Sustaining growth

Sustainable development - meeting the growing needs of the present without compromising the possibilities of future generations - is at the heart of Yara's ambitions.

Yara is a chemical company that converts energy and nitrogen from the air into a range of useful industrial and agricultural products. The world’s largest mineral fertilizer company, we are dedicated to helping provide food to the world's growing population in the most effective and sustainable way. As a global company, this is more than a responsibility; it is also the key to building a sustainable business.

Plant nutrient products are essential to strengthen the fertility of farmland. Not only does this provide the higher yields of superior quality food that the world's growing population increasingly needs, it reduces the pressure to clear forested land, and so helps preserve the planet's green lungs. Simply put, agriculture is not sustainable without replacing the plant nutrients removed from the soil via crop production.

Responsibility is good business

Our business involves a strong commitment to dealing with key challenges affecting the world. These concerns relate to our research and our products - to sustainable agriculture, to environmental care in production and product applications, and to high and improving quality of operations.

We know, for example, that asthma is now the world's most common chronic childhood disease, and that greenhouse gases and climate change lead to both flooding and severe water losses - and we are working to tackle such challenges by developing industrial solutions that reduce emissions. We know that world food crops have tripled since 1961, and we are striving to help do this again, while conserving land reserves.

Corporate social responsibility is a tradition and an obligation for Yara, especially because it makes good business sense. Responsibility strengthens our brand, builds trust in the company and creates preference for Yara among all key stakeholders. It reduces our risk exposure, makes us more attractive as an employer – and makes us a better investment choice.

Safety first

Mineral fertilizers consist of naturally occurring plant nutrients and are environmentally benign products when correctly used. Environmental concerns arise through the irresponsible use of fertilizers, so Yara promotes responsible and correct use throughout the supply chain - "from mine to field" - to ensure minimal environmental impact and maximum customer benefit.

Yara's Product Stewardship Program aims to ensure that products are handled with care in all involved industries, including distributors and farmers, and this project is being extended to a global initiative.

Cleaner, energy efficient production processes also means a safer workplace. Production plants meet or exceed all environmental, safety and technical standards and regulations. Yara's target is to achieve an accident rate as close to zero as possible, and in 2006 had a lost-time injury (LTI) rate in line with international industry leaders. Employee care is a constantly ongoing process that also goes beyond safety measures, with programs to gauge worker satisfaction, and to help identify and develop their skills further.

Yara has also been awarded the "Best in Class" designation from Storebrand Investments, an honour for companies that meet the highest environmental and social standards within their industry.

Wider responsibility

This sense of corporate responsibility also extends outwards, and Yara aims to further develop its role in society as a driving force for sustainable development and good governance.

Yara is included on the FTSE4Good index in recognition of meeting globally accepted standards of corporate responsibility. In early 2006 Yara joined the UN Global Compact, committing itself to promote sustainable corporate practices in a number of areas.