OREANDA-NEWS. SCM Group has adopted a Sustainability Policy that replaces its CSR Policy observed since 2006. The document outlines the common principles, unified approaches and strategic priorities of SCM Group in the area of sustainable development. The Policy is another step that the Group is taking to create both shareholder and social values.

SCM has been one of the first Ukrainian businesses to incorporate principles of corporate social responsibility into its operations. Back in 2006 the company joined the United Nations Global Compact and outlined its approaches in the area. SCM Group has been also one of the first in Ukraine to set strategic goals in sustainable development.

By preparing and adopting a new SCM Group Sustainability Policy, the business of Rinat Akhmetov takes another step to increase its contribution to the social and economic development of the nation.

“Corporate social responsibility has been and will remain embedded into our business strategy. Back in 2006, we set out our initial principles and approaches that all of our companies approved and have followed thus far. Today we are facing a bigger challenge - to move from CSR to the principles of sustainable development of both SCM Group as Ukraine's biggest private business and the entire Ukrainian society. That in turn demands new approaches and actions. For this reason, we reviewed the approach we have been upholding since 2006 and developed the SCM Group Sustainability Policy to serve as the foundation for the sustainable growth of all the assets within SCM Group,” said SCM's CEO Oleg Popov.

SCM Group chose eight areas of sustainable development outlined in the Policy:

1. Health and safety of employees

2. Staff welfare and development

3. Local community development

4. Protecting environment and raising energy efficiency

5. Stakeholder engagement

6. Corporate volunteering

7. Quality of products and services

8. Business ethics and corporate governance

Oleg Popov believes that “the sustainable development of our companies will contribute to the continuous development of Ukraine and help to make its economy stronger. It will raise the living standards of our employees and their families, the residents of cities where our companies operate, and all Ukrainians.”

To read the Policy (Russian language), please visit section Document Library on our website.

SCM Group sustainability performance in 2011-2013:

The Group invested more than UAH 23.5 billion in programmes focused on staff development, health and safety, environment, energy efficiency and living standards in its local communities, particularly:

• Social investment in the development of local communities - over UAH 534 million

• Investment in staff training and development - UAH 360 million

• Investment in health and safety of employees - UAH 4.5 billion

• Investment in environment and energy efficiency - over UAH 18.2 billion.