Expertenthemenbeschreibung Sustainability Management

Sustainability Management

The strategic implementation of environmentally and socially relevant aspects in the business organisation

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Whether climate protection targets, suitability for grandchildren or human rights due diligence obligations - sustainability is on everyone's lips and the expectations on companies to act responsibly are constantly increasing.

With the 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations Agenda 2030, the Paris Climate Agreement or the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, cornerstones have been set at the global level to ensure a decent life for future generations.

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Titel der Empfehlung: Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement

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  • Sustainability competition
The German Sustainability Award is an award for sustainability. The prize honors exemplary sustainability achievements in business, communities and research. At the 14th German Sustainability Day in Düsseldorf, this year's prize in the category "Transformation Field Resources" was awarded to Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG was awarded. The company prevailed against six other finalists as the winner.

From our articles

From our articles
Measures to reduce the climate impact of companies

Have you already calculated your company's climate footprint and defined ambitious climate targets? But what specific measures can a company take to achieve these goals?

VDMA web series: Sustainability Talk

With the ‘Sustainability Talks’, the VDMA is organising a web series on current and relevant sustainability topics for the mechanical and plant engineering industry. You can find an overview of the topics and dates here.

Overview of German sustainability awards

We have sat down and compiled an overview for you of the prizes and awards available, the structures and cost models behind them and how they are perceived and received by the public.

VDMA position: Relief from ESG regulations in EU Omnibus Regulation

With the Omnibus Regulation, Commission President von der Leyen wants to consolidate, reduce and simplify various ESG reporting obligations. The VDMA welcomes the initiative and is submitting specific proposals for improvement.

"The German government is finally aiming to ease the burden on SMEs"

The German government now also wants to relieve companies of CSRD reporting obligations. It would be an urgently needed step. Politicians must now do everything they can to convince the EU of this measure.

ESG-Reporting

ESG-Reporting

"Circular economy must continue to enjoy high priority"

Many mechanical engineering companies supply the technologies needed for a circular economy. This makes it all the more important that the EU and the future German government seriously pursue a circular economy policy.

VDMA Valves is committed to transparent life cycle assessments

By developing specific Product Category Rules (PCR), the trade association aims to create a standardized basis for calculating the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF). This ensures greater transparency and comparability of environmental impact.

Europe needs a single market for secondary raw materials

Mechanical engineering is indispensable for a European circular economy. The Circular Economy Act is an important building block, but it must not end in the minutiae of regulation.

How do you develop sustainable products?

The results report of the "Managing Sustainable Innovations" project provides a compact overview of the framework conditions and approaches that can be used to create more sustainable products.

"Implementation of reporting obligations must not lead to more work"

The cabinet agreement on CSRD is to be welcomed. However, there are downsides: these include the limited group of authorized auditors. The additional costs for affected companies are also significantly underestimated in the draft legislation.

Interim status of Q&A discussion on ESRS implementation in accordance with CSRD

In the ESRS project group, members exchange views on questions relating to the reporting requirements under CSRD. The VDMA provides its members with the interim status of the discussion as a Q&A.

Sustainability in mechanical and plant engineering: Stay up-to-date!

CSRD, Supply Chain Sustainability Obligations Act & Co.: The seminars of the Mechanical Engineering Institute provide you with practical knowledge and solutions to the current requirements for more sustainability and climate protection in mechanical and plant engineering.

Publication 1st VDMA Benchmark Industry Materiality according to ESRS

The VDMA publishes the first benchmark for industry-wide materiality in accordance with the European Sustainable Reporting Standard (ESRS) of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Sustainability - an opportunity and challenge for the valves industry

At an information event, 80 participants from the valves industry discussed the challenges posed by the various sustainability regulations.

VDMA training document: Human rights due diligence obligations

Together with member companies, the VDMA has developed training documents from October 2023 to spring 2024 that can be used to raise awareness of human rights risks in your own company and supply chain.

Carbon Management 2035 - Scenario study volume IX

The ninth future study examines the role of carbon management as the key to achieving climate targets. It outlines opportunities and hurdles for industry and society and presents four future scenarios for 2035 and beyond.

Sustainable Finance Taxonomy

The European Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Regulation aims to define what environmentally sustainable economic activities are and thus create a standardized classification system within the EU.

VDMA questionnaire for specifying risks in accordance with the LkSG

The VDMA has published a questionnaire on the LkSG, which can be used to further specify potential risks in your own business area and in the supply chain.

