HSE reporting process

Performance of operating units against key HSE indicators is monitored on a monthly basis at Novartis. In 2006, a tailor-made HSE Data Management System was developed and introduced worldwide to facilitate data collection, in line with more stringent reporting standards. This new system for monitoring HSE performance provides all management levels throughout the Group with information needed to take early action if deviations against targets occur.

Novartis sets HSE targets covering periods of at least three years to allow better analysis, planning and implementation of programs. Progress towards targets is reviewed annually with each division and business unit, that are also involved in target setting based on recommendations by functional experts.

The HSE Data Management System and data collection process are key elements of Corporate Citizenship Management at Novartis. The data describes our major material flows across companyboundaries and environmental impacts originating from our own operations (Scope 1), as well as greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from the generation of purchased energy (Scope 2). We do not monitor environmental impacts from the manufacture and delivery of purchased goods and services, nor the use of resources and other related emissions for activities outside company boundaries (Scope 3), such as GHG emissions from transportation by third parties. HSE data is collected and reviewed on a quarterly basis.

The 2007 environmental and resource data published in the Annual Report and on our website are actual data for the period from January through September and best estimates for the period October through December, which will be updated with actual data in the first quarter of 2008. Significant deviations will be reported on our website and restated in next year's Annual Report. The Employees and Health/Safety data are actual from January through December 2007.

 

Restatement of 2007 data

The emission and resource data published in the 2007 Annual Report and reported in the section Environmental performance on novartis.com included estimates for the October through December period that required subsequent adjustments. Inaccuracies identified in data from previous years were also corrected.

The process described above has been applied to the 2007 Novartis HSE data. All forecast values published in the 2007 Annual Report and on this website have been compared with the actual figures for the period 2007, and the following deviations have been observed:

• Halogenated Volatile Organic Compound emissions are 8% higher than the figure previously estimated and, as a consequence, the target for this indicator has not been achieved
• Energy consumption in 2007 was also higher than previously estimated, and now exhibits a 2% increase on 2006
• Both Scope 1 and Scope 2 Greenhouse Gas emissions continue to display a reduction on figures from 2006, however the reduction is less pronounced than previously estimated and can be regarded as constant
• Energy Costs are 13% higher than previously reported

The actual 2007 HSE figures are summarized in the downloadable data table available on this site and will be published in the 2008 Annual Report.

Restated Health, Safety and Environment Data Table 2007 ›
(30 KB)