ABB Archives - SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine Insights on how you can protect the environment, maintain and increase the value of your company, through a structured CSR/Sustainability process with the use of the GRI Standards. Learn how Today's Best-Run Companies are achieving Economic, Social, and Environmental Success - and How You Can Too... Thu, 23 Feb 2023 08:41:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Case study: How ABB promotes sustainability across its supply chain https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-abb-promotes-sustainability-across-its-supply-chain/ Thu, 23 May 2019 06:12:00 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=9490 As a technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, operating in over 100 countries with approximately 135,000 employees, This case study is based on the 2017 Sustainability Report by ABB published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing. Abstract ABB has embedded its sustainability policies into all relevant procedures and, […]

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]]> As a technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, operating in over 100 countries with approximately 135,000 employees, ABB works closely with its suppliers to make sure its sustainability expectations, ambitions and targets are understood and met.  Tweet This!

This case study is based on the 2017 Sustainability Report by ABB published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

ABB has embedded its sustainability policies into all relevant procedures and, as such, pays close attention to the sustainability performance of its suppliers. In order to promote sustainability across its supply chain ABB took action to:

  • develop a Supplier Code of Conduct
  • implement a Supplier Sustainability Development Programme

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2017 Sustainability Report ABB identified a range of material issues, such as products, services and solutions, energy efficiency and climate change, integrity, human rights. Among these, promoting sustainability across its supply chain stands out as a key material issue for ABB.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups ABB engages with:

Stakeholder Group
ABB employees
Customers
Suppliers
Business partners
Communities

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics ABB created a sustainability report review panel, comprising key external stakeholders. The panel reviewed ABB’s most material topics, providing feedback and making recommendations.

What actions were taken by ABB to promote sustainability across its supply chain?

In its 2017 Sustainability Report ABB reports that it took the following actions for promoting sustainability across its supply chain:

  • Developing a Supplier Code of Conduct
  • ABB’s mandatory Supplier Code of Conduct (SCoC) is published in 16 different languages and communicates ABB’s expectations, ambitions and performance targets to existing and potential business partners. All new suppliers are required to complete ABB’s supplier qualification process, through which ABB assesses, along with other business parameters, the sustainability performance of potential business partners at the initial selection stage. To become qualified to do business with ABB, new suppliers must certify their compliance with the SCoC.
  • Implementing a Supplier Sustainability Development Programme
  • ABB implements a rigorous Supplier Sustainability Development Programme (SSDP), to proactively identify and resolve sustainability risks with high-risk suppliers. This targeted intervention programme includes training and on-site assessments, to identify areas for improvement and ensure continuous monitoring. The SSDP assesses the sustainability performance of high- risk suppliers on 42 parameters, linked to ABB’s SCoC. These parameters cover general management, working conditions, health, safety and environment and related key local regulatory requirements. In addition, ABB developed special training to strengthen suppliers’ knowledge of local regulatory requirements and ABB’s parameters. Accordingly, every year ABB trains, coaches and assesses hundreds of suppliers on sustainability topics, closing old risks and identifying new ones. In 2017, ABB expanded the SSDP’s footprint to three more countries: Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. ABB assessed 243 suppliers, identified 833 risks and mitigated 702 of them. In other activities to promote responsible sourcing, ABB trained 533 employees and 327 suppliers during the year. After analysing the data collected during ABB’s supplier assessments, the most frequent serious issues identified were a lack of understanding of the environmental and occupational health and safety (OHS) risk assessments, and a failure to comprehend statutory requirements and legal frameworks. To address this, ABB continued to raise awareness through initiatives such as its specially designed OHS workshops, and also developed and implemented a special workshop in India on statutory and legal frameworks.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 308-1 New suppliers that were screened using environmental criteria

2) Disclosure 414-1 New suppliers that were screened using social criteria

 

Disclosure 308-1 New suppliers that were screened using environmental criteria does not correspond to any SDG.

Disclosure 414-1 New suppliers that were screened using social criteria corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • Business theme: Workplace violence and harassment
  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
  • Business theme: Labor practices in the supply chain
  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Business theme: Workplace violence and harassment

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.

