Corporate responsibility: Our approach

Our approach to corporate responsibility is focused broadly on three key areas of activity:

  • +Health safety and the environment (HS&E)

    With its long tradition of technological and engineering excellence, Rolls-Royce is well placed to help society address the problem of climate change and other environmental issues. We also believe that good HS&E performance is synonymous with good business performance and good governance.

  • +Employees

    We aim to create a working environment that attracts and retains the best people and which enhances their flexibility, capability and motivation, and encourages them to be involved, resulting in improved performance. In doing this we deliver on the commitment to all our stakeholders of being trusted to deliver excellence.

  • +Society

    Rolls-Royce has a firm, long-standing commitment to the communities in which we operate around the world. Sustained investment in communities makes a positive difference and delivers tangible benefits to our business. Corporate responsibility is also a key enabler in delivering our supply chain strategy globally.

The business case for corporate responsibility

Corporate responsibility is a fundamental part of the Group's business strategy. It is not conducted as a separate and self-contained activity, but is integral to the business. This is because we see corporate responsibility as making a key contribution to the success of Rolls-Royce in the markets in which we operate. We believe that conducting business in an ethical and responsible way brings us competitive advantage, because it helps us to:

  • attract and retain the best people;
  • build goodwill and maintain successful working relationships with customers, suppliers and governments; and
  • support the global communities in which our employees live and work.

The Group's values of reliability, integrity and innovation are embedded in our Global Code of Business Ethics. This provides a framework for our stakeholder relationships worldwide, the strength of which helps to shape the Group's reputation.

With around 39,500 employees in 50 countries, our strongest contribution to society is the wealth generated by the thousands of highly skilled jobs we provide worldwide.

Governance

Each area of corporate responsibility has its own governance process or managing committee, and each is led by a member of the Board or Group Executive. These include:

  • the Environmental Council, chaired by the Director - Engineering and Technology;
  • the HS&E committee, chaired by the Chief Executive;
  • the Global Council, chaired by the Director - Human Resources; and
  • the Group Community Investment and Sponsorship committee, chaired by the Chief Executive.

Individual subject matter expertise is reviewed by the Corporate Responsibility Steering Group, which reports regularly to the Board.

This group comprises the Director - Human Resources, Director of Public Affairs, Director of Risk, the General Counsel and Company Secretary. In addition, the corporate responsibility risk register uses the Company risk process to identify the potential risks and opportunities, as well as mitigation plans to address these risks. Additional information can be found in the Principal risks and uncertainties section.

External recognition

Rolls-Royce is ranked in a number of external indexes which benchmark corporate responsibility performance. During 2007, we retained our position in both the Dow Jones World and European Sustainability Indexes and retained our Platinum position in Business in the Community's voluntary Corporate Responsibility and Business in the Environment Indexes.

Dow Jones Sustainability (World and European) Indexes

Rolls-Royce has retained its position in the Dow Jones Sustainability (World and European) Indexes for the sixth consecutive year, confirming the Group's position as amongst the best in class for addressing a range of sustainability issues.Dow Jones Sustainability (World and European) Indexes

BitC BiE Index

In the 2006 Business in the Environment Index, Rolls-Royce was once again awarded Platinum status and placed in first position in the Aerospace and Defence Sector.

Environtment Index 2006

BitC Corporate Responsibility Index

In the 2006 Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility Index, Rolls-Royce retained its position as a Platinum status company.

BitC Corporate Responsibility Index

Rolls-Royce has a long history of being a responsible business. In the coming years the world will continue to change, along with the needs and expectations of all of our stakeholders. We are committed to build on our track record and our obligation to continue to behave responsibly.

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