Sustainability & Energy - vdma.org

In November, the EU Parliament published the draft report on corporate sustainability obligations. The draft goes even further than the EU Commission's proposal. The VDMA is calling for this to be changed.

The final phase of the COP27 world climate conference has been difficult, with the joint final declaration on the back burner for a while. Although the world climate conference remains a decisive format, it needs strong complementary initiatives that bring concrete climate protection forward. Keyword "Climate Club

The updated German Packaging Act came into force on July 03, 2021 and contains new obligations that also apply to mechanical engineering companies that generally place non-system packaging on the market.

Per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are not only the focus of substance restrictions within the EU and Germany, but are increasingly being restricted in other countries.

Combustion engine technology is part of the solution for global climate protection with the help of green, CO2-neutral fuels. VDMA therefore supports the concerns expressed by EU Commissioner Breton regarding a ban on internal combustion engines from 2035.

Here you will find accompanying documents to support you in implementing the contents (compliance and sustainability topics) described in the ZVEI-VDMA Code of Conduct in your company.

Following the gas price brake, there must now be an electricity price brake. However, it will only bring calm to the market if suppliers are put in a position to offer industry calculable and reliable supply contracts.

The so-called trilogue negotiations between the EU Parliament, Council and Commission on the EU's "Fit for 55" climate package are of considerable importance for the hydrogen economy.

The VDMA surveyed the ESG implementation status in the summer of 2022. Now the survey results are available in the initial evaluation.

A compromise was reached at the last minute in the dispute over Germany's nuclear power plants. This can only work if the targeted renewable energy capacities are actually added next year.

Startup innovations for the construction equipment industry: in October 2022, there will be innovative startups to discover at bauma that are shaping the future of the industry with fresh innovations.

How will companies get through the energy price crisis? Even the Federal Network Agency can't give any guarantees, but at least the path for the coming months now seems to be mapped out.

Energy, climate and technologies - There is a lot of talk these days about resilience and technological sovereignty. Energy, climate and green technologies play a key role in this, and their impact can only be developed through an interdisciplinary strategic approach.

Get active now! Young teams from VDMA member companies can develop creative concepts for reducing emissions and, with a bit of luck, win the new VDMA "Carbon Busters" award.

Product Carbon Footprints are often calculated according to general standards. However, these standards often leave room for interpretation and do not offer transparent comparability. This problem is countered with the help of the VDMA standard sheet currently being prepared.

The German government wants to get a grip on the sharp rise in gas prices with a special fund. Small and medium-sized industrial companies also need more security and relief with regard to their energy costs. This must be taken into account by the Gas Commission, which is now making proposals on concrete gas price caps.

The EU taxonomy is the instrument when it comes to the future assessment and financing of sustainable economic activities. In fact, it acts more as a hurdle. Now new environmental criteria are to be presented by the EU Commission, which offer a possible improvement and thus recognition of the activities of mechanical engineering.

The gas levy is also a burden on companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector. But it is only one aspect, because the energy supply of the companies faces a number of challenges: Keyword new contracts with suppliers.

Climate protection is an enormous task - and a great opportunity, especially for German and European industry. Will this perspective be destroyed by the current energy crisis? And what strategies will help companies now? The Mechanical Engineering Summit is focusing on this.

Against the backdrop of current crises, the study outlines a path for decision makers on how the African continent can achieve a modern, clean and affordable energy future.

The planned EU reporting obligations on sustainability are out of touch with reality. Among other things, they are supposed to cover the entire value chain of companies. For this, medium-sized companies lack the in-house-expertise. Moreover, there are not enough experts available.

Call for participation: EU consultation runs until August 8. Every vote counts. VDMA supports its members.

The think tank Agora Energiewende wants to offer structural solutions even in times of crisis and shows how the ambitious goals of carbon neutrality can be implemented by 2035.

Green ammonia is the new all-rounder on the global markets: whether as a climate-neutral fertilizer, energy carrier or transport carrier for hydrogen. Numerous major projects are in the pipeline.

The 5th edition of the VDMA Technology Guide is dedicated to Mastering the Energy Transition. It brings together the Who's Who of European process technology suppliers. Is your company included?

Europe's small and medium-sized industry needs reliable plans from the EU on how gas will be distributed in the event of a real shortage. What is needed is an even supply to all industrial consumers. The German government must amend the Workplace Ordinance in good time so that companies can make their contribution to containing the energy crisis.

DNV examines the state of cybersecurity in the power industry to focus on the rising threat of cyberattacks. The authors observe a wait-and-see attitude in the industry.

VDMA white paper provides practical assistance in assessing the CCC certification obligation for control cabinets

The amendment of the Energy Security Act is good and right. In the event of an emergency, a pay-as-you-go model is needed to safeguard utilities, instead of an incalculable, immediate passing on of additional costs.

