Sustainability management
A cooperative approach and Valio’s shared values, mission and vision are the cornerstones of our operations.
Responsibility for the environment, the economy, people and society is embedded in everything we do. In line with its policies, Valio is committed to respecting human rights, environmental sustainability and ethical business operations.
Our operations are certified by an independent third party for food safety, quality and environmental management.
We make sure that all Valio employees and stakeholders can confidentially report serious concerns related to Valio’s operations or practices by using the Valio Whistle channel.
We take care of the entire value chain
Valio’s value chain has many stages that impact the wellbeing of people, the environment and animals. Valio’s sustainability efforts are based on topics identified as material to Valio within its value chain.
The focal points in sustainability
We have identified the most important sustainability topics together with our stakeholders and separate experts. The outcome of the double materiality assessment determines the sustainability themes material to Valio from the perspective of the company’s own human rights and environmental impacts as well as the sustainability related financial impacts on the company. The most material topics have been compiled into a matrix, which has been approved by Valio’s management.
Sustainability focus areas and targets
The focus areas of Valio Group’s sustainable business are based on its business and owner strategy and the materiality assessment. The sustainable business focus areas define the issues that are the priorities of Valio’s sustainability work and targets. The focus areas are reviewed after the review of the materiality assessment. We have set targets for each focus area, we monitor them regularly, and we communicate information about their progress in our Sustainability Report.
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT MODEL
Valio has defined a sustainability governance model. Valio’s Board of Directors’ ESG review and the Executive Board’s Sustainability Forum is held twice a year. These events oversee the effectiveness of sustainability principles and due diligence processes, track the progress towards sustainability targets and address current sustainability topics.
A separate management review of HSEQ matters and related management systems is held once a year for Valio’s Executive Board. Material impacts, risks and opportunities are taken into account in the company’s strategy in line with the strategy process.
Each function and person with responsibility for material topics has a responsibility for the topic-related policies, targets and actions. Valio’s ESG Director is responsible for the internal management, coordination and cooperation of the sustainability work. Cooperation groups comprising Valio experts have been defined around material topics. The groups meet regularly, share information and advance the topics in the matrix. The ESG working groups in the matrix are structured around environment, social and governance themes.