 

References:

1) This case study is based on published information by ABB, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2)  https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to ABB: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How ABB promotes sustainability across its supply chain appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How ABB improves energy efficiency in its operations https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-abb-improves-energy-efficiency-in-its-operations/ Thu, 10 Jan 2019 15:25:16 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=8551 As a global technology leader, whose portfolio ranges from switches to industrial robots and from transmission and distribution networks to software that manages entire factories, helping customers address 
the challenges of changing markets, technologies and regulations, This case study is based on the 2015 Sustainability Performance Report by ABB published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and […]

The post Case study: How ABB improves energy efficiency in its operations appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

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As a global technology leader, whose portfolio ranges from switches to industrial robots and from transmission and distribution networks to software that manages entire factories, helping customers address 
the challenges of changing markets, technologies and regulations, ABB works hard to improve the energy efficiency and reduce the carbon intensity of its operations.  Tweet This!

This case study is based on the 2015 Sustainability Performance Report by ABB published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Layout 1

Abstract

ABB has set a target to reduce energy intensity by 20% by 2020, from a 2013 baseline. This goal includes direct fuel consumption, and the use of electricity and district heating for manufacturing processes and to operate buildings. In order to improve energy efficiency in its operations ABB took action to:

  • implement energy efficiency projects
  • apply energy-efficient lighting solutions
  • review processes and invest in new technology
  • implement energy savings plans

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2015 Sustainability Performance Report ABB identified a range of material issues, such as products and services, responsible sourcing, human rights, integrity. Among these, improving energy efficiency in its operations stands out as a key material issue for ABB.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups ABB engages with:

Stakeholder Group
ABB employees
Customers
Suppliers
Investors
Civil society

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics ABB engaged with its stakeholders through a sustainability report review panel, whose members represented key market and non-market stakeholders.

What actions were taken by ABB to improve energy efficiency in its operations?

In its 2015 Sustainability Performance Report ABB reports that it took the following actions for improving energy efficiency in its operations:

  • Implementing energy efficiency projects
  • During 2015, ABB implemented over 190 individual energy efficiency projects that resulted in 32.2 GWh of energy savings. These projects focused on the efficiency of compressed air systems and heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) processes, and on the energy efficiency of ABB’s buildings, including heat recovery from machines and processes. ABB also achieves energy savings as side benefits in other projects. At its robotics operation in Västerås, Sweden, a programme designed to improve water filtration and cleaning in degreasing processes also helped ABB achieve a 75% reduction in energy used to heat the cleaning water. At ABB’s factory in Roigheim, Germany, changing a raw material to improve product quality also helped the facility save approximately 220 MWh during manufacturing processes.
  • Applying energy-efficient lighting solutions
  • ABB’s energy-efficient lighting solutions involve increased use of daylighting, replacing old lighting with LED technology, and implementing lighting control systems. For example, at ABB’s production facility in Turgi, Switzerland, ABB and Philips developed a new lighting system that provides better illumination of the production hall while significantly reducing electricity consumption, cutting annual electricity costs and associated CO2 emissions of the production hall by 50%.
  • Reviewing processes and investing in new technology
  • Many ABB facilities carry out comprehensive reviews of processes and infrastructure to achieve energy savings. For example, ABB’s medium-voltage products plant in Nashik, India, upgraded its lighting system, installed more efficient HVAC technologies, modified the fume extraction system, developed new standby programmes for energy-intensive processes and invested in new technology to control conditions in its cleanroom. These actions reduced electricity consumption by over 50%, eliminated 54,000 litres of diesel consumption and saved over 1,200 MWh per year.
  • Implementing energy savings plans
  • All ABB manufacturing, workshop and office facilities implement energy savings plans and assess the main sources of GHG emissions, developing action plans to reduce them. Improvement activities across ABB facilities include conducting feasibility studies, modifying processes, updating equipment and infrastructure, working with suppliers and changing behaviours.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 302-1 Energy consumption within the organization

2) Disclosure 302-3 Energy intensity

3) Disclosure 302-4 Reduction of energy consumption

 

Disclosure 302-1 Energy consumption within the organization corresponds to:

Disclosure 302-3 Energy intensity corresponds to:

Disclosure 302-4 Reduction of energy consumption corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.

