Below we give a short list of the main objectives of each of the priorities plus, in each case, details of the results achieved.

Eco-efficiency and climate change

A commitment to the environment, to reducing environmental impact and to developing the ability to create more and better sustainable products.

Launch of the project ‘SOS CO2 Action”, covering remedial measures adopted at both the office and plant level. By the end 2008, we have reduced 6,7% of our total emissions. This data was calculated related of baseline year, all the activities included. At the same 2008, we have situated the energy consumption 14,96% below the average data for 2007.

Implementing the indicator tool SOSMA. In 2007 the tool was implemented in the Spanish facilities at Alcolea and Villarejo. Since 2008 the plants at Reinosa, Jaén, Algemesí and Dos Hermanas now have full access to and readings from the system. Also in 2008 the system was installed in two of the three production centres in Italy, though full installation there is still pending.

Attracting and retaining talent

Instituting an organisation capable of attracting the best workers in the sector by means of a culture based on individual development and a two-way commitment between the employee and the organisation.

Reducing accidents involving time off and the resulting knock-on costs. In Spain accidents involving time off have fallen 41%, the lowest level since 2002, which have represented 33% reduction in directs costs associated.

Launch of an internal communications channel. This communication channel, known as Canal SOStainable, allows the Group to actively disseminate important developments and encourage the participation of staff in contributing to and organising corporate projects.

Reductions in the rate of staff churn in Spain. In 2008 the level of unsought staff replacement – staff churn – was 4.35%, a noticeable improvement on the previous year.

The organisation continues to work for integrating people with disabled and is intent on achieving its target of giving at least 2% of jobs to people in this situation. In the last years we have obtained an advance from 0,95% in 2006 to 1,24% in 2008.

To positively increase co-responsibility in the workplace in 2008 training workshops were established at the majority of the production plants. To date about 100 people took part in this, the first, year of the programme.

Managing reputational risk

Facing up to the social and environmental problems of our time.

A commitment to responsible marketing and advertising. Grupo SOS is a member of Autocontrol, the Association for Self-Regulation of Commercial Communication, a watchdog organisation designed to ensure that consumers are not subjected to unethical advertising or advertising conducive to error. It campaigns in Spain for a system of self-regulation. As member of the association, Grupo SOS undertakes to comply with the association’s code of conduct in all its commercial information. This code of conduct is based on the Code of Advertising Practice of the International Chamber of Commerce. In the certificate issued by the association it specifies that Grupo SOS has at no time been penalised for failure to comply with the decisions of the advertising jury of Autocontrol.

Developing a model oriented towards responsible supply chain. This programme has three phases: Initial risk assessment, applying a system of self-assessment, plotting a risk map, drawing up an action plan to ensure responsible replies in critical areas. In 2008, with the help of an external consultant, an initial study was conducted on the self-assessment system.