Each brand has a well-defined identity, with a specific values which are reflected in the product offering, features and design, as well as in appropriate communication mechanics.
We remain convinced that our balanced business model, combining profitable growth and a resolutely responsible approach, creates value for all and plays a full part in our contribution to better living in households around the world.
In terms of biodiversity, the Group's policy is based on two axes. The first is to reduce as much as possible the pressure exerted by its activities on the environment (Eco-production). These include combating climate change and overexploitation of resources, and limiting land use (or change in use). The second axis aims to promote biodiversity through specific actions (conservatory gardens, shelters for wildlife, maintenance of wetlands, etc.).
In 2019, the Group did a global inventory of the practices of its sites in terms of protecting biodiversity by means of a questionnaire structured by major themes (wetlands, pollinating insects, birds, woodlands, etc.). The most striking and easily replicable initiatives were compiled into a booklet that will be provided to all sites worldwide. The Group encourages all its entities to take steps to protect biodiversity, for example to progressively eliminate the use of plant protection products to maintain green areas. This is already happening at Group headquarters: SEB Campus banned such products some years ago.
The Campus also houses a 300 m2 conservation garden, established in 2016 with the Vavilov Institute (Saint Petersburg), the oldest plant gene bank in the world. Groupe SEB joined the network of Vavilov gardens in order to maintain biodiversity and develop healthy and responsible eating. This garden brings together varieties created in Rhône-Alps in the 19th and 20th centuries, old Russian varieties, and a collection of wild species. Employees at the Campus can sign up for workshops on aspects of gardening, which are run monthly from March to November.
Many sites created flower meadows such as Emsdetten (Germany) or Is-sur-Tille (France). The latter installed a swallow tower used by a colony of swallows as a place to give birth and set up a home in a place where they were not usually found. Between 50 and 150 hatchlings take flight from there each year. Another such tower was also installed at SEB Campus. Other initiatives include: the Rumilly site (France) has hives; at Erbach (Germany), ponies take care of mowing the grass and at Canonsburg (United States) an aquatic biodiversity area was developed, using rainwater harvesting, just like at SEB Campus. Many sites also planted trees, usually fruit trees (Egypt, India, Colombia, etc.).