FOCUS ON
CLIMATE JOURNEY
Explore our JourneyThe Schaeffler Group has responded to the challenges of climate change and aims to achieve climate-neutral operations by 2040. The company will include the entire supply chain on this climate journey.
Schaeffler will be climate-neutral as of 2040
Sustainability is an integral part of the Schaeffler Group’s corporate strategy and four company values. The company assumes environmental and social responsibility along the entire value chain. In order to maintain these standards, the company further developed the Schaeffler sustainability strategy throughout 2022, systematically aligning it with the three ESG dimensions of environment, social, and governance, and defining ten action fields.
Additional sections were identified for each of the ten action fields, some of which are backed by corresponding targets and key figures. The “climate neutrality” action field, in particular, plays a key role in the implementation of the sustainability strategy. The Schaeffler Group set itself the goal of achieving climate-neutral operations and reducing CO2 emissions in both in-house production and the supply chain by 2040 – for example, by using renewable energies. The Schaeffler Group’s Climate Action Plan was developed and optimized 2022 to this end.
Ten action fields
Environment
Social
Governance
The Sustainability Report is structured following the ten action fields. More information on the individual action fields can be found in the chapters.
“Our ten action fields lay the groundwork for decisive, efficient implementation of our sustainability strategy along the issues of environment, social, and governance.”
Bastian Sauerberg Head of Group Strategy, Sustainability and Corporate Development
In 2022, approximately
530,0001)
metric tons of greenhouse gases, amongst other things, could be saved through the use of renewable energy
1) Compared to the base year 2019
Schaeffler has acquired a photovoltaic park in Kammerstein, Franconia, from BayWa r.e. AG. The acquisition is a vital step toward producing 25 percent of our global electricity needs by 2030.
The company will include the entire supply chain on its climate journey. The individual stages are ambitious. Internal production (Scope 1 and 2) should be climate-neutral as of 2030, with 75 percent of production emissions eliminated by 2025. The emissions resulting from input and raw materials in the supply chain (Scope 3 upstream) will be reduced by 25 percent by 2030. Schaeffler is also pursuing the goal of achieving climate neutrality in this area by 2040. Initial milestones along the way have been achieved. Since 2022, all European and Chinese plants have obtained 100 percent of their electricity from renewable sources. Among other things, that is what saved around 530,0001) metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2022. All of the locations worldwide will acquire 100 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2024. By then additional measures will be implemented which will result in the cumulative annual energy efficiency gains of 100 GWh.
In the future, Schaeffler plans to increase the percentage of sustainably produced input and raw materials sourced from more climate-friendly processes, which will prove to be a key challenge particularly in high-energy areas such as steel and aluminum. When it comes to electric mobility, renewable energy production, and the generation and use of hydrogen, Schaeffler and its partners rely on sustainable innovations, as the 1.5-degree target can only be achieved in collaboration with all of the stakeholders.
1) compared to base year 2019
“Renewable energies and energy efficiency play a key role in Schaeffler’s decarbonization strategy. By 2030, around 25 percent of the electricity required worldwide will be selfgenerated. We have already made a great deal of progress, most recently with the expansion of our photovoltaic capacities.”
Petru-Catalin Scafaru Head of Schaeffler Production System and Technology
Key milestones on the path to climate neutrality
2021
April 2022
Sustainable supply chain for electric motors
Schaeffler sources rare-earth oxides from the Norwegian company REEtec AS to make electric motors for hybrid modules, hybrid transmissions, and all-electric axle drives even more sustainable.
April 2022
EcoVadis Platinum status
Schaeffler managed to improve its EcoVadis sustainability rating to 76 out of 100 points.
76of 100 pts.
June 2022
Climate Action Day
More than 23,000 ideas for reducing CO2 emissions came from the world of Schaeffler after the global Climate Action Day. The new climate action training has also supported all Schaeffler employees with their dedication to climate protection since October 2022.
July 2022
Climate Action Plan
A comprehensive Climate Action Plan that forms the basis for the development and implementation of necessary climate action measures was introduced.
July 2022
15 Climate Challenges
At the Schaeffler Group’s executive meeting in Bolzano, participants stationed at 15 market stands presented a selection of climate challenges as well as technologies and innovations that could help to achieve climate targets.
September 2022
Long-term supply with solar power
Schaeffler has concluded a supply contract with Statkraft Markets GmbH and in the future will source 11 percent of its electricity in Germany from photovoltaic systems.
11%solar power
September 2022
From electric motors to fuel cells: innovations at IAA TRANSPORTATION
Schaeffler appeared at IAA TRANSPORTATION with a focus on sustainable logistics. The company is electrifying commercial vehicles and developing hydrogen mobility for the transport industry.
December 2022
CDP rating – two top scores of “A”
In the renowned international CDP rating, Schaeffler received the top score of “A” in both climate change and water security in 2022 and is thus among the top one percent of participating companies.
“A”
December 2022
Hydrogen producer Lhyfe and purchase of a photovoltaic park
Schaeffler has concluded a cooperation agreement with French hydrogen producer Lhyfe for the construction and operation of an industrial electrolysis plant with a capacity of up to 15 megawatts in Herzogenaurach. In Germany, Schaeffler also purchased a photovoltaic park from BayWa r.e. AG, which will cover two percent of the electricity needs of Schaeffler’s German locations.
2023
