved in any human rights abuses. Human rights are not considered to be a material risk to Petra’s business, given that its operations are located in stable, constitutional democracies and given the robust internal systems Petra has in place. Human rights issues are covered by internal operational policies and procedures, with the company’s Employment Equity Policy and its Disciplinary Code and procedures expressly forbidding any kind of discrimination. Should a human rights grievance occur, it is either managed through the operational grievance procedures or, where they are seen as substantive in nature, by the collective bargaining processes that are in place with recognised trade unions. In South Africa, human rights training (and in particular employee rights) is organised by Petra for union representatives through the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (“CCMA”), which in turn disseminates its knowledge to its members. Petra has aligned its principles with the International Labour Organization Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. This means Petra has zero tolerance for child labour, forced labour or discrimination, and that it respects the right of its workers to form unions. There is no risk of child labour or forced labour taking place at any of Petra’s operations, due to its rigorous recruitment and pre-employment vetting process. Petra does not consider there to be a risk of slavery or human trafficking with regard to its operations or supply chain either, due to its due diligence processes with regard to its supply chain management.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

2) Disclosure 408-1 Operations and suppliers at significant risk for incidents of child labor

3) Disclosure 409-1 Operations and suppliers at significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labor

 

Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

Disclosure 408-1 Operations and suppliers at significant risk for incidents of child labor corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Targets: 8.7
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.2

Disclosure 409-1 Operations and suppliers at significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labor corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Targets: 8.7

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

• Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
• Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
• Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
• Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Petra, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Petra: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Fortuna identified a range of material issues, such as financial performance and creation of economic value, occupational health and safety management, human and organisational development, environmental management. Among these, combatting corruption stands out as a key material issue for Fortuna.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly

Key stakeholder groups Fortuna engages with:

Stakeholder Group	Method of engagement
Employees	·      Meetings ·      Independent and group meetings ·      E-mail ·      Employment contract
Communities	·      Independent and group meetings ·      Guided visits ·      Radio ·      Social media networks
Shareholders and Investors	·      Reports ·      Various meetings (by telephone, ·      E-mail, board meetings)
Customers	·      E-mail ·      Telephone ·      Meetings
Contractors	·      Independent and group meetings ·      E-mail or telephone
Suppliers	·      E-mail, telephone ·      Independent and group meetings
Government	·      E-mail ·      Telephone ·      Meetings ·      Formal letters ·      Audits ·      Field inspections

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Fortuna engaged with its stakeholders through on-line surveys, focus groups and interviews.

What actions were taken by Fortuna to combat corruption?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Fortuna reports that it took the following actions for combatting corruption:

• Implementing a Code of Ethics
• Fortuna’s Code of Ethics sets out principals governing behaviour regarding 11 types of conduct, some of which are directly related to preventing acts of corruption, such as bribes, gifts, invitations and events involving a conflict of interest. All employees receive a copy of this code and are required to sign a certificate to acknowledge they have read it and will comply with the procedures and restrictions set out in the Code of Ethics. In 2019, Fortuna sought to strengthen knowledge of and compliance with the Code of Ethics by delivering a virtual course on its e-learning platform. Following completion of the course, employees were evaluated and received a certificate of compliance if they passed the test. The Code of Ethics also establishes how Fortuna’s reporting system functions. Under the system, any person who has knowledge of or is aware of a potential or suspected violation of the Code of Ethics is under an obligation to report it. Also, a whistle-blower system was designed to receive questions about ethical issues. Fortuna addresses breaches of the Code with strict confidentiality. The Code promotes the reporting of retaliation events against those who have submitted a complaint or who participate in an investigation through the above-mentioned channels. Fortuna does not tolerate any type of retaliation associated with complaints. The person responsible for overseeing the Code of Ethics is the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). When a complaint is submitted, the CCO notifies the Chair of the Audit Committee and begins a thorough investigation. The CCO leads the process and reports directly to the Audit Committee. If needed, the CCO and the committee may request external legal advice. The CCO reports the cases to Fortuna’s Board through the Audit Committee. Fortuna also developed its Supplier Code of Ethics in 2019, to guide the ethical behaviour of its suppliers and other parties with whom it maintains business relationships. Like the Code of Ethics, this document describes certain behaviours associated with corruption, conflict of interest, gifts, etc. which are not acceptable in Fortuna. Fortuna provides a copy of this Code to all suppliers and requests that they sign an acknowledgement that they have read it and will comply with the provisions of the Code. The complaints associated with events of non-compliance with this Code follow the same procedure as the complaints in the Code of Ethics.

• Applying an Anti-corruption Policy
• Fortuna’s Anti-corruption Policy prohibits bribery, corruption, facilitation payments, gifts, and the payment of political contributions. The Policy provides limited situations in which expenses of government officials may be paid and places a dollar value limit on certain food and entertainment expenses. It also defines bribery and corruption, provides examples of what this may look like and defines government officials. This Policy also seeks to prevent employees and their family members from giving or receiving any gift, gratuity or invitation that could be perceived as an unjustified influence on a business relationship. Fortuna communicates this Policy by providing a copy to all new employees and all partners, agents, consultants, and other contractual parties who interact with government officials on the company’s behalf and conducts training on the Anti-corruption Policy for all employees in managerial and supervisory positions. Employees are requested to sign a certificate of compliance with this policy annually. This certificate serves to verify that they have not violated any of the terms and conditions of the policy and are unaware of any violation or potential violation of the policy. The person responsible for overseeing the Anti-corruption Policy is the CCO. Employees who become aware of a violation of the Policy must report the matter to their immediate supervisor/ manager or the CCO as soon as possible. If an employee reports the matter to their immediate supervisor/ manager, that supervisor/manager must immediately communicate the information to the CCO through the whistle-blower website. Where an employee does not want to report suspicious activity to their immediate supervisor/manager or directly to the CCO, then a report can be made anonymously through the whistle-blower website. The Policy provides that the CCO shall report all violations or potential violations of the Policy or applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws to the Audit Committee, and the Audit Committee in consultation with the CCO shall determine the most appropriate method to investigate the substance of the complaints and ensure that there is appropriate monitoring of progress until the matter has been satisfactorily resolved. As needed, the CCO and the Audit committee may request external advice. When a complaint is submitted, the CCO notifies the Chair of the Audit Committee and begins a thorough investigation. The CCO reports the cases to Fortuna’s Board through the Audit Committee and, each year, the CCO requests each compliance officer of the subsidiaries in addition to the managers and chief financial officers to answer a series of questions seeking to verify that there have been no breaches of the Anti-corruption Policy. In addition, in connection with the annual preparation of audited financial statements, Fortuna is subjected to external audits by internationally recognised accounting firms such as KPMG and PwC on an annual basis, to verify compliance with the applicable sections of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). These audits check that the channel to file complaints is active and functioning properly.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

2) Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

 

Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Targets: 16.5

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

• Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
• Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
• Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
• Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
 

References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Fortuna, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Fortuna: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.