based
safety approach across all our sites to ensure the health and well-being of all
our associates. NONSMOKING INITIATIVE
Smoking is one of the most important risk factors to the health of individuals
and society. From January 1, 2006, the Novartis Headquarters site in Basel, Switzerland
became the latest Novartis location worldwide to adopt a nonsmoking initiative
inside all buildings as well as within site boundaries. Visitors to the Basel
site and staff of partner companies operating at Novartis are also expected to
observe the nonsmoking initiative. Novartis is committed to promoting healthy
societies and providing leadership through a positive example in health-related
issues. Associates who wish to stop smoking are being offered voluntary, free
counseling and medication as part of the new nonsmoking initiative at the Basel
site.
HEALTH PROMOTION
The health promotion program “One HealthLink” of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
in East Hanover, New Jersey (US) has been awarded a silver medal by the US National
Business Group on Health. Based on the two pillars of physical activity and healthy
nutrition, a wide range of activities are offered to associates such as nutrition
education, low-cost healthy meals, nutrition counseling, fitness centers and on-campus
walking trails. In essence, the role of the health and medical center has evolved
from primarily one of treating injury and illness on the job, to becoming a partner
with the business in providing people with information and resources to live healthier,
more productive lives. |
| TARGETS
Novartis sets HSE targets covering periods of at least
three years to allow better analysis, planning and implementation of programs.
The current targets apply for the period through 2008. However HSE targets are
reviewed annually with each Division and Business Unit. Divisions and Business
Units are also involved in target setting based on recommendations by functional
experts. HSE performance data, as needed for management
purposes as well as external reporting in line with international guidelines such
as Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), are collected, validated and consolidated
with the Novartis HSE Data Management System. Systems and processes are reviewed
by third parties – in addition to Corporate and Divisional HSE audits – to ensure
compliance with legal and Novartis HSE standards. Such processes support local
sites in increasing the completeness and accuracy of their performance data.
For 2006, new global targets have been defined in the areas of CO2 emissions,
water efficiency, waste management and volatile-organic-compound (VOC) emissions.
The targets exclude effects of the ongoing integration of Hexal and Eon Labs which
were acquired in 2005. These businesses will be fully integrated into Group targets
over the next two years. These new HSE targets include
our Kyoto commitment to reduce global direct CO2 emissions by the period 2008
to 2012, and a 6% water efficiency improvement (excluding non-contact water for
cooling) over the next three years. Furthermore, hazardous waste to landfills
will be reduced from currently 890 tons to less than 100 tons by 2008. VOC emissions
will |
| be
reduced by 90%, from 285 tons to 30 tons (halogenated) and by 35%, from 1 061
tons to 700 tons (nonhalogenated), by 2008. HSE REPORTING
PRINCIPLES Global Reporting Initiative
Since 2004, Novartis has reported its HSE performance following the 2002 Guidelines
for Sustainability Reporting of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The GRI
is a multi-stakeholder initiative, launched in 1997, with the aim of establishing
globally applicable guidelines for reporting sustainability performance. The Novartis
GRI Report Index – along with a more detailed overview of our HSE performance
– is available at: www.novartis.com/gri
Reporting
Entity HSE performance data for 2005 was collected
from 179 sites around the world, owned and managed by Novartis. That coverage
includes all sites with relevant HSE impacts, including all production, formulation,
research and development sites, as well as major headquarter offices.
The number of locations reporting increased last year. The 24 locations reporting
for the first time were from Hexal and Eon Labs, plus five locations from the
Novartis Consumer Health Division.
Reporting
Scope Performance indicators were adapted to
the GRI requirements for core environmental and social indicators. We believe
the performance data reported in this Annual Report and on the adjacent Novartis
website represent a fair and balanced picture of the Novartis HSE performance. |
|
