AU Optronics (AUO) (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today presents its CSR achievements in 2009 with the theme of "A World to Share, A Planet to Care," illustrating the fruits and efforts from continuous interaction with all the stakeholders. For the first time, feedbacks from scholars are incorporated to display AUO's green efforts more objectively and professionally, and to provide balanced reporting. AUO CSR Report 2009 has been independently verified by a third party, winning GRI/G3 Level A+ (1) recognition for three consecutive years. Meanwhile, AUO also again met AA1000AS (2) standards.
AUO has been devoting an all-out effort to the implementation of corporate social responsibility, maintaining high transparency and credibility in the information disclosure of sustainability indexes including economic, environmental and social aspects. Valuable inputs are gathered from the well-informed stakeholders for the development of more innovative and sustainable measures to meet the needs and expectation of all sides. "As a global leader of TFT-LCD panels, AUO has demanded highly of itself for sustainable CSR practices to head the green trends," said L.J. Chen, president and CEO of AUO. "Following the official announcement of Green Solutions Initiative in 2008, earlier this year AUO made a declaration of carbon footprint reduction, aiming at a 30% decrease in carbon footprint level in 2009 by 2012. This is to demonstrate AUO's commitment for sustainable development to ensure maximum benefits for clients and consumers," he added.
Highlights in this year's report include:
32" LCD TV certified as the first LCD TV set to have gained Carbon Footprint Verification
In September 2009, an AUO-made 32" LCD TV was certified by SGS as the first LCD TV set worldwide to have gained PAS 2050:2008 Carbon Footprint Verification. It set a milestone for carbon footprint management of consumer electronics. Among all the recognized products around the globe, the making of this LCD TV was viewed as the most delicate and complicated. Its supply chain was comprised of more than 500 vendors.
Effective GHG (Greenhouse Gas) Reduction
In order to examine the relationship between production capacity and environmental impacts, AUO defined a set of EEIs (Eco-Efficiency Indexes) as a reference for long-term management. GHG EEI, one of the indicators tracking greenhouse gas emissions, has been showing a downward trend over recent years. According to the Green-2010 Goal, AUO aims to reduce GHG EEI by 70% compared with the 2004 level. The goal has already been achieved in 2009, one year ahead of the schedule.
Reuse of raw materials and packaging materials increased
AUO has been actively recycling and reusing raw materials such as strippers and liquid crystal. The recycle and reuse rate for stripper reached 100% in 2009. In terms of the packaging materials from suppliers for backlight modules and polarizers, AUO has also monitored their recycling each month to avoid unnecessary waste. The recycling rate of packaging materials per month exceeded 90% in 2009.
Taiwan 88 Flood Relief Project
In 2009, Typhoon Morakot resulted in heavy damage to Taiwan. BenQ Group was among the first to have pooled its group resources and donated NT$100 million. Taiwan 88 Flood Relief Project was then initiated, with the education of children in the flooded areas being top priority. Taiwu Elementary School in Pingtong and Jialan Elementary School in Taitung were adopted and the campuses were rebuilt with disaster-proof solar systems installed. In case of natural disasters, the solar systems could still generate electricity in blackout situation.
Global deployment for best services
To provide even more satisfactory services, AUO stepped up expansions in Europe in 2009, as evidenced by approximately 60% yoy increase of European employees (including employees in Czech Republic and Slovakia). The number of employees in China also went up by 20% last year. All these figures indicate the globalization of AUO. To meet the vigorous demands for growth, AUO has led by valuing human resources. Elites from worldwide are welcome to join AUO in quest of a wealth of global opportunities.
PV, the vibrant new business
AUO entered the energy market in 2008. In June, 2009, AUO subscribed to new shares issued by M.Setek, a leader of polysilicon and monocrystalline wafers, to secure key materials. In the same month, the shipment of solar modules began. In October, the Solar Photovoltaic Business Unit was established. AUO has worked proactively with its partners from up- to downstream to build a complete solar industry value chain. In December, a 3MWp project in Hungen, Germany connected to the grid, supplying 800 households.
Named to 2009 Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index
AUO was first selected as a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia/Pacific Index (DJSI Asia/Pacific) in 2009, making it the only pure TFT-LCD manufacturer worldwide to have joined the Index. It recognized AUO's constant dedication and performance in CSR and sustainable operations. Among the sectors of DJSI, AUO was categorized under the Computer Hardware & Electronic Office Equipment (THQ) sector, the only pure B2B company on the Index in that category.
AUO will continue to enhance our performances in CSR initiatives with constant efforts and self-monitoring. For more information, please refer to our CSR Report 2009 at: http://auo.com/auoDEV/extras.php?sec=downloadcentercsr2009&ls=en.