Green Week 2017: deploying LVMH environmental policy
LVMH
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Green Week, the annual environmental policy conference organized by the European Commission, takes place from May 29-June 2 this year, centered on the theme “Green jobs for a greener environment”. LVMH is taking part in this major event for the seventh consecutive year, providing an opportunity to share initiatives designed to engage all Group employees in driving the ecological transition. The focus today is the key role played by Environment Managers.
To effectively deploy its environmental policy LVMH has established an organization with two pillars: the Group Environmental Department, created in 1992, and a network of Environment Managers at all LVMH Maisons. “Today, the great majority of the activities in the Group’s different business sectors have made key environmental issues an integral part of their operations,” says LVMH Environment Director Sylvie Bénard about this network, which currently spans 60 people with a variety of profiles and skills, from agricultural engineers and finance managers to communications officers or packaging specialists. What they all share is strong expertise in environmental issues and a commitment to advancing the objectives of the LIFE program – LVMH Initiatives For the Environment.
Louis Vuitton Environment Manager Sandrine Noël explains: “We have a cross-disciplinary role that aims to inspire new ideas. How do we anticipate future risks and opportunities? What sustainability factors do our Maisons need to take into account to align with the luxury sector business models of tomorrow?” The Environment Managers are responsible for making protection of natural resources an integral part of the strategy at their Maisons, as well as the day-to-day work of teams. They champion, promote and deploy the LIFE program across every department at all LVMH Maisons.
To share best practices, gain insights from international specialists and discuss LIFE objectives, the Environmental Department organizes regular meetings of its network, strengthening cohesion and enhancing collective effectiveness.
“We now have links that connect all the different sites and functions,” says Sophie Gourbat-Raimbault, Food Safety and Environment Manager at Hennessy. “People come to me with suggested solutions. Because technology is one thing, but cross-disciplinary management, exchanging information and emulation are also very important, which is part of what makes my role so motivating.”