 

References:

1) This case study is based on published information by ABB, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) http://www.fbrh.co.uk/en/global-reporting-initiative-gri-g4-guidelines-download-page

3) https://g4.globalreporting.org/Pages/default.aspx

4) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to ABB: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How ABB improves energy efficiency in its operations appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How ABB promotes business integrity https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-abb-ensures-business-integrity/ Mon, 19 Dec 2016 07:47:06 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=2087 ABB is a global technology leader in power and automation, with customers in over 100 countries and approximately 135,000 employees. As a result, promoting business integrity, building an ethical culture for both its employees and the company’s business partners, is a key priority. This case study is based on the 2015 Sustainability Performance Report by ABB published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate that CSR/ sustainability reporting done responsibly is achieved by identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment and stakeholders and by measuring, […]

The post Case study: How ABB promotes business integrity appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> ABB is a global technology leader in power and automation, with customers in over 100 countries and approximately 135,000 employees. As a result, promoting business integrity, building an ethical culture for both its employees and the company’s business partners, is a key priority.

This case study is based on the 2015 Sustainability Performance Report by ABB published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate that CSR/ sustainability reporting done responsibly is achieved by identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment and stakeholders and by measuring, managing and changing. 

Abstract

Creating a culture of ethics, integrity and compliance for both its employees and its business partners is a top priority for ABB. In order to promote business integrity ABB took action to:

  • prevent non-compliant behaviour through training and communication
  • detect integrity issues through anti-bribery reviews and a range of reporting channels
  • show zero tolerance for non-compliance and corruption
  • promote integrity in the industries in which ABB operates

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2015 Sustainability Performance Report ABB identified a range of material issues, such as responsible sourcing, human rights, products and services, energy efficiency and climate change. Among these, as a global technology leader, operating in more than 100 countries and employing around 135,000 people, promoting business integrity stands out as a key material issue for ABB.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The organization should identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups ABB engages with:

Stakeholder Group
ABB employees
Customers
Suppliers
Investors
Civil society (including NGOs, international organizations, sustainability experts and young people)

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

In 2015 ABB created a sustainability report review panel, consisting of representatives of the company’s key stakeholders, who reviewed and provided feedback on ABB’s material issues and the company’s 2015 Sustainability Performance Report.

What actions were taken by ABB to promote business integrity?

In its 2015 Sustainability Performance Report ABB reports that it took the following actions for promoting business integrity:

  • Preventing non-compliant behaviour through training and communication
  • All new ABB employees must, in their first three months in the company, complete training on ABB’s Code of Conduct through both online e-learning and face-to-face training.
  • [tweetthis]2014 & 2015: 97% of ABB’s employees completed anti-bribery training[/tweetthis] (Global Anti-Bribery: Don’t Look the Other Way online training was provided for white collar employees and face-to-face training on ABB’s Code of Conduct was completed by blue collar employees).
  • 2015:  A new, cloud-based tool relating to the preapproval of gifts, entertainment and expenses was piloted by ABB.

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  • Detecting integrity issues through anti-bribery reviews and a range of reporting channels
  • ABB’s internal audit department reviews business units and processes, accounts, balances and transactions to detect breaches of ABB’s anti-bribery policies.
  • Both employees and external business partners are able to report any integrity concerns through a 24/7 business ethics hotline and a stakeholder hotline, respectively.
  • Showing zero tolerance for non-compliance and corruption
  • ABB’s Office of Special Investigations (OSI) conducts the relevant investigations at a global level and, in case disciplinary action is taken, it is in accordance with ABB’s Human Resources Disciplinary Protocol.
  • Promoting integrity in the industries in which ABB operates
  • ABB is a founding member of the Partnering Against Corruption Initiative and of Ethics and Compliance Switzerland.

Which GRI indicators/Standards have been addressed?

The GRI indicators/Standards addressed in this case are:

1) G4-56: Describe the organization’s values, principles, standards and norms of behaviour such as codes of conduct and codes of ethics – the updated GRI Standard is: Disclosure 102-16 Values, principles, standards, and norms of behavior

2) G4-58: Report the internal and external mechanisms for reporting concerns about unethical or unlawful behavior, and matters related to organizational integrity, such as escalation through line management, whistleblowing mechanisms or hotlines – the updated GRI Standard is: Disclosure 102-17 Mechanisms for advice and concerns about ethics

3) G4-SO4: Communication and training on anti-corruption policies and procedures – the updated GRI Standard is: Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

 

References:

1) This case study is based on published information by ABB, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) http://www.fbrh.co.uk/en/global-reporting-initiative-gri-g4-guidelines-download-page

3) https://g4.globalreporting.org/Pages/default.aspx

4) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to ABB: With each case study we send out an email to your listed address in request for a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How ABB promotes business integrity appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

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