With operations in 64 countries, Saint-Gobain creates and delivers innovative and high-performance solutions to enhance our habitat (homes, offices and other buildings) and our daily life. As a worldwide leader in all our businesses, we have the ambition to be the reference in sustainable habitat and construction markets.
Saint-Gobain’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is based on values forged by nearly 350 years of history.
Nine binding Principles of Conduct and Action guide employees in their daily work. Adherence to these Principles is a requirement for belonging to the Group.
Saint-Gobain interacts with a very large number of stakeholders. At both the corporate and local levels, its teams listen carefully and organize constructive dialogue in application of the subsidiarity principle.
The Group’s International Commitments
By joining the United Nations Global Compact in 2003, Saint-Gobain confirmed its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility in line with its Principles of Conduct and Action. In January 2009, the Group took its commitment to the UN Global Compact one step further by endorsing the Caring for Climate statement and the CEO Water Mandate for Water Resource Protection as part of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. On December 10, 2008 – the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – the Group signed the declaration of management support for human rights, an initiative organized by the United Nations.
Saint-Gobain Group Initiatives
Saint-Gobain’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is stated in it’s policy with five key areas.
No.1 Invent sustainable buildings
Saint-Gobain offers solutions for sustainable buildings in all its host countries. The Group adapts its responses by taking into account the different needs and diverse markets in both mature and fast-growing countries for renovation and newbuilding, and for commercial and residential buildings. The Group is committed to making sustainable buildings the norm rather than the exception.
No.2 Limit environmental impacts
Saint-Gobain teams are focused on achieving the only acceptable objective, which is zero environmental accidents and a minimum impact on the environment from its activities. Achieving this objective means making sites more energy efficient, preserving natural resources (notably water) throughout the production process, reducing atmospheric emissions and recycling waste.
Environmental Initiatives
No.3 Encourage employees’ professional growth
The Group pays close attention to preserving employees’ health and safety. Saint-Gobain’s ambition with regard to human resources, as formulated in the OPEN program, is to support the Group’s corporate project to give meaning to everyone’s actions while ensuring well-being and performance in the workplace.
Safety Initiatives
No.4 Support community development
Saint-Gobain is a multiregional organization serving local markets. Its investments contribute to job creation and to local economic development. The Group also deploys initiatives to promote the social and economic development of its job catchment areas, as well as community outreach programs.
No.5 Take action across the value chain
Saint-Gobain’s size and worldwide scope give it a special responsibility in raising partners’ awareness of the challenges of sustainable development and in promoting exemplary practices. Initiatives are carried out internally, as well as externally, among customers, partners, suppliers and the general public. The Group is also a member of professional associations involved in sustainable construction.
CSR Report
Information on corporate social responsibility (CSR) measures undertaken by the Saint-Gobain Group can also be viewed in the CSR report on the global Saint-Gobain website.
Domestic Initiatives in Japan
Japanese “Women In Network”
The Saint-Gobain Japanese Women In Network was launched in July, 2013 to help promote gender balance through training and tutoring actions. Other similar networks are set up in the Group, like the Women’s Network in North America, created back in 2003, and WIN (Women In Network), launched in France in 2012.
Support for Victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake
On April 6, 2011, we donated JPY 100 million to Children without Borders, an NPO that provides support for the children who face particularly severe difficulties following the earthquakes and tsunamis of the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster. We at the Saint-Gobain Group hope that this disaster-relief donation will serve as a symbol of unity between our organization and the victims of this terrible disaster as well as citizens of Japan nationwide.
By providing support for the children who will be responsible for Japan's future, the Saint-Gobain Group hopes to overcome this disaster and subsequent period of rebuilding and recovery together with those affected and strive toward the sustainable development and growth of Japan.
Related information
Saint-Gobain Initiatives Foundation
Environmental Initiatives
Research and Development
Safety Initiatives