The decision in the EU Environment Council in favor of a second emissions trading scheme is an important step toward comprehensive European greenhouse gas pricing. However, major uncertainties remain with regard to future drive technologies for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.

The G7 summit showed that the Western industrialized nations want to act together on crucial issues. It is good that the G7 is pushing ahead with the establishment of an international climate club and wants to offer an alternative to the Chinese New Silk Road.

Energy security is crucial for the entire EU, especially industry. The decision by EU member states to fill their gas storage facilities before winter and to share storage facilities is a sign that the EU is determined to prevent a worst-case scenario.

Germany and Europe want to become climate-neutral by the middle of the century. To achieve this, two challenges must be met: transforming the energy system while ensuring security of supply.

The alarm level of the Gas Emergency Plan indicates the real danger of an undersupply. The actual supply situation must now be clarified quickly. The mechanical and plant engineering sector supports fair burden sharing that does not overburden individual gas consumer groups.

In its second attempt, the European Parliament has found a position on the CO2 border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). CBAM is a major field trial that potentially disadvantages the mechanical and plant engineering sector.

In its latest report, the BMWK's Scientific Advisory Board shares the concerns of the business community and recommends that preventive risk management be dispensed with and that positive and negative lists be introduced.

The amended Packaging Act already came into force last year, and now it is a matter of fulfilling new obligations - especially in the area of B2B packaging. VDMA member companies that generally place non-system-participating packaging on the market must now ALL become active by July 1, 2022: They must register in the LUCID packaging register!

The postponement of the CBAM vote in the EU Parliament offers the opportunity to further develop the highly sensitive CO2 border adjustment in a second attempt. Exports of machinery and equipment, for example, must not be placed at a competitive disadvantage. These technologies are urgently needed worldwide to achieve the Paris climate targets.

Der Innovationspreis für Klima und Umwelt 2022 wurde dieses Jahr unter anderem an drei Partner der VDMA-Nachhaltigkeitsinitiative Blue Competence verliehen. Einer dieser drei ist die Grundfos GmbH aus Erkrath. Den Preis erhielt das Unternehmen in der Kategorie „Prozessinnovationen für den Klimaschutz“.

The first edition of the Carbon Busters award is all about good ideas for tracking down and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in companies. The main prize went to the team from ARBURG GmbH Co KG in Lossburg, congratulations.

Under the motto "next generation reduces emissions in mechanical and plant engineering", the VDMA selected the winners of the first-ever VDMA Awards Carbon Busters at the Hannover Messe on May 30, 2022.

Der Innovationspreis für Klima und Umwelt 2022 wurde dieses Jahr unter anderem gleich an drei Partner der VDMA-Nachhaltigkeitsinitiative Blue Competence verliehen. Einer dieser drei ist die SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG aus Lauffen. Den Preis erhielt das Unternehmen in der Kategorie „Umweltfreundliche Produkte und Dienstleistungen“.

Der Innovationspreis für Klima und Umwelt 2022 wurde dieses Jahr unter anderem an drei Partner der VDMA-Nachhaltigkeitsinitiative Blue Competence verliehen. Einer dieser drei ist die Kurtz GmbH & Co. KG aus Kreuzwertheim. Den Preis erhielt das Unternehmen in der Kategorie „Umweltfreundliche Technologien“.

The German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) is awarding the German Innovation Prize for Climate and Environment (IKU) for the first time. The award honors outstanding innovations from ten German companies and research institutions with a total of 175,000 euros in prize money.

On May 18, the finalized EU energy supply plan "RePowerEU" was published. The plan paints the way forward for a secure and green energy supply for the EU, without dependence on Russian gas supplies. The mechanical and plant engineering sector is affected as a technology supplier, but the plan's industrial strategy is somewhat lacking.

German innovation cluster accelerates industrialisation of fuel cell production.

The EU must make Europe independent of Russian energy sources. In doing so, the focus is primarily on reducing energy consumption. A wide range of solutions from the machinery and plant engineering sector are available here.

On April 21, 2021, the EU Commission published a proposal for the revision of the so-called CSR Directive (Non Financial Reporting Directive - NFRD), which has been in force in Germany since 2017, and which significantly expands the scope of application: in Germany from currently around 500 to 15,000 companies! The expansion was confirmed by the conclusion of the trilogue procedure on 21.6.2022.

Human rights are non-negotiable. However, the requirements of the EU-Commission in its Directive on sustainability due diligence can hardly be implemented by SMEs.

As you know from the coverage of Russia's war against Ukraine, there is still a possibility that European gas supplies from Russia will be terminated by one side or the other.