ABB faces human rights challenges in the course of doing business. Understanding the dilemmas and taking measures to prevent abuses or complicity are essential to tackling these challenges. The Group is gaining a greater understanding of its responsibilities, and of the opportunities as well as the risks.
The Group continued to address human rights issues in key business decision-making processes in 2008. These issues are now included in the risk review that accompanies every major project, in the evaluation of potential and current suppliers, and in a checklist for potential acquisitions.
ABB seeks to be a force for good in the communities where it operates and for society as a whole. One element of its core business – the provision of electrical power – gives people better access to human rights such as health care, education and housing. Still, the benefits and disadvantages of each project need to be carefully weighed.
Besides working to improve its own performance, ABB actively supports international initiatives, such as the UN Global Compact and the Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights, to strengthen business understanding of human rights issues and best practice.