25. September 2007 by admin.

Novo Nordisk Ranks Supersector Leader in the 2007 Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes
Novo Nordisk Ranks Supersector Leader in the 2007 Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes

PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Novo Nordisk, a
world leader in diabetes care, announced that effective today, the company
is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) as
best-in-class in the healthcare industry — one of 18 global supersectors
analyzed.
The latest global analysis of corporate sustainability leadership was
based on a thorough analysis of companies’ economic, environmental and
social performance, assessing issues including corporate governance, risk
management, branding, climate change, supply chain standards and labor
practices.
The report concludes “Novo Nordisk is the leading company in terms of
sustainability in the pharmaceutical industry. Sustainability is an
integral part of its corporate strategy and business organization.”
The report continues, “Novo Nordisk is particularly strong in the
social dimension where it achieved the industry top ratings in human
capital development, corporate citizenship/philanthropy, and social
reporting.” The company’s responsible sourcing, environmental management,
bioethics and climate strategy also achieve high scores.
“This honor provides us further encouragement for operating our
business according to our Triple Bottom Line philosophy — a company that
can be economically vital, as well as socially and environmentally
responsible,” said Martin Soeters, president, Novo Nordisk in the United
States.
“Our passion for changing diabetes is supported by an understanding
that sustainability in business is not just possible but necessary. By
putting the patient at the center of all we do — from providing the best
therapies to patients and advocating our employees’ volunteerism with
patient groups and at diabetes camps to our environmental stewardship
through water conservation efforts and our climate change strategy — we
strive to be successful and responsible.”
The indexes, which currently comprise USD$5.6 billion assets under
management, are used as a tool by asset managers in 15 countries to guide
their investment decisions.
Novo Nordisk has been a component of the Dow Jones Sustainability
Indexes every year since the launch in 1999.
About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company with an 84-year history of
innovation and achievement in diabetes care. The company has the broadest
diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced
products within the area of insulin delivery systems. In addition to
diabetes care, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as
hemostasis management, growth hormone therapy, and hormone therapy for
women. Novo Nordisk’s business is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a
commitment to economic success, environmental soundness, and social
responsibility to employees and customers. With headquarters in Denmark,
Novo Nordisk employs more than 25,000 employees in 79 countries, and
markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk’s B shares are listed
on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the
New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ‘NVO’. For global information,
visit novonordisk.com; for United States information, visit
novonordisk-us.com.

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25. September 2007 by admin.

Sustainability tops retail agenda - Talking Retail
Sustainability tops retail agenda

Green issues, “multi-channel” retailing and changing consumer demands will top the agenda at next year’s World Retail Congress in Barcelona.

The topics were decided upon after a meeting of the congress advisory board in Paris.

The board includes Greg Sage, international corporate affairs director for Tesco, David Shriver, strategic advisor at Carrefour, and B&Q chief executive Ian Cheshire.

During the meeting, much emphasis was placed on the importance of the sustainability debate, especially energy policies, ethical sourcing and sustainable materials.

This will now form a key theme of the congress.

The advisory board recommended that the congress seeks to identify a number of “sustainability pledges” during the debate, which would be endorsed by delegates and so form a set of global benchmarks for best practice.

Said Cheshire: “Sustainability has become a serious business issue for retailers because the consumer has come to place far greater value on it than ever before.”

Multi-channel retailing - selling through the web, catalogues, and call centres as well as stores - had also grown in importance over the last year, the advisory board decided.

Next year’s World Retail Congress takes place from 9-11 April 2008.

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