Including the final action days in Kvasiny, Mladá Boleslav and Benátky nad Jizerou, another 59,674 new trees were planted in selected regions of the Czech Republic in this, the seventh year of the programme. This record number is equal to the number of ŠKODA vehicles sold in the Czech Republic in 2012. Since the start of ŠKODA’s environmental programme in 2007, 423,000 trees have been planted in the country.
“Through our environmental programme, and thanks to our record sales figures in 2012, more new trees have been planted this year in the Czech Republic than ever before. We are pleased that we have been able to make our country that little bit greener,” says ŠKODA Board Member for HR, Bohdan Wojnar. “Every single tree contributes to the restoration of our landscapes and is a symbol of the ŠKODA brand’s success. It is particularly encouraging to see our employees getting involved. The project demonstrates our environmental responsibility,” he adds.
From the very beginning, the employees have actively participated in planting the trees. They have helped in finding suitable land, proposing reforestation areas, and have been actively engaged in planting each new tree by hand. Actively getting involved strengthens the employees’ relationship to the places where they live and work, and this has been an important goal from the start of the programme.
The 59,674 new trees in 2013 come to the benefit of towns and communities throughout the Czech Republic. One focus is on regions where ŠKODA has its production sites. New places for planting are selected in collaboration with long-standing partners each year. This year, the manufacturer has worked with a total of 25 communities and non-profit organizations. Seven of which took part for the first time.
The environmental programme is an integral part of the Czech car manufacturer’s broad social commitment in their home market. The focal points are in the areas of social welfare, environmental protection, culture and sports. Corporate Social Responsibility, or CSR, is far more than just a buzz-phrase for ŠKODA, and is actively put into practice and targeted in numerous activities and projects: In the area of children and youth in the Czech Republic, the company supports the Tereza Maxová Foundation, in addition to the ‘Centrum Paraple’ and the ‘Medical Clowns’ project. Furthermore, ŠKODA AUTO is committed to traffic safety and has for many years supported the ‘City Roads’ programme. Another focus has been on continuing the commitment to people with disabilities, which includes supporting the Czech Paralympic Committee, as well as the ŠKODA AUTO Handy programme which has the improved mobility of handicapped people written on the flags.
Furthermore, ŠKODA AUTO is also committed to enhancing the attractiveness of technical education at schools and, with its own vocational school and university, is among the most eminent training companies in the country. Additionally, ŠKODA provides support as one of the biggest sponsors of cultural events in the Czech Republic: with partners including the Czech Philharmonic, the Prague National Theatre and the National Museum of Technology. The carmaker also supports selected cultural events, such as the classical music festival Smetanova Litomyšl and the International Children's and Youth Film Festival in Zlín.
From children's road safety campaigns and supporting infrastructure and culture, to the 423,000 trees now planted: In recognition of ŠKODA’s full commitment to the locations of Vrchlabí and Rychnov nad Kněžnou/Kvasiny, ŠKODA AUTO received the special corporate award ‘Best business location’ (City for Business) a few days ago.