To shape the future, we must learn from our past. So why don’t we? Twenty years ago, we saw the emerging AIDS epidemic and now we witness the devastating consequences of not dealing with the issue in time. Today, we see the pandemic growth of diabetes. I urge that we do not just read the statistics, but that we begin to really understand what they mean.

There is a clear link from the CEOs at the World Economic Forum to the NGOs of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, from the long-awaited decision of today’s political leaders to enlarge the European Union and to the future
generation’s vision of a society based on trust, transparency, shared values and  partnerships. What unites these events is that they have been driven by a wish for a more sustainable future.

If we are to begin to make this vision come true, business, too, has a role to play. We can generate wealth that can improve quality of life, and not jeopardise the planet. I believe that corporations – big and small – can bring into play their collective creativity and expertise to help solve issues of social injustice and inequality. Two things keep us focused: our commitment to make a difference and our pursuit of a profitable and sustainable business.

Commitment, action and shared visions – that, to me, is the investment each of us must make to shape sustainable development. Indifference is no longer an option. Against a backdrop of uncertainty and erosion of trust in business and governments there is all the more reason for making an effort to demonstrate long-term investment and unfaltering dedication.We must trust that there is a better future for all, and we must
take action to make it happen.

In our vision of sustainability, corporate commitment is aligned with personal values. To meet the world’s immense social and environmental challenges, each of us needs to step on to the scene. More than doing good, we want to do well.

Doing well takes a long-term commitment and a willingness to invest in the future. More than ever, it is time to take action.

In this past year, not only our company’s values were put to a test. So was our ability to deliver a healthy return on investment to our shareholders. Sales were lower than expected in the first quarter of the year, a suspension of the clinical trials of a new diabetes medicine and other adverse events put increased pressure on the company’s performance and ability to deliver. Yet, we have not compromised our values, nor our commitment to integrating the Triple Bottom Line as our way of doing business.

Defeating diabetes is not just a business proposition – diabetes is a huge individual and societal problem, the consequences of which the world’s leaders are only beginning to understand. As a company we deal with the rapidly growing epidemic of diabetes. We cannot solve the enormous problems of hunger, we cannot overcome illiteracy, or provide housing, sanitation or decently paid work to everyone. But what we can do is to acknowledge these factors and identify where and how we can make a difference. In our efforts to help provide better healthcare, whether in rich countries or in the developing world, we believe that we can make a very significant contribution.

We also believe that it is possible to balance business concerns with those of our stakeholders. In Novo Nordisk we have chosen to frame this as the Triple Bottom Line – social and environmental responsibility and economic viability. Building on our performance, programmes in place and people commitment, our next challenge is to embed this approach fully in the way we do business. That is our focus for the future. With backing from the Board of Directors through to the shop-floor management, more than 18,000 committed Novo Nordisk employees will help put our values into actions.

The path to sustainability isn’t smooth, and our destination is not just around the corner. Still, we see no other way. Let’s walk it together.

Lars Rebien Sørensen
President and CEO

This report is prepared in accordance with GRI’s 2002 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. It represents a balanced and reasonable presentation of our company’s social, environmental and economic performance.