Stakeholders advise and comment on Océ sustainability policy
Together with the VBDO (the Dutch association of investors for sustainable development) Océ organized a stakeholder dialogue. The event took place on 4 November at Océ Headquarters in Venlo. Various stakeholders were invited to discuss Océ’s sustainability policy and the annual Océ Sustainability Report; shareholders, suppliers, NGOs, customers and employees were all represented.
Before the event stakeholders were asked to fill in a short survey containing questions on Océ’s sustainability policy. The results of this survey were used as a starting point for the stakeholder dialogue.
The meeting kicked of with a presentation on Océ’s sustainability policy by CEO Rokus van Iperen. This policy is based on five focal points:
Minimize incorrect and unnecessary prints
Minimize energy consumption per print
Maximize reuse of materials and minimize non-reusable waste
Minimize emissions of ozone, dust, toner and noise
Establish Océ as the employer of choice
Stakeholders agreed that these focal points are relevant to the business in which Océ operates. However, there are still some opportunities for improvement, such as the definition of measurable targets. With regard to the annual Sustainability Report the representatives advised that an executive summary should be integrated and that the report should be rather more specific and focused. One stakeholder said: “You do a lot more than your report says. You are doing great things with regards to sustainability, but it’s not all included in the annual Océ Sustainability Report”. This does not however mean that the next report should double in size!
Dilemmas
Some of Océ’s dilemmas were also discussed, such as the use of paper and energy. Océ earns a large part of its turnover from the presentation of images on paper. The increasing use of paper is in itself not sustainable due to its negative impact on supplies of energy, raw materials and water. One of the recommendations discussed was improved information and training for customers in the efficient use of paper and energy.
Measurable targets
The meeting was very successful and resulted in a lot of positive feedback and sustainable ideas. Océ and VBDO will discuss the outcome of the debate further and define the next steps. Océ is already working on some of the recommendations of its stakeholders. More concrete and measurable targets have already been defined. After approval from the Corporate Board of Executives, which will happen before the end of this fiscal year, these targets will be communicated to all stakeholders.
The intention of Océ and VBDO is to organize a stakeholder dialogue at least once a year for the coming three years. After this period Océ will continue organizing debates with its stakeholders, without the help of VBDO. VBDO has offered its help to only four other leading companies in the Netherlands in setting up a stakeholder dialogue.
