Our Journey » 2005

First place in the Euronatura Climate Responsibility ranking. This evaluates the performance of Portuguese companies, across different sectors, in terms of their ability to handle the challenge of climate change.

Corporate Environmental Management System (EMS) formally certified according to the ISO 14001 standard. This certification was an industry first and applies to all the business activities of Sonae Sierra such as ownership, development and management of shopping centres.

First Sierra shopping centres to be certified to ISO 14001: Centro Colombo and NorteShopping in Portugal achieved the goal.

ISO 14001 certification for a further three construction works: LoureShopping and Serra Shopping in Portugal and Plaza Éboli in Spain were recognised for their strong environmental management practices during the construction phase.

Sonae became one of the 24 founding members of The World Safety Declaration, a global commitment to improve workplace safety.

CR Policy launched and approved by Sonae Sierra's Board of Directors. This outlines our goal to be at the forefront of the industry in relation to corporate responsibility and our commitment to continuously challenge the status quo in order to find innovative and more sustainable ways of developing and managing shopping centres.

Code of Conduct launched and approved by the Sonae Sierra Board of Directors to establish and promote the fundamental aspects of ethical behaviour which we believe should be adopted in our business and all our activities.

Horizons magazine launched to improve internal communications at Sonae Sierra and CR related issues feature frequently.

Research project undertaken to investigate the CR priorities of several major tenants and CR questions incorporated into the Annual Tenants Survey.

'Be Innovative' programme was launched, designed to generate new ideas and foster innovation from staff across Sonae Sierra, regardless of their function or position. Business ideas generated through the programme are considered by senior management and where possible implemented. Winning ideas are rewarded with gifts or vouchers.

GHG emissions measurement applied to all shopping centres and corporate offices.

Organic waste composting rolled out to 3 centres in Portugal following the successful pilot at NorteShopping. Through this initiative, Sierra managed to recover around 620 tonnes of organic matter, representing 6% of total waste produced at the four shopping centres with this system in 2005.

Participated in the development of the Energy Efficiency Good Practices Manual with BCSD Portugal. The manual aims to disseminate best available techniques for achieving energy efficiency, and contains two Sonae Sierra case studies.