Energy is an indispensable part of our daily lives. It’s the basis for the prosperity of any society and it’s where a strong economy begins. Access to energy is an essential requirement for growth and development around the world, and this is why energy is such a special resource.

As an energy and service provider, we have a special role in ensuring the responsible and efficient use of energy resources. We must also help bring about a sustainable energy economy in which we can play an active role in society’s energy future.

We can only achieve this if we do business responsibly. This means that we have to take a long-term view and a balanced approach to our financial resources and performance, environmental protection and social engagement. Our goal is to earn, maintain and enhance the trust of key stakeholders in the current fast-changing landscape of economic, social and environmental conditions.

For this to be successful, we must work further towards integrating Corporate Responsibility (CR) into our everyday business activities. The improvement in our ratings and rankings in 2007 are proof that we have already made significant progress. For example, E.ON was listed for the first time in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index in 2007, showing that our performance places us amongst the top 10 percent of energy companies in this domain.

Clear accountability

Our Chief Executive, Paul Golby, is co-chair of the E.ON Group Corporate Responsibility Council which makes recommendations to the Board, oversees CR management and strategy, and monitors implementation of CR goals. Our General Counsel and Company Secretary also sits on the Group CR Council and is responsible for CR in the UK and ensures that it features regularly on the Board agenda.

We appointed a new Head of CR in the UK to ensure we have a robust CR programme. She works with a network of CR Partners from across the UK business to facilitate discussion and further embed CR within everyday business practice.