ENVIRONMENT
Protecting our environment and the climate are major global challenges of our age. Maintaining the natural basis of life for future generations is part of our corporate responsibility. That includes steadily reducing emissions, continuous improvements in the efficient use of materials and resources, and developing products that help us forge a link between economic success and ecological progress.
The focus is not on the absolute value for consumption and emission, but on the relative ones - based on the corresponding production amount. With this information, the efficiency of our processes and their development over time can be evaluated more reliably than with absolute values. The information thus gained has direct impact on our ecological areas of action. These are especially the reduction of energy consumption, emissions into air, soil and water, and the sparing use of water resources. Environmental impacts are important to us - from the evaluation of suppliers along the value chain up to the disposal at the end of the life cycle. Thus we can offer solutions to our customers which help them to improve their own ecological assessments - with higher energy efficiency lower emissions, and thus a valuable contribution to protect the climate and the environment.
We have defined Environment, Safety, Health and Quality (ESHQ) Values, which address our responsibility for the environment and our endeavors to continuously improve our products, processes and systems. For further information see “Value chain and products“.
We have set ourselves demanding environmental targets for the period 2013 – 2020 (reference base: 2012). These provide valuable guidance for a continuous improvement in our performance to protect the climate and the environment. We are intensely monitoring and commenting their development.
Our central quantitative targets are reducing specific greenhouse gases by 12 percent and reducing specific water intake by 10 percent. Both of these targets are per metric ton of saled product. In addition, we want to achieve a further reduction in production waste.
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Evonik utilizes a comprehensive integrated ESHQ management system which is valid globally. The management system is based on statutory and normative frameworks as well as internal regulations. It thus supports a continuous improvement process regarding environmental performance.
CLIMATE CHANGE & CLIMATE PROTECTION
At the international climate conference in Paris 2015, nearly all states have commited themselves to change the world economy in a climate-friendly way.
FURTHER EMISSIONS INTO THE AIR
Alongside emissions of greenhouse gases, energy generation and industrial production result in further emissions into the air. Our goal is a further reduction and greater control of such emissions.
WATER MANAGEMENT
We are committed to responsible use of water, want to save water wherever possible and achieve a further reduction in our emissions into water. A good water supply is crucial for smooth production processes because water is one of the most important auxiliaries used in the chemical industry.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
In line with a sustainable development, we are constantly endeavoring to improve waste and material flow management.