Migros's strong Partners

Switzerland's largest retailer and private employer is in touch with numerous stakeholder groups. Apart from customers and employees, these include business partners, the media, social partners, public authorities and non-governmental organisations, among others. Migros is committed to communicating its environmental and social policies openly and transparently. Migros is interested in other people's views and tries as far as possible to accommodate legitimate interests. At the same time, Migros aims to generate understanding of its own concerns. Migros has concluded some longer-term cooperation agreements with various organisations on matters such as the responsible sourcing of products and environmental protection, and in social partnership. Migros has a strategic partnership with the WWF and is committed to public health as part of actionsanté.

Partnerships with the WWF

Of particular significance for Migros is its strategic partnership with the WWF, which the two organisations entered into against a background of already established contacts in the WWF groups: FSC wood, climate protection and sustainable fishing (see table below). As the exclusive sponsor, Migros has supported all the children and youth programmes of the environmental organisation, including the Pandamobil, since the beginning of 2009. Last year, projects for children, biodiversity and the climate were the focus of the joint activities. In Oceanmania, the two partners want to introduce the unique species of the world's oceans to young people. The sale of scrapbooks for marine diversity raised about half a million francs for the protection of the oceans. The retailer also took part in the KlimaZmittag national action day. All M-Restaurants offer a climate-friendly menu. In addition, Migros also took part in campaigns of the WWF and other organisations, and contributed to biodiversity with specific actions.

Cooperation with IP-Suisse and Swiss Ornithological Institute

Under the TerraSuisse label, Migros cooperates as a partner with IP-Suisse, the association of Swiss integrated production farmers. These farmers provide additional services in the area of animal welfare and biodiversity. In turn, Migros provides IP farmers with part of the costs for nature measures. Also on board is the Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach, which supported IP-Suisse in developing the label guidelines on biodiversity. With the IP-Suisse partner, Migros is building a bridge between farmers and consumers. Compensation for additional services is directly negotiated with the farming organisations.

Commitments

BSCI
The BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) is an international non-profit organisation with more than 600 affiliated companies. It was established in 2002 to improve the social conditions along the supply chain and has set up a globally recognised code of conduct to this end. As a member of the BSCI, Migros has committed its suppliers to observing this code since 2004.

Global Compact
Migros joined Global Compact in 2006. This global initiative, launched by the United Nations, embraces 10 principles aimed at promoting good corporate management. Global Compact's goal is the promotion of corporate social responsibility and the creation of a fairer and more sustainable global economy.

CO2 target agreements
Migros has collaborated closely with the Energy Agency EnAW to develop binding and federally approved targets to save carbon and energy, which it already exceeded in 2010. Target agreements are part of the voluntary measures under the Energy Act as well as the CO2 Act of the Swiss Confederation. Businesses entering into target agreements can be exempt from the carbon tax.

actionsanté
The Federal Office of Public Health launched the actionsanté initiative as part of a national diet and exercise programme in 2009. Thanks to the cooperation of Federal Government and business, an environment is to be created for the population that promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Memberships

In the area of sustainability, Migros is represented in numerous organisations and contributes to many initiatives. A selection.

GSCP
The Global Social Compliance Programme (GSCP) is an initiative from Migros to bring more transparency to the variety of global standards. The aim is for social and ecological improvements to be implemented in the value-added chain more efficiently.

The Consumer Goods Forum
The  Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) is a globally active and jointly managed network of the consumer goods sector. It brings together managing directors and executives of some 650 commercial and industrial companies and their stakeholders from more than 70 countries. The CGF is a platform to discuss joint topics and issues, from food safety to logistics and IT through to environmental issues.

IG DHS
The Swiss retail stakeholder group is committed to the concerns of the sector in politics and the public. The core topics of IG DHS are the reduction of price-driving obstacles to trade, a fair VAT reform, the optimisation of opening hours, and solutions in partnership in the areas of littering and recycling.

IGAS
The stakeholder group Agrarstandort Schweiz is a major platform for farmers, consumer groups, retailers and food manufacturers. Its aim is an optimum agricultural treaty between Switzerland and the EU that strengthens the entire value-added chain.

Swiss mountain products stakeholder group
Established at the initiative of Migros, the stakeholder group cooperates closely with representatives of mountain areas. Its goal is to promote sales of Swiss mountain products in the long term. It also gives the annual award for innovative mountain agriculture, where a special project from mountain agriculture is chosen. In 2010 the award went to a joint stable for goats and sheep, where solar power has been installed on the roof.

Energie-Trialog Schweiz
The association aims to develop sustainable energy policy with a long-term orientation. Innovative solutions in the area of energy should contribute to the competitiveness of the Swiss economy and thereby secure quality of life.

espace.mobilité
espace.mobilité is a stakeholder group of leading Swiss companies in the retail sector. As a member of this group, Migros makes regular solution-oriented contributions to mobility issues in urban and regional planning, traffic and environmental policy.

WWF Climate Group
Migros has been a member of the WWF Climate Group since 2007. The affiliated companies are committed to binding climate protection targets in respect of the WWF.

WWF Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN)
The GFTN (successor organisation of the WWF Wood Group) is a group of companies committed to promoting responsible forest management, conserving biodiversity and putting an end to illegal logging.

WWF Seafood Group
Migros has been a member of this WWF group since 2008. Its aim is to achieve sustainable fishing. The members are committed to removing endangered fish from their range and promoting the MSC label (Marine Stewardship Council).

ÖBU
The ÖBU is a think tank for sustainability and management topics. Some 300 Swiss companies of varying sizes and from different backgrounds have joined the ÖBU network.

PUSCH
The Practical Environmental Protection Switzerland Foundation (PUSCH) is mainly committed to waste issues. Last year, Migros supported a touring exhibition of the foundation, which encourages sensible use of resources.

PRS
The PET Recycling Switzerland Association organises the collection of PET drink bottles in the nationwide disposal network. The aim is to reach a recycling rate set by the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (UVEK) (currently 75%).

IGORA
The stakeholder group for the recycling of aluminium tins is committed to an optimum collection and recycling system in cooperation with municipalities, retail, potential recyclables trading and the processing centres.

SENS
The Swiss Disposal Foundation is an independent, neutral and charitable institution. Its aim is to promote privately organised disposal solutions, assure quality for environmentally friendly disposal, optimise logistics systems and finance the services competitively.