Sustainability
Sustainability Report
The Sustainability Report, prepared according to the standards of the 'Global Reporting Initiatives,' transparently communicates CLAI 's commitment and achievements in the environmental, social and economic spheres.
Among the main initiatives put in place are, the use of biogas and tri-generation cogeneration plants to produce clean energy while reducing waste, reforestation projects and redevelopment of green areas and historic structures, to benefit the local area.
Finally, on the social front, the focus on the community translates into partnerships with the Food Bank for meal distribution, cancer screenings and donations.
The president's letter to stakeholders
"Any business of any sector or size cannot look only at numbers," stresses Giovanni Bettini, president, CLAI . "One must keep in mind that a business is always embedded in a larger social, territorial and environmental context, which it must help protect and strengthen.
This must be done especially for our young people: there is a generational pact with them that must be safeguarded at all costs. CLAI since its inception has been committed to conscious growth, which therefore carefully considers the consequences, at whatever level of analysis, of all its activities.
We are convinced that there is real development only by putting the "person" at the center of one's value plan. Our employees and members are well aware that every decision made at CLAI takes into account first and foremost the effects there may be on their well-being and that of the environment and the community that hosts us.
Through the Sustainability Report we wish to make known the commitment, time and passion we devote daily not only to making good, quality products, but also to contributing in our own small way to building a better world; healthier, more beautiful and hospitable."
The cogeneration and trigeneration plants
In 2012, CLAI activated three photovoltaic plants capable of producing about 220 thousand kilowatt-hours of energy, along with a biogas cogeneration plant at the Sasso Morelli plant, which generates about eight million kilowatt-hours per year.
This plant uses slaughtering by-products and livestock slurry, reducing waste and optimizing resources.In 2021, a high-efficiency cogeneration plant powered by methane gas, with a capacity of about 851 kilowatts, was installed inside the Faenza plant.
In 2023, a trigeneration plant was introduced in Sasso Morelli, allowing energy production for refrigeration and air conditioning as well, thus improving overall energy efficiency.
The interventions at Villa la Babina and the reforestation work
In 1999, CLAI acquired Villa La Babina and the surrounding park, initiating a conservative restoration of the 18th-century villa, transforming it into the Cooperative's Management Center.
In subsequent years, various interventions were undertaken on the park, with the aim of restoring it to its former majesty.
The success of these works led, among other things, to the park's inclusion in the Great Italian Gardens circuit, making it the centerpiece of important local cultural initiatives.
In 2023, this pathway was further enriched with significant reforestation work: 3,140 plants were planted on 62,000 square meters, including native trees and shrubs of great environmental value
A good product that does good
How many times has this approach been proposed that tells and concretizes a widespread feeling among all men CLAI.
The idea of seeing in the result of their activity not only a "good" product to bring to the tables of consumers, but the realization of a set of social, solidarity and environmental actions to protect and support the Community. With the ANT Foundation, a collaboration was activated that led to the implementation of cancer prevention screenings for both employees and citizens of the City of Bologna.
Still on the subject of health, on the occasion of CLAI 's 60th birthday in March 2022, CLAI wanted to consolidate its commitment to the community with the donation of an ambulance to the 118 Territorial Emergency Service of the Imola Ausl. A strong and long-established partnership is with the Food Bank, through which food is donated to people in need through affiliated charitable facilities.
The total number of meals donated by the Imola Cooperative in five years of cooperation has reached the extraordinary and symbolic quota of one million.
CLAI and Sports
CLAI has always believed in the value of sports as a tool for growth, development and aggregation. The first sports field was women's volleyball, founded in Imola by a founding member of CLAI.
Founded in 1969, Polisportiva Csi CLAI Imola has always promoted women's youth volleyball as a training tool for the growth of female athletes and for the transmission of values of collaboration and cooperation. Since 2022, in order to offer the entire community of Imola and its surroundings the opportunity to get closer to sports, "Clai & Friends" was born, a collaboration that combines volleyball, handball and rugby.