Objectives

As part of the new UN Sustainable Development Agenda, the long-term priorities are clear: End poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity. Siemens contributes to the achievement of these priorities by providing access to clean and affordable energy solutions, creating smart and livable cities and providing access to innovative healthcare systems.

Our goal with Business to Society was to develop a methodology to quantitatively assess our social impact around multiple dimensions, including driving economic growth, enabling job creation and skills, advancing innovation, sustaining the environment, improving quality of life and improving societal inclusion. We also wanted to understand our contribution towards the UN Agenda and measure overall social impact on a project, on a country or global level.

Strategy and Execution

We made the Sustainable Development Goals our business agenda. Key highlights include:

Decarbonization: We transformed our Environmental Business Portfolio to focus on helping our customers' reduce their carbon footprint and combat climate change. We also became the first global industrial company to pledge to become carbon-neutral by 2030.

Conservation of Resources: In our environmental program, "Serve the Environment", we defined objectives and activities to reduce negative environmental impacts at all Siemens locations. This makes an important contribution to resource and climate protection while also increasing customer benefits. Program goals include: 0 waste to landfill, 6% higher energy efficiency and recycling 100% of water.

Product Stewardship: Our "Product Eco Excellence" program ensures our products are safe, presenting no danger to humans and the environment. We know the footprint of our products and are constantly working to keep material and energy consumption as low as possible. Program goals include: 100% efficient chemical management, reducing critical materials used and conducting more life-cycle analyses (LCAs) so we can optimize the environmental impact of our products

Corporate Citizenship: Our commitment to advance societies by making our technology and knowledge accessible to more people around the world. We build our commitment on three pillars: access to technology, access to education, and sustaining communities. We draw on our core competencies, plus scientific research, to help improve living conditions through access to technology. We also extend educational opportunities to more people and improve research, especially in STEM. We support cultural and societal activities is part of our self-understanding as a socially responsible company protecting values, unleashing creativity, enhancing intercultural understanding and inspiring progress.

Diversity: Siemens has made a conscious decision to foster a diverse workforce which contributes to the UN Agenda by promoting equality, educational opportunities, job creation and high-quality employment. To strengthen our diversity, we address unconscious bias; promote gender balance; support LGBTI communities and people with disabilities; foster the value of globality; and ensure an inclusive culture that values the contributions of and different people from diverse backgrounds.

Results

Decarbonization

• In fiscal 2017, our Environmental Portfolio enabled customers to reduce CO2 emissions by 570M metric tons globally. Our Environmental Portfolio accounts for about 50 percent of annual revenue and comprises technologies such as smart grids, industrial automation, e-vehicles, energy-efficient systems, and renewable energy technologies.
• Siemens cut its CO2 emissions from 2.2 million tons in fiscal 2014 to 1.6 million tons in fiscal 2017, (27%).

Conservation of Resources

• Waste production decreased in fiscal 2017 from 2016, while revenue increased by 3%.
• Reduced waste to landfill by 19% compared to 2014; supported by company-wide waste reduction and material efficiency training.

Product Stewardship

• Increased the number of life-cycle analyses by 10 percent in 2017.

Corporate Citizenship

• As part of our commitment, Siemens donated approximately € 25 million in 2017.

Diversity

• Compared to fiscal 2016, women in management positions increased 3%.

Reputation

• For the first time ever, Corporate Knights rated Siemens the world's most sustainable company.
• Were listed on Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the 18th straight year.
• Forbes and Statista asked 15,000 respondents from 60 countries to rate the trustworthiness, honesty, social conduct, performance, and quality of products of the Global 2000 companies. Siemens was named the #1 Top Regarded Company.
• In the U.S., Siemens was named one of the 50 companies to Change the World by Fortune.

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