This year the Italcementi Group Sustainable Development Report has enlarged its scope:  the 4th edition of the Report has been enriched in contents with the creation of a magazine ‘sdVision’, dedicated to successful local case histories, interviews and educational information addressed to a broader audience, with a particular focus on young people.

This fourth edition represents a unique publication in the history of the Group SD information tools. It is made up of two documents: a Report (sdReport) and a Magazine (sdVision).
The sdReport contains facts, figures and indicators in order to provide detailed and updated information on the Group’s overall economic, environmental and social performance in 2006. It is mainly addressed to specialists, rating agencies, regulators and Public Administrations.
On the other hand, the sdVision magazine outlines a worldwide survey of the Sustainable Development situation through interviews, articles and local case histories supported by photos and figures with pedagogical pills and an educational game aiming at raising young people’ awareness on this current and crucial matter.

Along with the publication of 2006 sdReport, Italcementi Group has earned Best in Class status for its leading environmental and social performance and has therefore qualified for investment in Storebrand's SRI mandates.

Since the launch of the “Zero Accidents” project, there has been a significant improvement in the Group’s performance. From 2000 to 2006, the accident frequency rate registered a 68.5% decrease, while the severity rate was reduced by almost 78%. In terms of CO2 emissions, specific emissions reduced from 747 kg CO2/ton in 2005 to 741 kg CO2/ton in 2006 on a like for like perimeter basis. This positive impact was due mainly to a progressive fuels switch, and the use of biomass fuels. Italcementi has obtained an independent assurance of its Group-wide CO2 emission performance data by Ernst&Young.

Since the edition 2003 of the sdReport, the Group has devoted significant effort to its reporting initiatives, keeping in mind the continuous improvement of both the quality and the transparency of the information provided. Over the years, Italcementi has always shown a constant dialogue between stakeholders and the people part of the Group. That is why a feedback form is included in the 2006 Report to enable readers to respond with opinions, suggestions or question to clarify any doubts or aspects of the Group’s activities on Sustainable Development.