Sustainability and corporate responsibility
Sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are key issues in the modern business world and are becoming increasingly important. Companies increasingly have a responsibility not only to pursue economic goals, but also to take social and ecological aspects into account.
The relevance of these issues for companies is reflected in the need to meet 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 behavior 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. Various topics are covered below, including corporate social responsibility, sustainable supply chain, life cycle assessment, environmental product declarations, the corporate and product carbon footprint, energy audits, EcoVadis assessments and the aluminum stewardship and ResponsibleSteel initiatives.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the business world
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 towards society. These concepts form the basis for sustainable business practices and have far-reaching implications for corporate strategy.
You can find more information on our page: Sustainability and CSR
Sustainable supply chain
The Sustainable Supply Chain (SSC) sets a legal and ethical framework that obliges companies to meet environmental and social standards along 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 follow the same standards.
Legal instruments, such as the Supply Chain Act and similar regulations, require companies to identify and assess environmental and human rights risks in their supply chains and take measures to minimize these risks. This pushes companies to implement more sustainable practices and promote responsible business at all levels of the supply chain.
You can find more information on our page: Sustainable supply chain
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.
You can find more information on our page: ResponsibleSteel
Similar to ResponsibleSteel, the Together for Sustainability (TfS) and Alumiium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) initiatives also aim to promote sustainable standards – albeit in the chemical and aluminum industries. The three initiatives illustrate how important it is for companies to integrate sustainability and responsibility along the entire value chain.
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.
You can find more information on our page: Together for Sustainability
Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI)
The Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI) is intensively committed to sustainable practices in the aluminum industry. It defines standards that cover the entire supply chain from raw material extraction to processing.
You can find more information on our page: Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI)
Energy audits according to EN 16247
Energy audits are a key tool for improving energy efficiency in companies. The EN 16247 standard provides a structured framework for carrying out these audits and helps companies to systematically identify and implement potential energy savings. These audits not only help to reduce operating costs but also make an important contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions.
You can find more information on our page: Energy audits in accordance with EN 16247
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 caused by the vehicle fleet, and indirect emissions, such as electricity consumption. The CCF helps companies to understand their ecological footprint and develop targeted measures to reduce emissions.
You can find more information on our page: Corporate Carbon Footprint
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 to understand the carbon footprint of their products and develop measures to reduce emissions.
You can find more information on this on our page: Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)
Life cycle assessment (LCA)
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a key tool for assessing the environmental impact of products and services throughout their entire life cycle. By examining the extraction of raw materials, production, use and disposal, weak points in processes can be identified and optimized. It helps companies to systematically record and quantify their environmental impact. The LCA forms the basis for further instruments such as the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF).
You can find more information on our page: Life cycle assessment
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) provide transparent information on the environmental impact of products. They are based on a life cycle analysis and help companies to disclose and continuously improve their environmental footprint. EPDs can not only help to improve sustainability ratings, such as EcoVadis, but also to meet customer requirements.
You can find more information on this on our page: Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)
EcoVadis
EcoVadis offers a comprehensive rating system for the sustainability performance of companies. The ratings are based on a variety of criteria, including environmental management, fair labor practices and ethical business conduct.
You can find more information on our page: EcoVadis
Compliance
Compliance refers to a company’s adherence to legal regulations and internal guidelines. An effective compliance program minimizes legal risks and strengthens the trust of stakeholders.
Compliance is also closely linked to sustainability, as adherence to environmental and social standards is part of a comprehensive compliance program.
You can find more information on this on our page: Compliance
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 benefits 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 their trust among consumers and partners.
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 supply chain. It aims to protect human rights and prevent environmental damage by promoting transparency and responsibility throughout the industry. As a result, companies not only strengthen their own brand image, but also gain the trust of consumers and business partners.
How does life cycle assessment help companies to become more sustainable?
Life cycle assessment is a valuable tool that helps companies to evaluate the environmental impact of their products over their entire life cycle. By analyzing phases such as raw material extraction, production, use and disposal, companies can identify weak points and develop targeted measures to reduce their environmental impact, which is not only ecologically but also economically beneficial.
What are Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and why are they important?
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are standardized documents that provide detailed information on the environmental impact of products. They are based on comprehensive life cycle analyses and help companies to disclose and continuously improve their environmental footprints. EPDs play a central role in sustainability assessment and help companies to communicate their progress in sustainable development in a transparent manner.
How does EcoVadis support companies in improving their sustainability performance?
EcoVadis offers a comprehensive rating system for companies’ sustainability performance based on various criteria, including environmental management and fair labor practices. By providing objective assessments, EcoVadis helps companies to identify their strengths and weaknesses in terms of sustainability, leading to continuous improvement of corporate practices and increasing the trust of customers and partners.
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!
Patrick Wortner
CEO | MBA and Eng., Dipl.-Ing. (FH)