Corporate responsibility strategy

Strategy 2010

The adidas Group's social and environmental strategy 2008-2010 has been built on the achievements and experiences from previous years. It responds to changes in our overall business development and to feedback that we have captured from stakeholders. Our strategy defines primary areas which are core to our business and where we dedicate our attention, efforts and resources. These areas are:

  • Embedding environmental sustainability across our business - this recognises the urgent need to address questions of resource use, environmental degradation and climate change, 'the' business drivers for the 21st Century
  • Effectively managing business risks and social compliance in our supply chain - the supply chain is expanding, and becoming more complex with multiple relationships and stretched lines of communication and control
  • Extending our engagement internally and externally - partnering with others to embed new thinking and better ways of working within our business and along our supply chain. The issues are so large and complex that we cannot solve them alone
  • Creating the best and most productive workplace in the industry by becoming a champion in talent and succession management, a world-class recruiter and a Top 10 employer in every key market in which we operate.

More detailed targets for each of these core areas were defined for 2008 and published in our 2007 Social and Environmental Report. In the present report you can read about our progress against these targets.

Key focus areas

Core area
Topic
Goal
Environmental sustainability Product 'The right choice'
  Production 'Partner for change'
  Own sites 'Lead by example'
Supply chain Direct supply chain 'Drive self-governance'
  Indirect supply chain 'Control and manage risks'
  Business entities 'Drive accountability'
  Global economic crisis 'Transparent management'
Stakeholder engagement Internal 'Drive integration and embedded thinking'
  External 'Partner for change, transparency and accountability'
Our employees Succession planning 'To be a champion in succession planning'
  Recruitment 'To be a world-class recruiter'
  Employer of choice 'To be a Top 10 employer of choice in every key market in which we operate.'