Firmly rooted practical tool

Objective:
  • have access to innovative, high-performance tools to manage sustainable development.
Priority for 2009:
  • implement new tools (web and in-class training, self-appraisal tools for business lines) within the different Group divisions and entities.
Highlights in 2008:
  • more than 1,400 members of staff in 67 countries took part in the different data collection campaigns organised in 2008.
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 individual priorities of the Group's different businesses. Planethic© Reporting manages 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 insight into its non-financial data. A list of the main indicators published by the Group is available in the analysts' area.
The campaigns for the collection of data (corporate, sponsorship, environmental and business line data) in 2008 involved more than 1,400 members of staff from various Group entities and covered a wider scope (99% of the Group in 67 countries). Moreover, the accuracy of the data reported is improving year after year.
CSR-specific training tools
Société Générale Group developed two training modules in 2008 for staff and, more specifically, the managers of and contributors to sustainable development.
The programs deal with the concept of sustainable development and the "implications" of CSR for companies and the finance sector writ-large.
To ensure its appropriation by staff, the Group's CSR policy is also covered in the training.
These modules were included in the catalogue of training during the first quarter of 2009. Training is given in French and has already been adapted into English for training outside of France.
CSR self-appraisal tool for business lines
In order to give better structure, depth and consistency to Société Générale's CSR policy throughout the Group, the Executive Committee asked the Sustainable Development Department (on January 22, 2007) to "develop and implement within all Group entities, subsidiaries and structures, a procedural method for them 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 international CSR standards (GRI, SD 21000, etc.), the ‘Responsibility Performance Survey’ tool was created. The aim of the tool is to:
  • define a methodological framework and common language in order to be able to adapt to any changes in the CSR policies of entities;
  • provide a synthetic overview of the responsible practices implemented by entities through the identification of risks and opportunities and the implementation of action plans;
  • regularly assess and recognise the progress made;
  • identify and share best practices when it comes to CSR.
A prototype was tested at the start of 2009 by a volunteer entity and is scheduled to be rolled out Group-wide in 2010.
NOTES
  1. Global Reporting Initiative
  2. European Foundation for Quality Management