Where do companies stand in implementing ESG requirements?

This survey provides an overview of the status of the implementation of ESG issues in the machinery and plant engineering industry and what role they play in business relationships and what trends and further impacts are expected.

ERP system as the basis for sustainability reporting

Sustainability reports are also gaining central importance for mechanical and plant engineering. Many companies are not yet sufficiently prepared for the new requirements.

#HM25: Der Gemeinschaftsstand des VDMA Software und Digitalisierung

Erleben Sie die Zukunft des Maschinen- und Anlagenbaus! Besuchen Sie den Gemeinschaftsstand in Halle 15 F28 auf der Hannover Messe und entdecken Sie, wie digitale Softwarelösungen die produzierende Industrie revolutionieren!

Supporting documents for the ZVEI-VDMA Code of Conduct

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

Legal requirements

Legal requirements
CSRD: Comprehensive overview and implementation support

The revised Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) had significantly expanded the user group. The EU Commission's omnibus proposal aims to narrow this down again and to simplify and reduce reporting information.

Sustainable Finance Taxonomy

The European Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Regulation aims to define what environmentally sustainable economic activities are and thus create a standardized classification system within the EU.

Business and human rights: Corporate due diligence enshrined in law

The final form of the Corporate Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) will be negotiated at EU level in 2023. In Germany, the Bundestag has already passed a Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) in 2021.

EU Conflict Minerals Regulation

Since the beginning of 2021, importers of conflict minerals such as tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold from risk areas into the EU have been subject to binding due diligence obligations.

EU Regulation: Deforestation-free supply chains (EUDR)

In December 2024, the EU bodies agree to postpone the start of implementation by 1 year.

VDMA Magazin Teaser Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement

New reporting standard - an unnecessary burden?
The CSRD will oblige companies to make their sustainability performance transparent in accordance with an EU reporting standard. However, implementation means bureaucracy. We have compiled figures and obtained the opinions of VDMA experts.
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To the point

To the point

Auf den Punkt Zitat Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement

"I am simply thrilled with the content and the kept simplicity of the topics - although all topics including management systems are covered. The guide gets to the point at the individual points faster than many relevant reference books."

Markus Laib, Corporate Responsibility Manager, Liebherr-International Deutschland GmbH, on the VDMA Practical Guide to Sustainability Management

Auf den Punkt Zahl Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement

12

sustainable guiding principles

form the basis for sustainable management in mechanical and plant engineering.

Quelle: VDMA

Auf den Punkt Zusammenfassung Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement

Summary
Four steps to a successful sustainability strategy:
  • Analysis and inventory
  • Strategy and need for action 
  • Operational anchoring and implementation
  • External communication

Trade fairs and events

Trade fairs and events

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  • Environmental Policy

Update on the ongoing PFAS actions

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Wed. 09.07.25 Wed. 09.07.25

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  • Informatics
  • Sustainability

Discover how the synergetic development of digitalization and sustainability is shaping the future of our industry.

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Wed. 09.07.25 Wed. 09.07.25

  • Energy Policy

Event organized by VDMA Climate & Energy, VDMA Power Systems and VDMA Building Technology Forum

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More VDMA services

More VDMA services

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CSR Management: Software Offer in Cooperation with VDMA
At the request of its members, the VDMA searched for and found a suitable service provider for CSR management in an intensive process.
VDMA practical guide to sustainability management
The VDMA practical guide "Living Sustainability in the Company" is specifically tailored to the mechanical and plant engineering sector and contains extensive knowledge, tips and tools for managing, implementing and making sustainability transparent.

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Quick check: Managing sustainable customer requirements
In the mechanical and plant engineering industry, inquiries about sustainability in the supply chain are increasing. To support members in dealing with this, the VDMA is now offering a telephone consultation service.

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VDMA starter kit for the implementation of human rights due diligence in the company
To get started with the implementation of the five core elements of the NAP, VDMA has created auxiliary templates in an Excel file.
VDMA initiative Blue Competence
Blue Competence is an initiative of the VDMA aimed at promoting sustainability in the mechanical and plant engineering sector. At the same time, the initiative has the goal of informing the industry about sustainable solutions which will lead to new energy concepts, to the efficient use of limited resources, or to an improvement in the overall quality of life.

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FAQ Sustainability Management 
Our FAQ module provides detailed answers to the most important questions on how to strategically anchor sustainability in a company. 

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