The new status validated by the shareholders enjoins the French group to go beyond the search for profitability by pursuing ESG objectives.
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Danone shareholders approved more than 99% Friday the adoption by the food giant of the status of “mission company” which enjoins it to go beyond the search for profitability by pursuing “social, societal objectives and environmental ”.
“It’s a plebiscite, thank you, a huge thank you,” reacted the CEO of the group Emmanuel Faber, before the 99.42% approval.
The shareholders had voted remotely for the general meeting which was held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was broadcast live on the internet.
“Few of us a few months ago would have imagined that your support was almost unanimous. You have just unbolted a statue of Milton Friedman (American economist considered one of the fathers of neoliberalism, editor’s note). It may worry some, but they can be reassured that there are still many, “added Emmanuel Faber.
“This decision will set a precedent,” he said.
The concept of “mission-oriented company”, introduced by the Growth Pact law promulgated a year ago, allows a commercial enterprise to integrate social and environmental objectives into its statutes to which it will devote resources and monitoring.
Emmanuel Faber had announced on May 20 that this development would be subject to the vote of the shareholders of the company listed on the CAC40 index of the Paris Bourse.
In its statutes, Danone therefore incorporates into its “profitable and sustainable growth model” the objectives of “improving health”, in particular “through a portfolio of healthier products”, “preserving the planet and renewing its resources”, or to better involve the employees in the decisions of the company.
During the general assembly, Mr. Faber presented the nine members of the mission committee set up to monitor the execution of these objectives, referring to a “dream team”, an “incredible group of people”.
In particular, alongside a Danone employee, Emma Lahmer, the former director general of the WTO Pascal Lamy and the former finance minister of Nigeria, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, currently president of the Global Alliance for vaccines and vaccinations (Gavi).
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