Overview

Companies' legal obligations towards the environment and their employees are part of their responsibility and they have to regulate the wider impact of their activities.

• Environment - Companies have a key role to play in curbing pollution and climate change by minimising their greenhouse gas emissions, managing waste efficiently and using natural resources responsibly. Going green may seem costly in the short term, but in the longer term it can be good for business, enhancing competitiveness, promoting innovation and generating new markets.
• Employees - Businesses have obligations regarding labour law and work organisation. They are legally required to prevent discrimination at work, ensure that all employees - men and women, local and foreign employees - are treated equally and guarantee the safety and health of workers in every aspect related to the work. Improving lifelong learning and social dialogue also help build a better workplace.
• Voluntary action - All business must meet the minimum rules required by law, but forward-thinking companies can develop environmental and social strategies that go beyond the minimum requirements. This approach contributes to enhancing competitiveness, as well as the sustainability of business operations, and helps to achieve economic success over the long term.

• Keeping to environmental rules
• Keeping to social rules
• Taking sustainability further