Italgas joins the elite of large companies committed to environmental sustainability. Katia Corvino: “We’ve brought out the values we have in our DNA.”
The Dow Jones Sustainability Index is an authoritative global “thermometer” that certifies how committed large listed companies are to sustainability. Its birth dates back exactly 20 years ago, to 1999, and is the result of the collaboration between Standard&Poors Dow Jones indices and Robeco Sustainable Asset Management, two of the major international reference points in the sector. In addition to the global index, the Djsi World, of the same “stable” also includes other geo-referenced sustainability indexes on smaller areas: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Emerging Markets, Korea, Australia, Chile and Mila Pacific Alliance.
Italgas enters the Dow Jones Sustainability Index
Italgas joined Djsi World for the first time this year: “It has been a great challenge for us – comments Katia Corvino, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility – but we have not finalized our activities to the goal of entering the index: we have put our beliefs into practice, and the entry into Djsi World is a reflection of our efforts, as well as a stimulus”. “We have brought out values that are in our DNA – continues Corvino – but we are also aware that this is only a first step, however important. Now we will have to deal with our peers in the Djsi World arena, and we are confident that we have the strength to support this commitment, also thanks to the great endorsement on corporate sustainability issues that comes from top management and CEO Paolo Gallo himself”.
Evaluation criteria
But what are the evaluation criteria for entering the Djsi sustainability index ? The analysis of economic indicators and performance from a social and environmental point of view makes a decisive contribution. But also factors such as corporate governance, risk management strategies, brand consideration, climate change decisions, supplier chain standards and employee policies. With the consequence that companies that do not move ethically cannot join the Djsj. The assessment criteria include both general and specific requirements for more than 601 industrial sectors that are included in the so-called “Industry classification benchmark”. The characteristics evolve every year, putting the Djsi companies in the need to continue to implement their long-term strategies. The selection is made through a transparent process, based on the classification of companies in the Corporate Sustainability Assessment which is published annually by Sustainable Asset Management.
Italgas’ commitment
The company led by Paolo Gallo entered the Djsi thanks to a business model inspired by criteria of environmental, social and economic sustainability, and based on a constant interaction with the territories in which it operates. “The company,” Corvino points out, “aims for growth that is consistent with respect for the environment, the development of people and positive interaction with territories and communities. It was on this basis that the Sustainability Committee and the Department for Corporate Social Responsibilitywere born . Alongside the business plan, the company is also carrying out a sustainability plan based on five pillars, which today consists of 14 objectives and 45 short and medium-term actions.
Commitment to the environment and care for people
“The cornerstones of our commitment are the culture of sustainability within the company, along the entire value chain, together with the increase in employee well-being and the improvement of accident indices – adds Corvino – Fundamental is the contribution to the efficiency and safety of the energy system, which passes through the reduction of the carbon footprint, the development of gas advocacy and the enabling of circular economic processes”. Italgas also aims to improve the Group’s sustainability positioning by joining the Global Compact and four other sector networks, and a series of concrete activities such as the conversion of the entire company fleet with methane powered vehicles. In addition, to improve energy efficiency in the thermal power plants of the Reduction and Measurement Withdrawal and Measurement plants, Iprm, in 2018 28 microcontroller devices were installed that allow a significant reduction in preheating consumption and limit the possibility of condensation in the summer months.
“But corporate social responsibility – concludes Corvino – is not only attention to the environment, on which we also constantly raise awareness among all our employees: it also means intervening on the social and inclusiveness axis. We are also engaged in a massive effort of digitization, which will soon affect our great archival heritage, a precious testimony of the history of Italy since the first decades of 1800: we intend, thanks to digital, to make it available and accessible to all”.
