Delivering social value is fundamental to everything we do. We are committed to contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society as we build a low-carbon world, ensuring our planet is protected for future generations.
Vital have always had a strong commitment to social value, recognising the wider benefits of economic, social and environmental wellbeing and delivering value that goes beyond the implementation of our energy solutions, and towards making a real impact on people's lives. Our Net Zero commitment isn't just about cutting carbon, it's about playing our part to ensure the whole of society - our employees, our suppliers, local communities, school children, disenfranchised groups - benefit from the transition to Net Zero.
Protecting our planet is paramount, but protecting our staff is the first step, creating a working environment where all of our colleagues feel valued and supported. We're proud of the many ways that we've done this, including the development of an internal engagement and communications platform (Knowledge Hub), breakfast briefings to bring the company together and employee awards to recognise staff achievements, to name but a few. We even have an on-site gym for our staff at our Blackburn HQ, which includes breakout areas to relax in, or use as an informal meeting space. We also have a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme that gives staff access to confidential support 24/7, counselling sessions and mental health support.
Vital has a wide range of stakeholders who are key to our success. We recognise the importance of open and inclusive relationships in supporting our goals to deliver environmental and social gains that benefit society, and in successfully managing sometimes conflicting priorities. We are currently in the process of carrying out a materiality assessment so that we can further understand what is important to our stakeholders.
Ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees, contractors and members of the public is our top priority. Our company-wide ISO 45001 Health & Safety Management System covers all of our sites. Our SHEQ team carries out regular inspections and provides "Toolbox Talks" on topics such as health & safety law, quality, environmental management and energy conservation. The SHEQ team also engages with the supply chain through annual workshops, sharing knowledge and best practice.
We support the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. We comply with all applicable human rights and labour laws, including the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The actions we have both taken and identified for future improvement are laid out in our Annual Modern Slavery Statement. We are committed to a fair and just transition to a Net Zero future where we create and share value with our stakeholders and wider society. Our business strategy is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and we have analysed the impact our business could have, both positive and negative, on all 17 Goals.
