HAN Rail GmbH
Sustainability as a success factor in the rail industry Customer:…
Use the opportunities of sustainability for greater efficiency and competitive advantages
Sustainability in mechanical engineering
As a company in your sector, mechanical engineering, you are used to deal with major challenges. Sustainable management and the integration of ESG criteria are nothing new. ESG stands for the terms environmental, social and governance – responsible corporate management. Depending on the size of your company, the requirements in these areas may be legally regulated or voluntary. In any case, these topics are of increasing importance for your stakeholders, from customers and partners to clients and financial institutions. The development of Climate Strategies, Materiality Analyses, calculation of Carbon Footprints, participation in Ratings and the continuous implementation and improvement of sustainability provide you with advantages in terms of reputation and measurable savings.
At DFGE, we have been supporting companies for more than 25 years on their path to greater sustainability in their own company and along international value chains. Always holistic, fact-based and scientifically sound. We have compiled the most important sustainability challenges in mechanical engineering and possible solutions for you here.
- Webinar: Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) according to VDMA Guidline
- Webinar: Science-Based Targets (SBTi) for mechanical engineers
- VDMA – German Engineering Federation
- ZVEI – Association of the Electrical and Digital Industry
What matters now:
Implementing sustainability measurably and effectively
Those who take a structured approach to ESG today will have a clear advantage tomorrow. DFGE supports mechanical engineering companies with a practical ESG roadmap that is scientifically sound, conforms to standards and can be implemented immediately – without greenwashing, but with measurable results:
Without a valid Carbon Footprint, any sustainability measure is just lip service. Only when you know where you stand can you take action for more sustainability. Scope 1, 2 and 3 need to be recorded here. And also to take a look at the bigger picture along the value chain.
- Calculating a product-related Carbon Footprint (PCF) or the Carbon Footprint of your entire company (CCF) and developing strategies to reduce emissions is no easy task. With our DFGE top-down approach, we help you to discover the important levers in a short space of time. Depending on the product and company size, we work with software solutions. We are also happy to advise you on the selection or implementation of software.
After the Carbon Footprint calculation, you can develop a climate strategy that includes the specific climate targets you are aiming for and your company’s decarbonization plan to continuously reduce CO2 emissions along the value chain.
You define your company’s climate targets. The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) provides the framework for science-based climate targets. Stakeholders and partners can also request the documentation and communication of climate targets, i.e. climate targets according to CSRD (without SBTi) or carbon neutrality according to ISO 14068.
The Climate Action Plan serves as an action plan for implementing the identified reduction potentials for decarbonization. In some cases, a Climate Transition Plan must also be drawn up to meet ESG requirements.
- We become your partner in all these complex and challenging steps and accompany you for reliable results. We were the first official Science Based Targets partner of the CDP in the DACH region – our success rate here is 100%. No wonder so many companies in your industry trust us to calculate, analyze and implement Science Based Targets.
The topics addressed in the ESG strategy vary. The decisive factors here are your products/services as well as your customers and clients. It can be environmental issues such as pollution, water or biodiversity. Social aspects can include working conditions, labor rights and more. And governance issues are never the same for all mechanical engineering companies. It is therefore particularly important in the double materiality analysis to identify the issues that are relevant to you and then to implement measures accordingly.
- Our roots in research and our more than 25 years of experience ensure that we can provide you with faster and more comprehensive support in these areas. We have always worked closely with many institutions and have also contributed to some standards, so our expertise across all subject areas is a great advantage for our clients.
The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is forcing companies to produce more detailed sustainability reports. Much has just been scaled back a little. This is a good thing – we need less bureaucracy. We definitely need more sustainability – whether as a large company in accordance with the CSRD, as a smaller company in accordance with the Omnibus or on a voluntary basis.
- We help you to transform the complexity of CSRD into workable sustainability projects. As a coach or as a “turnkey” solution. In all its breadth and depth – or as preparation for requests from your stakeholde
The importance of the supply chain and the entire value chain in the mechanical engineering industry is in focus on the path to sustainable business. Are your products and your supply chain extensive? How can it be recorded internationally? The most important reporting initiative here is certainly EcoVadis, which helps manufacturers to achieve sustainability reporting along the supply chain.
- We have had a close partnership with EcoVadis for 10 years, we know the how & what of participating in EcoVadis and can provide you and your suppliers with comprehensive support
Circular economy, life cycle assessments (LCA) and resource efficiency are big buzzwords. If you want or need to take action here, you need to have a comprehensive understanding. The interactions and the risk of suspicion of green washing are great.
- Our experts identify your focus topics in a structured and step-by-step manner. Our LCA and Carbon Footprint know-how simplifies the evaluation of the impact on the circular economy. We provide you with the insight you need to make the right decisions.
References
Successful customer projects in the industry
Harro Höfliger
Together towards the future: Harro Höfliger’s path to Net-Zero Customer:…
Herrenknecht
Preparation for the CSRD Customer: Herrenknecht AG Category: Construction /…
ARBURG GmbH + Co KG
The journey of the swabian family-owned company to a transparent…
WIKA
A long-term cooperation Customer: WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co.…
Zeppelin Systems
From Bronze to Gold Status with DFGE EcoVadis Complete Solution…
ESG becomes a mandatory program - and a strategic opportunity
Whether legally required by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) or under pressure from your stakeholders – the expectations for climate-neutral value creation are there!
- Transparent ESG reporting is becoming mandatory for companies – including many SMEs in the mechanical engineering sector.
- The Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) is becoming increasingly important – particularly due to industry initiatives such as the VDMA guideline for PCF calculation in mechanical and plant engineering, which defines the comparability and methodology in mechanical and plant engineering.
- The focus on Scope 3 emissions requires precise knowledge and control of indirect environmental impacts – such as those caused by materials, transportation and use of the machines by the customer.
- Topics such as human rights in the supply chain, energy and resource efficiency, circular economy, governance structures and climate-related opportunities and risks (TCFD) are becoming the focus of investors, customers and regulatory authorities.
Mechanical engineering shapes the future of ESG
The ESG transformation of mechanical engineering is not an administrative act – it is a strategic course setting:
- Engineering expertise meets sustainability strategy: ESG is becoming a source of innovation – through more efficient technologies, new service models, digitalization and circular approaches.
- The PCF as a product business card: With the help of VDMA-compliant calculation models, machine manufacturers can precisely represent the Carbon Footprint of individual products – a decisive competitive factor in public tenders, investment decisions and customer requirements.
- ESG along the entire life cycle: From the use of raw materials to production, use and recycling – machine manufacturers actively shape ESG performance.
- Decarbonization plans & climate targets: Science-Based Targets (SBTi), GHG balances (Scope 1-3) and reduction pathways are becoming the standard for forward-thinking companies.
