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Sustainability

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Milestones

ABB embarked on its sustainability journey in the early 1990s. Our internal and external work has focused on raising health, safety and security standards and performance, improving the company's awareness, performance and reporting on environmental, social and human rights issues, and supporting a number of international programs and initiatives.


2012
	ABB reduced its energy use by about three percent, slightly more than was targeted. The Supplier Sustainability Development Program moved ahead with 121 audits and training of more than 1,000 suppliers and 1,250 employees, focusing on China, India, Mexico and Brazil. A wide variety of training sessions on health and safety, security and human rights were held in different parts of the world, including nearly 40 security training courses for country managements. A six-year support agreement was renewed with the International Committee of the Red Cross.


2011
	ABB developed a new sustainability strategy after the largest ever stakeholder consultation process. It includes the establishment of a sustainability governance board. The annual target to reduce energy consumption by 2.5 percent was met. The year was marked by further improvement in health and safety performance, and ongoing global training on security, health and safety and human rights. ABB won a total of 19 awards worldwide for environmental and social performance.


2010
	Largest-ever sustainability stakeholder survey undertaken with more than 500 people and organizations interviewed about current performance and future drivers. Processes put in place for regular consultations with divisions and mergers and acquisitions teams to review potential sustainability risks at an early stage. Global human rights training program for business and function managers rolled out. Further integration of health and safety initiatives in businesses, with programs run in Substations and Transformers business units. 16 awards won around the world.

2009
	ABB launched a series of sustainability objectives covering the next two years, designed to strengthen the company’s environmental, health and safety, social, human rights and security performance; further specialized training in health and safety was rolled out for the substations and the transformer businesses; and ABB received awards in 14 countries in 2009 for its sustainability achievements, including one in Germany for the company's health management system, Fit for Life.

2008
	Two-year program to reduce energy use by five percent per manufactured unit is renewed in 2008; energy audits lead to improvement projects for 23 sites accounting for 45 percent of ABB's energy consumption. ABB's business decision-making processes are reinforced with additional health and safety, social, security and human rights criteria.

2007
	ABB adopts a human rights policy and statement with roll-out scheduled for 2008. Group meets target to cut electricity use by five per cent per manufactured unit over years, and energy-efficiency measures continue. New foundation set up to support underprivileged engineering students in several countries.

2006
	Program underway to reduce energy use by five percent per manufactufred unit throughout Group. New Code of Conduct rolled out in 45 languages. Further health and safety training, focusing on work sites and road safety. Sustainability awards received in 17 countries.

2005
	ABB launches new targets for phasing out hazardous materials. ABB joins corporate support group of International Committee of Red Cross. Corporate-level stakeholder dialogue held on ways of compensating for ABB’s greenhouse gas emissions.

2004
	Health and safety training for top managers begins worldwide. Group-wide conference addresses diversity issues. ABB starts investigation to become a CO2-neutral company in the medium-term. Implementation of new environmental policy continues worldwide.

2003
	ABB to implement health and safety systems based on OHSAS 18001 by end 2004. First “Access to Electricity” projects in Tanzania. With other companies, ABB launches Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights. New environmental policy launched.

2002
	Sustainability business plans implemented in 50 countries. ABB launches “Access to Electricity” initiative at World Summit in Johannesburg. Environmental program expanded to include employees in non-manufacturing facilities.

2001
	Dow Jones Sustainability Index rates ABB top of its group for the third year. ABB produces first “triple bottom line” sustainability report, inspired by the Global Reporting Initiative. ISO 14001 implemented in 98 percent of sites.

2000
	ABB launches social policy and publishes first sustainability report including both environmental and social performance. ABB participates in launch of the United Nations Global Compact. ISO 14001 is implemented in 539 sites.

1999
	ABB produces first environmental product declarations (EPDs). ABB’s CEO initiates World Energy Council’s greenhouse gas reduction program. ISO 14001 is implemented in an ABB Black Economic Empowerment company.

1998
	ISO 14001 is implemented in 449 sites. ABB’s CEO serves on World Commission on Dams, which produced guidelines for hydroelectric power projects. Summaries of ABB’s environmental report published in 23 languages.

1997
	123 sites gain certification to ISO 14001. ABB publishes second generation of environmental objectives and launches second-generation life cycle assessment software tool and database.

1996
	ISO 14001 is introduced. A total of 50 sites gain certification, including first site in China and first construction site.

1995
	ABB publishes its environmental objectives and launches design tool for life cycle assessment of products. Fifteen sites certified to BS 7750 or EMAS environmental standards.

1994
	Implementation of environmental management systems is set as group-wide objective, involving 43 countries. ABB publishes its first environmental report.

1993
	Network of environmental controllers appointed for countries and factories. Thirty-eight countries participate in start-up of ABB’s environmental management program. First reporting procedures introduced.

1992
	ABB signs International Chamber of Commerce Business Charter for Sustainable Development, establishes its environmental affairs organization and sets up an environmental advisory board.

Last edited 2013-03-26