We aim to provide a safe and healthy workplace for employees. In all our activities we seek to minimize our use of natural resources and the production of waste.

High goals, constant effort and a strong focus throughout the organization define Syngenta’s Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) performance. Our global policy translates to commitments and objectives at global, regional and local level, while measurable HSE goals are incorporated into all managers’ accountabilities.

In 2003, Syngenta implemented a company-wide external audit program to supplement our internal audit program. In 2004 we intend to introduce risk profiling at all our manufacturing sites.

Safety
It is with sadness that we report the death of one of our employees in Asia, in a vehicle accident while on company business. Overall there has been a significant improvement in lost time and recordable incidents (15 per cent and 20 per cent reduction respectively).

Syngenta’s safety data conforms to US Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.

Occupational health
Our carefully planned occupational health initiatives aim to minimize work-related illnesses and enhance performance by improving the health and well being of our employees. In 2003, in response to a rise in stress at work, we initiated stress prevention programs to encourage a more balanced lifestyle and increase health awareness.

Environment
Every manufacturing site has programs in place to enhance environmental performance, and monitor and minimize waste and emissions.

The focus of our environmental initiatives in 2004 will be to identify efficiency improvements that can reduce waste production and consumption of energy. Reduction plans will be in place by 2005.

1 These data exclude emissions from externally supplied energy 2 Excluding carbon dioxide 3 Corrected data from 2002

Air emissions
Our chemical manufacturing operations emit a range of substances to the air, including nitrous oxides (NOx), particulates (very small particles) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs – substances containing contain carbon which evaporate easily). Emissions of these substances decreased by 16 per cent compared to 2002.

Carbon dioxide emissions decreased by 22 per cent to 348,402 tonnes. This is mainly associated with site rationalization. Carbon dioxide might be considered to contribute to climate change and global warming. Our objectives to improve energy efficiency are the first step in addressing this.

3 Corrected data from 2002

Energy
Our energy consumption decreased by 16 per cent, in part associated with site rationalization. We expect to reduce this further in coming years, reducing cost and carbon dioxide emissions.

Waste
Syngenta’s wastes increased by 14,000 tonnes. This was largely due to inert waste from demolition, disposal of off-specification products and an increase in the incineration of waste effluent streams. We monitor and assess off-site waste disposal by using internationally agreed methods in cooperation with regulatory authorities.

Effluents
Effluents – water-borne wastes – produced by our manufacturing sites are released under permit after treatment. In 2003, our effluents increased by approximately one per cent, exclusively due to soluble salts discharged from one of our sites. We continuously investigate ways to reduce waste in effluent streams.