Corporate social responsibility at SITA
SITA's CSR vision and approach
Vision
Acting responsibly is at the heart of all we do. We believe that corporate social responsibility (CSR) can make a positive difference for everyone - our employees, our business, our customers and the air transport industry (ATI). We strive to be a responsible business because it makes us a better business.
Approach
In the framework of a formal CSR charter, we will manage our social and environmental responsibilities in a way which:
- Serves our air transport community members and all our stakeholders exceptionally well
- Enhances employee engagement, empowerment and diversity, builds employee trust and ensures people have pride in the company
- Strengthens our business by differentiating SITA from its competitors
- Drives innovation on environmental sustainability for the ATI
What we are doing
Corporate social responsibility is important to SITA and is fundamental to the way we do business, our corporate governance and risk management. For an overview of our activity, see our CSR programme overview.
Our CSR strategy demonstrates our commitment in this area, and we are actively monitoring our progress and performance through our targets.
SITA is a member of CSR Europe.
SITA is proud to support the UN 2012 initiative International Year of Cooperatives.
Sustainability
SITA's role in relation to sustainability is a dual one: as a key player in the provision of technology to the ATI; and as an organization in our own right.
As a provider of technology to the ATI, we can assist our customers in meeting their environmental challenges by developing IT services and tools that enable them to be more effective and efficient. The ATI is a major user of carbon-based fuels and therefore has an increased responsibility to address the issues of emissions and environmental footprint. As a demonstration of our commitment, SITA was the first major IT services provider to sign the public declaration on Aviation Industry Commitment to Action on Climate Change.
Acting responsibly as a business
SITA has a number of policies that ensure we are conducting business in a responsible manner. We take into account local laws and codes of practice regarding health and safety, ethics and the environment, and will take all steps practical to provide a healthy, safe and secure working environment for all personnel under its direct supervision.
SITA has a well established Ethics Policy in place, and all new staff are required to undergo ethics training as part of their induction. A refresh programme ensures that all employees renew their training regularly. As part of our organizational culture, our employees are expected to act with integrity, and we expect any party acting on our behalf to subscribe to, and demonstrate, the same values. In early 2010, SITA established an Ethics Office to promote and raise awareness of ethics issues and to allow any member of staff to raise ethical concerns in a confidential manner.
Our employees
SITA employs a workforce that is unique in its vast geographic, cultural and linguistic diversity, and which distinguishes us from many other companies. Our employees bring a wealth of experience and perspectives to the organization. This diversity, united by common goals and values, gives our organization a unique identity.
Committed to equal opportunity, SITA strongly opposes any form of direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or bullying on the grounds of gender; ethnic or national origin; class; colour; age; sexual orientation; gender reassignment; disability; marital or family status; religion and religious beliefs; employment status; membership or non-membership of a trade union; or HIV status.
Our working environment
SITA has a responsibility to be a good corporate citizen everywhere we are located. To this end, we have implemented a number of initiatives in our different offices, including:
- Recycling
- PolyEthylene Terephthalate (PET) recycling
- Reducing power consumption
- Energy saving computer equipment
- Recycling and environmentally conscious disposal of IT equipment
SITA has also implemented green office guidelines in locations such as Sydney and Letterkenny. In addition, our Next Generation Data Centre in Atlanta uses a million-gallon rainwater collection facility for chilled water cooling, with internal humidity controlled by a combination of external air, external humidity and a state-of-the-art humidifier, while server virtualization minimizes energy consumption - meaning a smaller footprint and reduced real estate.
Paper recycling
All major SITA offices have paper recycling programmes and collection points in areas of high paper consumption. Provision is made for confidential documents to be collected securely and shredded. The paper collected is recycled via local organizations. SITA is implementing a policy of replacing individual office printers with network printers, reducing the amount of paper and consumables used, decreasing overall energy consumption.
Where adequate local recycling infrastructure exists, SITA offices have collection points for PET bottles to be recycled by local organizations.
Energy consumption
Wherever possible, SITA promotes the use of energy-saving lightbulbs, timers and motion-activated lighting in our offices and common areas. We also ensure that EnergyStar® equipment is used as standard.
Computer equipment
As part of the standard computer equipment package provided to our staff, we include EnergyStar® certified equipment to reduce our energy consumption. We monitor the energy used by our office equipment, and track and review it on a regular basis.
Additionally, as a supplier of IT equipment in support of our services, SITA always ensures compliance with the highest standards required for the disposal of equipment at end of life. In disposing of equipment and other material, SITA is environmentally aware and complies with local regulations and/or customer requirements. Wherever possible, equipment and/or parts are reused; SITA manages a used-components unit where equipment is refurbished, stored and distributed as required.
