Our approach
Responsibility for CSR rests at the highest level within our organisation and encompasses all aspects of EHSS, business ethics and human resources.
The UN Global Compact
The UN Global Compact is a set of guidelines built around 10 universally accepted principles to help businesses meet best practice in the fields of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.
At Afren, we have reviewed our systems, using the UN Global Compact, to make sure we are meeting the highest possible performance in CSR. What’s more, we have distilled the ten principles into five key areas of focus.
- Environment. We place value on our relationship with the environment and strive constantly to interact respectfully with it by being mindful of its delicacy.
- Health and safety. We insist on high standards of performance to ensure our people remain safe and healthy.
- Social. We appreciate the opportunities to be gained from cooperation with local communities and strive to make connections and foster relationships with all of our stakeholders.
- Human resources. We reward performance and offer a progressive working environment and development opportunities for our employees. We will not tolerate discrimination of any sort.
- Business ethics. We conduct ourselves with integrity to ensure that every aspect of our business is operating to high standards of business ethics.
Environment
Treading lightly while taking big steps
We conduct Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies on all our operations – to highlight the potential impacts of our work and recommend steps to help minimise any significant impacts on the environment.
The studies feed directly into both the design of our production facilities and our environmental monitoring plans. Most recently, we carried out an EIA for our Ebok development project. This was done in collaboration with the Nigerian authorities who reviewed and approved the study. As the project progresses we will continue to monitor the drilling operation to make sure the environmental impact is kept to an absolute minimum.
We understand that our environmental responsibilities do not just lie with senior management. We align every member of our workforce and contractors with our environmental systems – through induction training both onshore and offshore and through the continual monitoring of performance.
We also have waste management and spill response plans in place to effectively manage these key environmental issues.
Health and safety
Caring for our people
Afren is pleased with its safety performance in 2009, with Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR) down on the 2008 in line with the industry benchmark for operations in Africa*, and with systems established in all our operations to effectively manage health and safety risks. But if there is even a single accident in a year, there is room for improvement. So we will continue through 2010 and beyond to thoroughly investigate all incidents – especially those that could cause severe injury or damage. There are always lessons to be learned from each incident, and we always make sure these lessons are clearly communicated throughout the business.
Social
Dedicated to investment in people
Afren has a strong track record of supporting community projects over the years – and 2009 was no exception. The wide range of social and economic development projects we support are all focused on education, health and employment. Crucially, we make sure we have an in-depth understanding of the needs of each local community before we put a programme in place. Programmes are then carefully designed so they have the maximum positive effect.
Human Resources
Our employees – a core asset
For any business to thrive, it needs a workforce that is committed to its strategic goals. This is why, at Afren, we invest in our people – making sure we find and attract diverse, high-calibre people to join us and that they are motivated
to stay.
As the business has grown, we have assembled an appropriately skilled and talented workforce across all areas of our business. We recruit the most suitable employees and – crucial for the success of our business – all recruitment is based purely on ability. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination in our workplace.
We work hard to maintain a positive work/ life balance – one that is built on a culture of openness, fairness and consistency across all our different locations. We provide training whenever it is needed alongside guidance and support to all employees – to make sure they have the best possible opportunities for continual professional development.
Business ethics - A responsible philosophy underpinning our business practices
Business ethics and human rights
At Afren, the highest ethical standards underpin all our work. We operate with integrity and honesty at all times throughout the organisation and with all stakeholders – from governments to business partners, shareholders to contractors and local communities. Our commitment to ethics and the standards
we maintain are set out in our Code of Business Conduct.
We treat all members of staff fairly and encourage diversity within our workforce. We offer equal opportunities at all times, alongside training and career progression. We give every employee the responsibility to challenge any activity that conflicts with our standards on business ethics.
Combating bribery and corruption
At Afren, transparency and fairness come first. That is why we included a whistle-blowing policy in our Code of Business Conduct that lets any employee raise concerns anonymously without threat of reprisal, should they suspect any wrongdoing within our organisation. We provided all employees with extensive training in the Code and its requirements in 2009.
Our financial control mechanisms are designed to ensure that payments and revenues are processed in a transparent manner. We also have an established Audit Committee that meets regularly and advises the Board on all matters of corporate governance.
If we find that someone has failed to comply with our Code of Conduct, we will take disciplinary action immediately.
This structure ensures a robust system of governance within Afren:
- CSR risks – as well as other key risks – are considered by the Afren Board as part of our business risk management system.
- The Audit Committee of the Board, chaired by Peter Bingham, on a regular basis reviews the business risk management system and the corporate risk matrix, highlighting areas for improvement to the main Board.
- The executive management team and line managers take responsibility for implementing CSR policies, supported by a team of environment and safety professionals.
“Protecting the environment starts with understanding the delicate balance of nature and what effect our actions could have.”
Andrew Olleveant – Group Head of EHSS
“Our goal is to ensure that Afren is effectively resourced with talented, skilled and motivated employees who are able to deliver business objectives to the highest standards.”
Jane Barker – Group Head of Human Resources
“We maintain the highest standard of ethics across all of our operations and encourage staff to raise concerns about any actions that contravene our Code of Business Conduct.”
Toby Hayward – Non-executive Director
