Practical tools that ensure Sustainable Development is firmly rooted within Société Générale's Group culture

Objective :
  • Have access to innovative, high-performance tools to manage sustainable development.
Priority :
  • Implement new tools (web and in-class training, self-appraisal tools for business lines) within the different Group divisions and entities.
Highlights in 2009 :
  • More than 1,000 members of staff in 62 countries took part in the different data collection campaigns.
Reporting and managing sustainable development data group wide
Since 2005, Société Générale has its own tool for reporting and managing sustainable development data called Planethic© Reporting which regroups around one hundred CSR indicators defined in accordance with France's NRE law, the recommendations of the GRI1 and the specific priorities of the Group's different businesses. Planethic© Reporting is used for the collection and consolidation of data which it regroups into four core domains, notably:
  • Environmental indicators: proprietary data,
  • Social indicators: data linked to social relations and employees,
  • Business indicators: data specific to the sustainable development issues of the Group's different business lines,
  • Sponsorship and charity indicators.
Monitoring these indicators that are calculated on the basis of core data not only enables the Group to improve its CSR strategy and procedures, but also provides it with a more in-depth understanding of its non-financial data. A list of the main indicators published by the Group is available in the analysts' space.
The campaigns for the collection of data (corporate, sponsorship, environmental and business line data) in 2009 involved more than 1,000 members of staff from various Group entities over a broader scope (62 countries). Moreover, the accuracy of the data reported continues to improve year after year.
CSR-specific training tools
Société Générale Group developed two staff training modules in 2008, which mostly target the managers of and contributors to sustainable development. Included in the Group's catalogue of programs in 2009, training is given in French and has already been adapted into English for use outside France. The modules deal with the concept of sustainable development and the "implications" of CSR for companies and the finance sector writ-large.
To encourage staff to take part, the Group's CSR policy is covered in the training too.
The Sustainable Development Department also contributed to the "ethics, values and CSR" program which is part of the management training for future branch managers.
CSR self-appraisal tool: Responsibility Performance Survey (RPS)
At the request of the Executive Committee, and in order to give better structure, depth and consistency to the Group's CSR policy, Société Générale's Sustainable Development Department has developed and implemented a self-appraisal tool for all of the bank's different entities and establishments called the Responsibility Performance Survey. The survey provides a framework which entities can use to analyse their CSR responsibilities and priorities and define a subsequent plan of action.
Inspired by existing internal structures (self-appraisal of risks and controls, HR Progress Card, etc.), standard evaluation methodologies (EFQM2, non-financial ratings agencies, etc.) and global CSR standards (GRI, SD 21000, etc.), the aim of the tool is to:
  • Define amethodological framework and common language to assist entities with their CSR policy and procedures,
  • Provide a synthetic overview of the responsible practices implemented by entities through the identification of risks and opportunities and the definition of action plans,
  • Regularly assess and recognise the progress made,
  • Identify and share best practices when it comes to CSR. whitespacer
A prototype (in French, English and Portuguese) was successfully tested by several volunteer entities in France and Brazil in 2009, with around one hundred managers taking part in the working groups during phase one of the process (self-appraisal). This will then be followed by the definition of an action plan involving all of the 3,500 members of staff within these entities. The survey is scheduled to be rolled out group wide in 2010.
Responsible paper user guide
The aim of Société Générale's responsible paper guide is to provide staff looking to reduce their paper consumption with the answers to questions they may have regarding legal and regulatory issues, sustainable development criteria, technical resources and solutions, best practices and feedback.
Guide to Best Practices in Paper
Published as part of Société Générale's "Let's consume less, Let's Consume better" project,this guide outlines the Group's policy on responsible paper and provides a whole series of tips in editing, printing and publishing documents. Theme-based tip sheets are readily available to heighten awareness amongst staff.
"Responsible Buildings Reference Framework"
Aimed at Société Générale's building and maintenance managers, this reference framework is designed to improve the energy and environmental performance of the Group's real estate property. Inspired by the United Nations' report on green building certification in December 2008, it is specifically intended to factor in the inherent needs of the Group's businesses and the diversity of its entities around the world, and covers the different phases in a real estate project (design, construction, renovation and use).
NOTES
  1. Global Reporting Initiative
  2. European Foundation for Quality Management