INITIAL ANALYSIS
Snam has begun to look into ways of reinterpreting and overhauling its sustainability approach under the Shared Value theme.
The concept was formalised in a paper (now well-known) published by Michael Porter and Mark Kramer in December 2010, which explores the current link between the economic system and society and redefines the limits of corporate social responsibility. The assumption behind the new concept is that companies must take action to reconcile business and society, by promoting knowledge, practice and present or potential initiatives: i.e., to create economic value in ways that simultaneously create value for the company as well as for stakeholders and the regions concerned.
Snam’s tangible and intangible assets, which are in some senses unique, such as the gas infrastructure network and the technological assets and skills needed to run it, place the Company in a privileged position to develop and discuss a “Sustainability 2.0”, in which an innovative concept such as Shared Value would be incorporated into the strongest approach to reducing and controlling operational and reputational risks, thus creating the conditions for a competitive advantage for the Company and the regions in which it operates.
SNAMS SHARED VALUE TODAY
Snam took up this idea and began a process of reflection in early 2012, aiming to use this new strategic impetus to more effectively combine oversight of risk factors, consolidation of business ethics and enhancement of reputational capital with which management could make the Company a key player in the country’s development.
This initial reflection phase was followed by development of an interpretative summary model, leading to a review of the key business processes within this perspective, with the aim of systematising and bringing out not only the Shared Value already produced but also opportunities to produce new value. These processes are:
- the process of relations with suppliers, to give the Company more reliability, flexibility and competitiveness, while also generating healthy entrepreneurial development countrywide;
- the process of making new investments, by sharing with the region, at a reduced marginal cost, the output generated during implementation of infrastructure, from planning to restoration;
- the process of managing and creating value from sites and infrastructure, which legitimises network citizenship;
- the process of delivering service according to criteria of reliability, continuity and quality, at a pace that safeguards and consolidates business and favours value creation.
The first Shared Value projects to emerge from this process review phase have already been reported on, in the document “Towards Shared Value”, attached to the 2011 Sustainability Report. The Shared Value projects carried out in 2012 also refer to the processes mentioned above. They are described in more detail in the boxes dispersed through this Report, denoted by their respective logos.
SHARED VALUE IN 2012
|
In its relationships with suppliers, Snam shares value by making corporate know-how available through a knowledge-sharing system that supports the companies in the supply chain on a pathway of continuous improvement. This can both increase the competitiveness of these companies and the reliability of their partnership with Snam, which enhances final service quality. |
• Workshops targeted at suppliers on the subjects of health and safety in the workplace by the sharing of best practices • Continued the distribution of legal compliance protocols in order to disseminate, in areas at greatest risk, a new culture by affirming the universal principles of legality throughout the supply chain • Launched the creation of a Supplier’s Portal, a web platform able to facilitate the exchange of information, with a focus on sustainability topics |
Snam has created
|
In managing and creating value from sites and infrastructure, Snam shares value by providing stakeholders in the region with spaces and knowledge, benefiting local populations and creating a regional competitive advantage. |
As it makes new investments, Snam shares value with the region, distributing knowledge of corporate best practice among local players as they apply naturalistic engineering techniques in particularly sensitive areas with complex ecosystems, such as parks and protected zones. |
|
• Landscape reclamation of a green space and renovation of meeting areas made available to the local community of Portovenere (SP) • Enhancing the cultural heritage of the Italgas Historical Archive and Museum in Turin |
• A publishing project which describes an example of the combination of sustainable economic development and environmental improvement in the construction of a methane gas pipeline in the Parco dei Nebrodi in Sicily |
