CSR is not a new idea. It is historically tied to the development and evolution of private business from the beginning of commerce in the 16th century and, later, to the industrial revolution. Concepts such as sponsorships and philanthropy were well-known in ancient as well as modern Greece, while during the Enlightenment concepts such as “utopian socialism” were widespread.
In 1987, the now well-known Brutland Report is published, coining the term “sustainable development” and emphasizing the need to promote and apply a new type of precautionary approach to the environment and its protection in order to ensure sustainable future growth.
A variety of terms, often used interchangeably, are used to define the concept of corporate social responsibility such as business ethics, corporate accountability, sustainable development and others.
At the beginning of the 1990s, the term was used in contradistinction to many of the negative developments publicly revealed throughout the decade related to violations of fundamental rights and freedoms of employees, as well as those of citizens, in developing countries.
For the TITAN Group, CSR is a tradition disseminated through our concept of branching out and adding value from the parent company, TITAN CEMENT S.A. to all new Group companies and activities.
Milestones of the TITAN Group CSR initiatives and activities
2000 |
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- Formulation of Group strategic objectives and publication of corporate values directly related to Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development
- Participation in the establishment of Hellenic CSR Network
- Launching in Greece of “FAOS”, a local partnership initiative focused on accident prevention at schools
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2001 |
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- Cooperation with other cement industries for the implementation of the Battelle Study, which led to the establishment of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development / Cement Sustainability Initiative (WBCSD/CSI)
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2002 |
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- Launching of a special CSR campaign throughout Greece to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of TITAN Cement S.A., parent company of TITAN Group
- Joining the U.N. Global Compact Initiative
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2003 |
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- Participation as a core member in the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and its Cement Sustainability Initiative
- Publication of TITAN’s 1st Group CSR and Sustainability Report in line with GRI principles
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2004 |
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- 1st publication of TITAN’s Values and Code of Conduct in all languages of Group employees
- Participation as core member in CSR Europe
- Adoption of the “branching out and adding value” approach in line with the Global Compact to encourage partnership building and mainstreaming CSR within TITAN’s sphere of influence
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2006 |
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- Launching of Group’s 5 year plan with environmental and social targets
- Participation in the European Commission’s initiative titled “European Business Alliance for CSR” with a leading role in the European Workshop for the promotion of CSR in the supply chain
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2007 |
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- First independent assessment and report verification in line with GRI principles (G3), whereby TITAN was awarded an Α+ assurance level rating
- Embarking on the UN Global Compact and WBCSD joint Climate for Change Initiative
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2008 |
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- Organization of the First National Stakeholders’ Forum, with the participation of employees, suppliers, shareholders, customers, mayors of neighboring municipalities, non-governmental organizations, media and academics
- Independent assessment and report verification extended to Southeast European operations
- Participation in the establishment of national Global Compact Networks in Greece and in FYROM as well as in the foundation of the Greek Business Council for Sustainable Development
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2009 |
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- Launching of new joint effort in collaboration with the UN World Food Program, in Egypt titled “Feed Minds, Change Lives”
- Opening of new on-line web-based emissions report in TITAN Usje, FYROM
- Joining the UN Global Compact “Seal the Deal” campaign for Copenhagen Climate Change Conference
- Start-up of certified Vocational Training Center funded by TITAN in Albania
- Independent Assessment and Report Verification extended to Egypt and the new developing project in Albania
- Planning local stakeholders’ forums and branching out experiences
- Third independent assessment and report verification in line with GRI principles (G3), whereby TITAN was awarded an Α+ assurance level rating
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