Our sustainability project is developing in harmony and in accordance with the global principles of Agenda 2030.
The Sustainable Development Agenda
On 1 January 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit — officially came into force. Over the next fifteen years, with these new Goals that universally apply to all, countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.
The SDGs, also known as Global Goals, build on the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and aim to go further to end all forms of poverty. The new Goals are unique in that they call for action by all countries, poor, rich and middle-income to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and addresses a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection.
While the SDGs are not legally binding, governments are expected to take ownership and establish national frameworks for the achievement of the 17 Goals. Countries have the primary responsibility for follow-up and review of the progress made in implementing the Goals, which will require quality, accessible and timely data collection. Regional follow-up and review will be based on national-level analyses and contribute to follow-up and review at the global level.
[UN Web Services Section, Department of Public Information, United Nations]
Our commitment began in 2008, when we founded #Guidi4art to promote art and culture.
In 2018, we began working on a more complete project, with the creation of our much more widely ranging sustainability initiative, #Guidi4all, which comprises:
- actions to support art, culture and sport
- projects implemented for people and for the environment
- a commitment to promote, raise awareness and engage people regarding sustainable development
- actions, projects and plans for the improvement of the company
We are working to ensure that our message and commitment can make their own small contribution to:
- global development
- promoting human wellbeing
- protecting the environment
Here in the company, we have set high standards of quality and sustainability to be maintained in the processes we carry out. In 1996, we obtained the corporate quality certification ISO 9000, followed by the environmental certification ISO 14000 in 1998. These certifications are of fundamental importance to constantly improve production processes and life in the company, which are constantly monitored by external bodies.
Among our hallmark features is undoubtedly the company’s impressive reliability, a value that in our 50 years in business has made us one of the Italian nautical brands that commands the greatest respect. When designing our products, we take care to ensure their life cycle is increasingly sustainable. Each product is extremely durable, with excellent quality and function guaranteed, and maintains the physical and mechanical characteristics of the materials it is made of. Products require very little ordinary maintenance while in use. Because of how simple it is to separate the component parts at the disassembly stage, the life span of the materials can be extended beyond the duration of the individual components. At the end of their useful life, thanks to processes that allow for the creation of secondary raw materials, all the products are almost completely recyclable.
Research is being carried out in the company into the life cycle of the products, with a view to identifying any critical phases or problems connected with the environment. The data that emerge from these analyses will be used to make further pertinent improvements, from the design stage through to sale.
In 2010, we installed photovoltaic panels on the roof of the company, and today the solar energy they produce covers about 30% of our needs.
We recycle the water produced from the condensation of the compressors, mixing it with oil to cool the pieces in production. This emulsion of oil and water lubricates the pieces in production, so it captures the chips more effectively, and since it is not pure water, it does not cause rusting and corrosion of the machinery. The emulsion is then regularly disposed of as hazardous waste at the end of the process.
We have created an area with containers equipped on the inside for storing the spent oils ready for disposal, in order to keep the company premises tidy, clean and safe.
Safety training is provided continually in the company, with regular courses to provide updates and courses on the use of new equipment. Over the last few years, Guidi has invested heavily in new technologies and machinery, and we are proud of our record on accidents in the workplace: just one every five years on average.
We are aware of the importance of our role as a company, and we create internal and external communication projects with a view to improving working conditions, the service we deliver to customers and our relations with suppliers.
The social aspect is also important outside the company, and we support a variety of sport activities, local and international non-profit associations and projects linked to the local area.
The desire to share our knowledge and experience is also evident in our strenuous commitment to Nautica Italiana (*) and API (Association of Small and Medium Enterprises), whose efforts are geared towards sustainability, an issue dear to all members, to support the formation of consortia among companies that can then access funding at European or national level.
The aim is to promote dialogue with the institutions, businesses and credit institutes, in order to create economic incentives, tax relief and advantageous taxation conditions for companies in the sector wishing to invest in sustainability:
- certification of suppliers and sub-suppliers in the chain
- move towards sustainable practices and materials
- technology transfer
- training of skilled workers on sustainability issues
- creation of a fund to support the writing of projects to access EU tenders
This is merely a general overview of our plan of action for people, the planet and prosperity. For anyone curious and interested in finding out more, here on the website of our Journal we provide details of everything, of every little step we take.
