From its inception, PKN ORLEN has engaged in external initiatives promoting sustainable development.
In December 2003, PKN ORLEN joined Global Compact, an initiative proposed by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. We declared that we would work to advance the organisation's principles in the areas of human rights, labour standards, environment, and anti-corruption efforts.
Since 2016, the ORLEN Group has been involved in the implementation of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals at its companies and in the broader energy sector. In 2017, PKN ORLEN was among the signatories of the ‘Partnership for Sustainable Development Goals’ in Poland.
Since 2017, PKN ORLEN has been supporting the activities of the Polish Economic Security Foundation. One of the Foundation's objectives is to ensure the functioning of the Polish Economic Security Consortium of businesses and scientific centres, serving as a platform for networking science with business, as well as business support institutions and public administration.
Another project we participate in is Responsible Care. This global initiative brings together chemical manufacturing companies to improve their health, safety and environment performance (the so called HSE triad), as well as to share information about their activities. PKN ORLEN has participated in Responsible Care since 1997, when the programme was adopted by the Company's legal predecessor. In the following years, it was joined by other ORLEN Group companies: ANWIL, Inowrocławskie Kopalnie Soli Solino, Basell Orlen Polyolefins, and ORLEN Południe.
Given the global and consumer trends, CSR strategies must not only respond to the current challenges but also anticipate them. One of such proactive initiatives was the signing of ‘Declaration on Sustainable Development in the Energy Sector’ by energy companies. PKN ORLEN adopted the Declaration in 2010. The signatories acknowledge that “...the joint efforts should focus on following and promoting the concept of sustainable development.” Such initiatives by energy companies help create shared value and contribute to solving important social problems.
Another milestone event was PKN ORLEN's signing of the ‘Declaration of Polish Businesses for Sustainable Development’ in 2014. By doing so, the Company joined the group of companies supporting the ‘Vision of Sustainable Development of Polish Businesses until 2050’. The document draws on the international initiative of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. The project brings together Polish businesses to deliver sustainable development and defines the key challenges and priorities in which enterprises are expected to support social and economic changes.
Since 2015, PKN ORLEN and ORLEN Eko have been active members of the Sustainable Development Committee at the Polish Chamber of Chemical Industry. During the 2015 Polish Chemical Industry Congress, PKN ORLEN signed the ‘Declaration of Support to the Sustainable Development Concept in Chemical Industry’. In the document, the signatories wrote: “Aware of the role the chemical industry plays in modern economies and the effect it has on development of other industries, we want to ensure that our actions and initiatives actively support delivery of sustainable development.”
PKN ORLEN is also a member of the global Fair Trade social movement. Since 2008, Stop Cafes and Stop Cafe Bistros have been selling Fair Trade coffee only. The Fair Trade system of certification and labelling is used for products made in accordance with the principles of fair trade. The movement relies on market approach to help producers in developing countries and to promote sustainability. Advocating a sustainable lifestyle and raising consumer awareness lie at the core of the Fair Trade concept.
Organisations and associations
PKN ORLEN's representatives participate in a number of various associations and organisations. Membership of these bodies is a vital component of PKN ORLEN's presence on the Polish and European economic and social arena.
Being part of these organisations and associations, PKN ORLEN has access to knowledge and information about draft regulations for the fuel and power sectors in Poland and Europe, can easily learn about technical solutions and findings of research carried out in other countries, and has an opportunity to share its knowledge and gain new experience. Through these organisations, in particular those that bring together employers or promote CSR ideas, PKN ORLEN builds stable relations with its environment.
Organisations and associations of which PKN ORLEN was a member in 2017
- European Energy Forum
- European Petroleum Refiners Association (formerly CONCAWE)
- Responsible Business Forum
- General Contract of Use for wagons (GCU Bureau)
- Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (EPO/EPI)
- Polish Chamber of Industrial Power and Energy onsumers
- PIPC/Chemeko – Responsibility and Care Programme
- Polish Chamber of Chemical Industry
- Polish Organisation of Oil Indsutry and Trade
- Polish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform
- Polish Member Committee of the World Energy Council
- Polish ISO 9000 Forum
- The Polish Wind Energy Association (PSEW)
- Polish Association of Public Opinion and Marketing Research Firms
- 'Private Train Wagon's Association
- Polish Association of Listed Companies
- Polish Association of Chemical Engineers
- Polish Association of Oil and Gas Industry Engineers and Technicians (SITPNiG)
- Association of Oil Industry Workers in Płock
- Association of Polish Inventors and Innovators
- TechBrainers R&D Club
- Association of Energy Trading
- The European Petrochemical Association (EPCA)
- UN Global Compact
- World Petroleum Council – Polish National Committee of the World Petroleum Council
- Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers
Selected organisations and associations of which other ORLEN Group companies were members in 2017
- Association of Chemical Industry of the Czech Republic
- Association of Czech Testing Institutes and Laboratories
- Association of Freight Railway Transporters
- Association of Holders and Operators of Rail Wagons
- Association of European producers of sulfuric acid
- Bio-based Industries Consortium
- Chamber of Commerce of Czech Republic
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
- Club of Polish Capital in the Czech Republic
- Czech Association of Cleaning Stations
- Czech Association of Operators of Local Distribution Networks
- Czech Association of Petroleum Industry and Trade (CAPPO)
- Czech Mechanical Engineering Society (expert section tribotechnology)
- Czech Membrane Platform
- Czech Hydrogen Association
- ČNI – Technical Standards Commission 131 – Plastic piping systems
- European Association of Chlor Producers
- The Association of European Candle Makers
- Fertilizers Europe
- Polish Salt Foundation
- Investors’ Forum
- Izba Gospodarcza Gazownictwa
- Land Transport Commercial Chamber
- Lithuanian Business Confederation
- Polish Chamber of the Road Engineering Industry
- The Polish National Chamber of Biofuels
- Plastic Platform
- Polish Economic Chamber of Electrotechnics
- Polish Chamber of Security
- Polish Road Congress
- Polish-Romanian Bilateral Chamber of Commerce
- SGP Standard
- Sustainable Chemistry Platform
- Šiauliai Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts
- Union of Industry and Transport
- European Biomass Industry Association
- Włocławek Ecological Education Centre