We ensure good corporate governance by consistently integrating ESG topics into our strategy, targets, guidelines and policies. We manage risks and opportunities arising from our business activities consistently. With the help of established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) we constantly monitor our progress towards our sustainability targets.
Values and Guiding Principles
Corporate responsibility is based on shared values. Our fundamental values are defined in binding Guiding Principles. We want to ensure that everyone in our Group and with our partner companies knows how to act responsibly and respect human rights. Our Code of Conduct, our policy statement Code of Human Rights & Social Principles, and our Supplier Code of Conduct all serve to this end. The Codes also serve as the basis for our compliance management system, which guarantees that our business activities are in compliance with laws and regulations. Stakeholders are actively involved in our sustainability processes.
Organizational Set-Up
The overall responsibility for Corporate Responsibility (CR) lies with our Board of Management; it deliberates and decides on important matters pertaining to CR. The Group Corporate Responsibility (GCR) department develops Group-wide policies and guidelines with the goal of steadily advancing the corporate culture with regard to sustainable innovation and social responsibility. The GCR department belongs to the area of the Chief Executive Officer. The managements of the different business units and national companies are responsible for implementing our CR strategy. Our CR Policy provides the formal, mandatory framework for the sustainability management activities at all Group units.
Group-Wide KPIs for measuring success
You manage what you measure: Lead by this approach, we have been using Group-wide KPIs since 2009 to monitor our performance, our ESG (environmental, social, governance) KPIs (key performance indicators). They help us continue to systematically improve our performance. For example, we use specific KPIs to measure ressource consumption and -management, our sustainability efforts in the supply chain and our social activities. A complete overview of our KPIs as well as their development are published in our Corporate Responsibility Report. The two non-financial performance indicators “energy consumption” and “CO2 emissions” (Scope 1 and 2) were incorporated into the variable component of our Board of Management’s remuneration in 2021, and in 2022 were also made relevant for our executives (excluding T Mobile US).
Our measurements are based on international norms and standards
Our measurements are based on international norms and standards. Our integrated management system for Health, Safety and Environment (HSE ) contributes at Group level to making sustainability a component of all our business processes and of our employees’ everyday lives. Our Group-level HSE management system is covered by an umbrella certificate based on the international standards ISO 45001(formerly OHSAS 18001) for occupational health and safety and ISO 14001 for environmental management. For some units, it also covers international standard ISO 9001 for quality management.