To limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, GHG emissions must be halved by 2030 and reduced to zero by 2050. With this in mind, SBTi is helping companies voluntarily set climate protection targets based on scientific findings. “We are currently working on a climate strategy for the Group that will define specific interim targets on the way to net zero,” says Dr Manfred Jagiella, who as a member of the Executive Board is responsible for sustainability at Endress+Hauser.
Carbon footprint as basis for sustainability strategy
For many years, Endress+Hauser has attached great importance to energy efficiency when constructing new buildings, using renewable energy at many locations and promoting the use of electric vehicles. “We want to consistently pursue this path, especially as the requirements from all sides are growing,” emphasizes Julia Schempp. As Endress+Hauser’s Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, she is driving the climate strategy as well as other improvements in ecological, ethical and social matters. In doing so, she can rely on colleagues in a global network.
As a first step, Endress+Hauser measured its carbon footprint in 2022 in accordance with the GHG Protocol, an international standard for GHG accounting. For this purpose, key figures on direct and indirect emission sources (scope 1 and 2) were evaluated. Scope 3 for emissions along upstream and downstream value chains is still in progress. Since 2021, Endress+Hauser has also been participating in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the world’s largest disclosure initiative for corporate environmental strategies.
Sustainability activities also cover the supply chain
Endress+Hauser intends to implement the climate and sustainability targets along the Group-wide standardized business processes. The globally active company is also keeping an eye on its supply chains. Julia Schempp has also been acting as Human Rights Officer since the beginning of the year. A human rights and environmental risk management system has been introduced to identify and avoid risks within the company and with suppliers at an early stage.
Measures include a whistleblower system for human rights or environmental misconduct, which can be accessed via the Endress+Hauser website. Employees, business partners and third parties can report possible violations here – anonymously if necessary – which are then independently investigated. This complies with the recommendations of the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act and the Swiss Ordinance on Due Diligence and Transparency Regarding Minerals and Metals From Conflict Areas and Child Labor.
Customer forum on the sustainable transformation of the process industry
“Combining economic success with social action and ecological responsibility has characterized Endress+Hauser since it was founded 70 years ago,” emphasizes CEO Matthias Altendorf. He believes the Group is on the right track in this respect. An important indicator in his eyes is the ranking in the EcoVadis sustainability benchmark. Last year, Endress+Hauser again achieved 76 out of 100 points in the audit. This placed the company in the top percentile of the comparison group and earned it platinum status, the highest level of recognition.
The importance the company attaches to the topic of sustainability is also demonstrated by the Endress+Hauser Global Forum, which will be held in Basel from 26 to 28 June 2023. The Group is using its 70th anniversary as an opportunity to discuss the sustainable transformation of the process industry with over 1,000 customers, partners and experts under the headline ‘Insights for sustainable decisions’. Matthias Altendorf: “We are convinced that we are part of the solution and not the problem.”
