Objectives and ambitions

Pending the completion of the review of our CSR objectives, this report accounts for our activities and performance on the basis of the existing ambitions.

Development of CSR indicators
CSR ambitions per theme for 2006

The Sustainability Report for 2005 contained no clear CSR objectives and ambitions for 2006. In the Sustainability Report 2005 we announced that these would be formulated in 2006 in combination with the planned review of the Nuon vision.

In mid-2006 the Corporate Social Responsibility Department held a survey as well as several workshops at the divisions to establish what should be the central CSR themes for our long-term sustainability policy. Access to energy and climate change topped the list, followed by application of innovations, competitiveness and scarcity of fuels. Together with the divisions we then explored what impact these themes have on the development of their vision.

The possible unbundling and the preparations for the proposed merger with Essent in 2007 have delayed the review of our CSR ambitions. For this reason, we have not been able to complete the updating of the CSR objectives and ambitions. However, the exploration of the social themes has laid a basis for the development of performance indicators for the Nuon Group and its divisions. This process was still in full swing in the beginning 2007.

Development of CSR indicators

In the preparations for the new business planning cycle (2007 – 2011) sustainability – alongside financial performance and customer satisfaction – was used as a yardstick for the progress of our policy. CSR and the business divisions jointly developed indicators for measuring and tracking sustainability results in the core processes:

  • Reduction of CO2 emissions measured according to e.g. the effects of energy-saving products and limitation of grid losses;
  • Safety measured according to absenteeism resulting from safety incidents;
  • Environmental management, measured according to the degree to which the organisation is compliant with ISO14001 and limitation of the number of environmental incidents.

Early in 2007 these indicators were translated into performance indicators and objectives for the divisions. Next the divisions themselves will decide on the strategic measures required to achieve the objectives. In consultation with the Supervisory Board, a sustainability index was also developed as part of the reward criteria for the management and employees.

Regarding a number of indicators, we will first gain experience with the measurement and interpretation of the results so that a well-considered choice of performance measures can be made at the end of 2007. These are:

  • Chain management, measured according to the percentage of suppliers who meet the CSR purchasing criteria that are still to be developed;
  • Efficiency of materials use, measured according to the limitation of non-reusable waste materials.

CSR ambitions per theme for 2006

This report accounts for our activities and performance on the basis of existing ambitions. Some of the objectives are competition-sensitive and have therefore not been quantified.