Sustainability and corporate responsibility

Sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are key issues in the modern business world that are becoming increasingly important. Companies are increasingly responsible not only for pursuing economic goals, but also for taking social and environmental aspects into account.

The relevance of these issues for companies is reflected in the need to comply with legal requirements, gain the trust of customers and investors, and remain competitive in the long term. Sustainability and CSR serve as a foundation by providing a framework for ethical conduct and long-term strategies.

This page provides a comprehensive overview of the importance of sustainability and CSR for companies and presents various relevant aspects and initiatives. The following topics are covered, including corporate social responsibility, sustainable supply chains, life cycle assessments, environmental product declarations, corporate and product carbon footprints, energy audits, EcoVadis assessments, and the Aluminium Stewardship and ResponsibleSteel initiatives.

ESG Rating

ESG ratings serve as a benchmark for assessing companies’ sustainability performance in the areas of environment, social issues, and corporate governance.

They provide investors, partners, and stakeholders with important insights into a company’s sustainability focus and help them make informed decisions.

By taking ESG criteria into account, companies can better manage their risks, strengthen their reputation, and ensure long-term competitiveness.

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Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Sustainability and CSR are essential foundations for responsible action in the modern business world. While sustainability aims to use resources in such a way that they are also available to future generations, CSR emphasizes a company’s responsibility to society. These concepts form the basis for sustainable business practices and have far-reaching implications for corporate strategy.

Sustainable Supply Chain

The sustainable supply chain (SSC) establishes a legal and ethical framework that obliges companies to meet environmental and social standards throughout their entire value chain. This approach has far-reaching implications, as companies are not only held accountable for their own actions, but must also ensure that their suppliers and partners adhere to the same standards.

ResponsibleSteel

ResponsibleSteel is an initiative to promote sustainable practices in the steel industry. It sets standards for environmental and social responsibility and supports companies in improving their sustainability performance.

TfS – Together for Sustainability

Together for Sustainability (TfS) is an initiative launched by leading chemical companies that aims to improve sustainability standards across the chemical industry. Through common standards and assessments, TfS ensures that supply chains worldwide become more sustainable and responsible.

Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI)

The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) is strongly committed to sustainable practices in the aluminium industry. It defines standards that cover the entire supply chain, from raw material extraction to processing.

Energieaudits nach EN 16247

Energy audits are a crucial tool for improving energy efficiency in companies. The EN 16247 standard provides a structured framework for conducting these audits and helps companies systematically identify and implement energy saving potential. These audits not only help to reduce operating costs but also make an important contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions.

Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF)

The Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) is a key tool for measuring a company’s total greenhouse gas emissions. It records direct emissions, such as those generated by the vehicle fleet, and indirect emissions, such as electricity consumption. The CCF helps companies understand their environmental footprint and develop targeted measures to reduce emissions.

Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)

The Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) measures the total CO₂ emissions associated with the manufacture and life cycle of a product. Calculating the PCF helps companies understand the carbon footprint of their products and develop measures to reduce emissions.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a key tool for evaluating the environmental impact of products and services throughout their entire life cycle. By examining raw material extraction, production, use, and disposal, weaknesses in processes can be identified and optimized. It helps companies systematically record and quantify their environmental impact. LCA forms the basis for further tools such as the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF).

Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) provide transparent information about the environmental impact of products. They are based on a life cycle analysis and help companies disclose and continuously improve their environmental footprints. EPDs can not only contribute to improving sustainability ratings, such as EcoVadis, but also to meeting customer requirements.

EcoVadis

EcoVadis offers a comprehensive rating system for companies’ sustainability performance. The ratings are based on a variety of criteria, including environmental management, fair labor practices, and ethical business conduct.

Compliance

Compliance refers to companies’ adherence to legal regulations and internal guidelines. An effective compliance program minimizes legal risks and strengthens stakeholder confidence.

Compliance is also closely linked to sustainability, as adherence to environmental and social standards is part of a comprehensive compliance program.

SME-Sustainability Package

The SME sustainability package supports small and medium-sized enterprises in implementing sustainable business strategies. From CO₂ accounting, a code of conduct, and a compliance check to a DNK-compliant sustainability report, you can benefit from our comprehensive solution to take on environmental and social responsibility and secure long-term competitive advantages.

Conclusion

The integration of sustainability and CSR into corporate strategies is essential for the long-term success and social responsibility of companies. The various approaches and initiatives presented on this page provide a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and advantages of sustainable action.

The outlook for future developments shows that the importance of sustainability and CSR will continue to grow. Companies that implement these principles are not only well equipped to meet the challenges of the future, but also strengthen consumer and partner confidence.

Free initial consultation

If you would like to find out more about implementing sustainability and CSR initiatives in your company, please do not hesitate to contact us! Our experts are ready to offer you customized solutions tailored to your company’s specific needs. Contact us today to take the first step towards a more sustainable future!

Arrange a non-binding consultation

Phone: +49 751 76778728

Patrick Wortner

Partner | MBA and Eng., Dipl.-Ing. (FH)

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between sustainability and CSR?

Sustainability refers to the use and protection of resources to ensure that future generations can live in a healthy environment. Corporate social responsibility (CSR), on the other hand, is a concept that encourages companies to take responsibility for their impact on society by going beyond legal requirements and promoting ethical business practices.

Why is the Supply Chain Act important for companies?

The Supply Chain Act is crucial because it obliges companies to comply with environmental and social standards throughout their entire supply chain. It aims to protect human rights and prevent environmental damage by promoting transparency and accountability across the industry. This not only strengthens companies’ own brand image, but also gains the trust of consumers and business partners.

How does life cycle assessment help companies become more sustainable?

Life cycle assessment is a valuable tool that helps companies evaluate the environmental impact of their products throughout their entire life cycle. By analyzing phases such as raw material extraction, production, use, and disposal, companies can identify weaknesses and develop targeted measures to reduce their environmental impact, which is not only beneficial from an ecological perspective but also from an economic one.

What are environmental product declarations (EPDs) and why are they important?

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are standardized documents that provide detailed information about the environmental impact of products. They are based on comprehensive life cycle analyses and help companies disclose and continuously improve their environmental footprints. EPDs play a central role in sustainability assessment and support companies in transparently communicating their progress in sustainable development.

How does EcoVadis support companies in improving their sustainability performance?

EcoVadis offers a comprehensive rating system for corporate sustainability performance based on various criteria, including environmental management and fair labor practices. By providing objective ratings, EcoVadis helps companies identify their strengths and weaknesses in terms of sustainability, leading to continuous improvement in business practices and strengthening the trust of customers and partners.

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