The protection of biodiversity is of primary importance for sustainable industrial development. Striking a balance between human activity and the surrounding nature is fundamental to preserving ecological wealth. The Group’s responsibility is even greater in cases where plants are located in or near protected areas or areas of high biodiversity value.
It is for this reason that the Group is working with the Department of Animal and Human Biology at the University of Turin (Italy) to formulate specific guidelines and define the Fiat Group Biodiversity Value Index by the end of 2010, to better understand and safeguard protected species and biodiversity. Application of the guidelines is planned for 2011.

 
⁽¹⁾A protected area is a geographically defined area that is designated, regulated or managed to achieve specific conservation objectives. An area of high biodiversity value is an area that is not subject to legal protection but recognised for important biodiversity features by a number of governmental and non-governmental organisations.




⁽²⁾Water sources are regarded as significantly affected by water withdrawals and/or discharges if they are designated protected areas or have high biodiversity value, or if the withdrawals and/or discharges of water account for more than 5% of the average annual volume of the water body concerned. Only surface water has been taken into account