Link Between Environment, Health and Safety Performance and Financial Results

For further information: Jack Giampalmi, (212) 339-0324
Delos Smith, (212) 339-0308

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release #1000A

SENIOR EXECUTIVES SEE LINK BETWEEN ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL RESULTS

An overwhelming majority of senior environmental, health and safety executives - nearly 80 percent - say their companies' global EH&S reputation among stakeholders will become more crucial to companies' bottom lines and future success in the next five years. Nearly 80 percent said that their corporation's commitment to sustainable development - linking environmental, economic, and social performance - will increase. Only 2 percent said these priorities will decrease. Senior executives were surveyed at The Conference Board's 1999 Conference on Environment, Health and Safety.

JOB SECURITY, PROFITS TO IMPROVE OR HOLD STEADY Executives had slightly more mixed responses when asked about their own job security. Twenty-eight percent said their job security is improving. Twenty-four percent said that their job security is deteriorating. Almost 50 percent said it was unchanged. Sixty percent of executives are confident that their companies' profits will increase in 1999, while 40 percent believe profits will stay the same or decline. According to Jack Giampalmi, Director of The Conference Board's Townley Global Management Center for Environment, Health & Safety: "Linking EH&S performance and financial results is becoming more important for companies to compete on a global basis." The survey also finds that more than 50 percent of executives feel the global environment is improving. About 48 percent said that global public health is also improving. Conversely, slightly more than 40 percent feel that global political stability is deteriorating.

For a copy of the survey results, call (212) 339-0232.