Four focus areas

Sustainable impact from the four focus areas

To further develop its sustainability goals, the uvex group set about determining exactly how the company can most effectively protect people and nature, as well as defining the measures needed to achieve this. Using a materiality analysis, the four most relevant focus areas were specified, in turn helping the uvex group to determine how sustainability can be brought to life throughout the company both today and in the future. 

GRI 102-44, 102-47, 103-1, 103-2, 103-3, 205-2, 302-4, 302-5, 305-5

 

Ecological transformation

We are striving to achieve climate neutrality in addition to a more environmentally friendly footprint for our entire value chain.

Reducing emissions is already a priority for the business as a whole. In fact, the uvex group intends to fulfil its responsibilities and commitments by doing all it can to contribute to the achievement of the 1.5 °C target for global warming stipulated by the Paris Agreement.

In defining our climate protection targets, we shall adopt science-based approaches. When it comes to achieving these climate protection targets, the uvex group has established a clear target achievement hierarchy. The top priority is the avoidance of greenhouse gases: where it proves impossible to avoid greenhouse gas emissions, it is important to ensure that these are kept to an absolute minimum. Moreover, any emissions that are ultimately unavoidable should be offset by way of certified climate protection projects.

We have set ourselves the goal of achieving climate neutrality for the uvex group, including the upstream and downstream value chain, by 2045. The environment should be impacted as little as possible by the uvex group’s products, production activities and production sites. The ecological activities of the uvex group should likewise actively focus on limiting all other negative environmental impacts, such as reducing our waste generation or water consumption.

Social responsibility

We generate social benefits and help to bring about positive change in society and our supply chains through our entrepreneurial thinking and actions.

Safe working standards and fair working conditions reflect a values-driven business approach. By upholding these obligations, we are able to anchor sustainability as a core competency of the uvex group even more dynamically. We shall safeguard these commitments not only for our own employees, but throughout our supply chains as well.

The uvex group also undertakes to actively support and guide all employees in their efforts to become more informed about the sustainability transformation in a manner geared towards the respective target group.

The circular economy as a driver of innovation

We support the innovation of our products and services on the basis of resource efficiency, durability and recyclability.

By carefully using resources and adopting approaches rooted in the circular economy, the uvex group saves on raw materials and energy over the long term. The uvex group intends to take a leading role within the market by promoting innovative concepts and developing more sustainable products. In fact, the company sees the circular economy as an active driver of innovation and seeks to generate a positive impact on its products on the basis of resource efficiency, the use of sustainable materials such as recyclates and bio-based materials, durability and recyclability. The aim here is to generate positive impacts across the entire product lifecycle, starting with the development process, before moving onto the actual use of the material, and finally recycling. Essentially, the priority is to implement circular product solutions, with an emphasis on aspects such as designs for recycling, retaining product ownership and product life extension.

Commitment to not harm the environment or human health

We stand for rigorous management of harmful substances with the aim of minimising the impact on the health of both people and the environment.

In order to avoid causing any damage from the use of pollutants, a controlled and systematic approach is required. The uvex group places stricter demands on itself than the applicable regulatory requirements and strives to keep the use of harmful substances to an absolute minimum. When new processes are introduced or new products are launched, the uvex group ensures that aspects such as environmental compatibility are factored into the development process right from the very beginning.

The uvex group will strive to position its locations across Europe/Germany as a hallmark of quality, while more systematic supplier controls will also be implemented.

Our goals in detail

Quantifiable, group-wide goals were developed for the respective focus areas to ensure that they are consistently anchored in our strategic approach. In defining our climate protection targets, we shall adopt science-based approaches. When it comes to achieving these climate protection targets, the uvex group has established a clear target achievement hierarchy. The top priority is the avoidance of greenhouse gases: where it proves impossible to avoid greenhouse gas emissions, it is important to ensure that these are kept to an absolute minimum. Moreover, any emissions that are ultimately unavoidable should be offset by way of certified climate protection projects.

Ecological transformation
  • Climate neutrality by 2045 for Scope 1-3
  • Development of science-based climate protection targets by 2024 (reduction of Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030 against baseline year 2021) (SBTI)
  • Reduction of absolute waste generation through prevention, reduction and recycling by 50% by 2030 against baseline year 2020/2021
  • Reduction of water consumption by 10% by 2030 against baseline year 2020/2021
  • Reduction of hazardous waste by 10% by 2030 against baseline year 2020/2021
  • Reduction of scrap rates to below 5% by 2030 against baseline year 2020/2021
Social responsibility
  • Achieve a target NPS score of > 40 by 2026
  • Register an employee retention score of at least “good” by 2026
  • Implementation of sustainable supplier management processes with a focus on climate compatibility, social aspects and transparency by 2026
  • Achieve a training rate on sustainability issues of at least 90% of the workforce by 2025
The circular economy as a driver of innovation
  • Increasing the overall share of sustainable materials (bio-based materials or recyclate) to 20% by 2030 against baseline year 2020/2021
  • Exclusive use of recycled or recyclable materials for packaging by 2030 against baseline year 2020/2021
  • Implementation of recyclable product solutions (Design for Recycling, Retain Product Ownership, Product Life Extension) by 2026.
Commitment to not harm the environment or human health
  • Certification of all European production sites in accordance with ISO 14001 by 2026
  • Further development of hazardous substance management processes and continuous reduction in the use of defined hazardous substances
  • Monitoring the number of reports evidencing the presence of hazardous substances
Ecology Economy Social
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