Geely gains credit for its efforts in CSR

Global Times - On January 4, Ruder Finn, a leading independent communications agency, and Tsinghua University, one of China's most renowned universities, jointly released the Corporate Social Responsibility Index (CSRI) Report. The report shows that Geely Automobile, China's first privately run auto company, ranks the first among China's self-owned brands in terms of CSRI, which is an honor to affirm Geely's years of dedication to the development of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The report is one of the major achievements of Tsinghua-Ruder Finn CSR research project, among which a consumer-oriented evaluation system of CSR was applied, and the research was carried out mainly from the perspective of a consumer. According to the survey, 92 percent of the surveyed observed that a car maker's performance in CSR plays a "very important" or "relatively important" role in building a strong brand; 25 percent of respondents said that CSR will be the highest item on their priority lists when they buy a new car, and only 3.7 percent of all respondents put that they have never given a thought to CSR. It also shows in the report that social medium has played a more and more important role in spreading the information on CSR, and one essential motive of the public taking part in "word of mouth" marketing is to shape sound CSR practice. So auto makers should also strengthen and engage more in cause marketing in CSR practice.

The project provides the public with necessary information for them to learn more about automobile enterprises' CSR. With a clear direction of social responsibility, Geely will constantly bear a deep sense of social responsibility in mind and perfect its system and practice for social good as well as raise its staff's awareness of social responsibility.

Li Shufu, the founder and current Chairman of Geely Automobile, once said, "An enterprise without a sense of social responsibility will be kicked out of the market sooner or later, and it can never achieve sustainability". The automaker has spared no efforts in shouldering its social responsibility and giving something back to society since its establishment 26 years ago.

In terms of business economy and responsibility for environmental protection, Geely adheres to its mission of "Making the safest, most environmental-friendly and energy-efficient cars". Based on the innovation of automobile safety and environmental protection technology, the car maker engages in accelerating energy conservation and emission reduction, development and application of in-car air purification technique, which relieves the pressure of transportation environmental protection by applying "diversified" new energy technologies. As to talent training and education, relying on "Li Shufu Education Assistance Foundation" assistance education plan, the company set up a special fund to help needy students enter the campus and left-behind children get early education. With respect to charitable donation, Geely actively participates in pro bono activities such as disaster relief and charitable donation. Over the years, the manufacturer has donated nearly 400 million yuan in charitable activities, and its staff members have insisted on taking part in voluntary labor, blood donation and other public activities. As for culture sponsorship, under the guidance of Li's strategic thought of "constructing global corporate culture", Geely is in support of letting Chinese culture go abroad and strengthening the communication and integration with different cultures.

Geely's major public activities:

In 2005, "Geely Fund for Future Talents" was set up to help poor students from old revolutionary base areas and ethnic-minority regions attend Zhejiang Geely Technician College, thus helping them find employment in Geely after graduation.

On June 5, 2006, China Education Foundation came into existence, to which Geely donated 50 million yuan for setting up "China Education Development Foundation - Geely Special Project Office for Education Assistance". The project aims to help 1,000 needy students who are excellent in both character and learning throughout the country to go to college for the next 4-5 years.

In March 2008, Geely donated 1 million yuan to southern China struck by harsh snowstorms for ice removal and post-disaster reconstruction. In May, a devastating earthquake struck Wenchuan County of Sichuan Province, Geely, together with its dealers, suppliers and staff members, immediately organized a range of rescues and made its first donation worth 16 million yuan.

On August 19, 2009, Taiwan was heavily damaged by Typhoon Morakot, which caused great losses to the compatriots across the strait. Geely made the first donation of 1 million yuan through Zhejiang Province Charity Federation for Taiwan's post-disaster reconstruction.

On April 14, 2010, Geely donated 22 million yuan to disaster-stricken areas in Yushu of Qinghai Province through the China Charity Federation. In August, it donated 1 million yuan to the disaster areas in Zhouqu to facilitate disaster relief and reconstruction work.

In June 2010, Geely, joining hands with Beijing Geely University, allocated 30 million yuan to set up "Campus-based Venture Fund" aims at aiding college students to start their own business.

In 2010, Geely donated 3.5 million yuan to Jingning Vocational High School and kindergartens in Daji villiage, and promised that all the students in this school would secure a job upon their graduation. It is reported that Jingning is the only poverty-striken county in Zhejiang province.

In September 2011, the 8th National Para Games was held in Zhejiang Province, Geely offered a set of financial and material support to the pageant. And on September 5, Geely delivered 20 Emgrands to show its support for the event.

In September 2011, Geely, together with Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra, gave touring performances in six European countries.

In 2012, Geely Holding group attended the "Warm Spring Festival 2012" charity party in the name of "Zhejiang Li Shufu Education Assistance Foundation" and donated 1 million yuan to carry out "Pro-bono Program of Country Village Preschool and Kindergarten".

In 2012, Li Shufu submitted during CPC&CPPCC Sessions 2012 a Proposal on Improving In-vehicle Air Quality and Preventing In-vehicle Environmental Pollution calling for strengthening in-car air quality regulation.

In August 2012, Geely signed a strategic agreement with the CPC youth chorus.