Management System
Swedish Match works systematically with environment and quality focus in areas with environmental impact.
The large majority of our business units are certified according to the environmental standard ISO 14001 representing approximately 90 per cent of the Group’s sales. During the year, the General Cigar production entities in the Dominican Republic have been certified and the entities in Honduras are planned to be certified during 2008.
Since the ISO 14001 certifications are mainly applicable to the production units in Swedish Match an internal Environmental Management System, EMS, has been developed, to cover all other business units, such as head offices and sales offices.
During 2007, the Group Council has formulated a common working platform for environmental issues. Swedish Match now has one single reporting and evaluation structure with common definitions for the entire Group.
Improvement work
The production processes and raw materials used in the tobacco industry generally have limited impact on the environment. Approximately 80 percent of the Group’s raw materials are renewable and production handles environmentally harmful substances to only a limited extent. Swedish Match, however, is eager to bring improvements in the areas that do have effects on the environment.
In order to increase resource efficiency, the Group is continuously developing its systems for cleaning and reducing emissions. Swedish Match works constantly to achieve improvements in areas that have an environmental impact such as water and energy consumption and waste management.
Swedish Match identifies the environmental aspects of its activities, products and services. The search for items with negative environmental impact originates at business unit level. Our philosophy is that the environmental work is to be carried out as locally as possible and based on identified environmental aspects, local targets for environmental efforts are formulated. These targets should be clear, measurable and consistent with the environmental policy. Examples of targets are prevention of air or water pollution, reduction of energy consumption and compliance with regulations, and other commitments.
Climate change
Increased awareness of the scientific findings surrounding climate change has resulted in a shift in perceptions and attitudes concerning the causes and importance of global warming. Swedish Match’s prioritized environmental target is to limit the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the climate. The Company is working purposefully on different improvement activities and projects.
Emission reduction programs are in place for all business units certified according to ISO 14001. Systematic reduction programs have been in place since 1999.
Emission reduction programs are related mainly to energy consumption in production facilities as well as fuel consumption related to transports. Many of our business units are working with energy saving programs and programs to reduce the consumption of electricity for heating/cooling and lighting. Measures taken include, among other things, the installation of low-energy lighting, insulation, heat-recovery systems and energy consumption controls.