Approach to environmental management
Goals and performance
In The Umicore Way, Umicore subscribes to a set of principles to continually improve its environmental performance. Within the context of our role as a materials technology company active in the specialty chemicals sector, we have defined three environment-related objectives as part of our Vision 2015 strategy: reducing our carbon footprint, reducing the impact of our metals emissions and improving our understanding of the life cycles and impacts of our products. These objectives represent what we believe to be the most material environmental aspects of our business and the ones that are of the most importance to our various stakeholders.
Click here to see the objectives
While the Group environmental objectives constitute a special focus for the period to 2015, we believe it is equally important to continuously monitor, control and report the performance of our organization in relation to other environmental aspects. We do that via the same measurement tools as indicated in our general management approach. These indicators can be found in the Environmental Statements part of our Annual Report. These are related to:
- Energy and water consumption
- Waste volumes
- Resource efficiency
- Control and remediation of historical pollution
- Regulatory compliance and management systems
- REACH implementation
- Biodiversity
Policy
Our approach to environmental management derives in the first instance from our vision, values and organizational principles found in The Umicore Way. An internal Group EHS Guidance Note provides detailed guidance for all entities regarding the approach to measuring and reporting on each of the relevant environmental aspects. An specific internal policy relating to Energy Efficiency and Carbon Footprint has been developed to frame the company’s approach to reducing its carbon emissions. In addition, Umicore supports at all times developments on the theme of recycling.
Who is responsible?
Accountability for the environmental performance and impact of Umicore lies with the Executive Committee. In the Executive Committee the Chief Technology Officer has oversight responsibilities for environmental aspects at Group level and is supported by the Senior Vice President Environment, Health & Safety. The Executive Vice Presidents are responsible for the overall environmental performance of his/her segment. At business unit level the head of the business unit is responsible for the overall environmental performance. The general manager of each site has a similar responsibility at site level.