VAUDE honored as a pioneer for transparency

September 30, 2016 – In a nationwide ranking of sustainability reports, VAUDE has won 2nd place in the category "Small and Medium Enterprises."

Bettina Roth, Head of Quality and Chemicals Management at VAUDE, accepted the award at the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) in Berlin on September 23. The independent ranking was supported by BAMS and carried out by the Institute for Ecological Economic Development (IÖW) and the business initiative, “future – verantwortung unternehmen.” VAUDE was honored for its sustainability report’s exemplary transparency and was distinguished as a pioneer.

The ranking, which examines the degree of substance in companies’ sustainability reports, concludes that there continues to be significant gaps in the representation of companies’ supply chains. From the approximately 120 sustainability reports of German companies analyzed, six companies were honored for their transparent presentation.

VAUDE Sustainability Report

The VAUDE Sustainability Report was particularly convincing due to its systematic presentation of criteria and instruments for sustainable product design, said the jury. Praise was also given for the comprehensive discussion of environmental and social issues in the supply chain. "This award is confirmation of the excellence and quality of our sustainability report. Independent, external evaluation by experts confirms our credibility and shows us that the high expenditure of resources involved is worthwhile. It represents outstanding recognition for our entire team – virtually everyone in the company has contributed to the sustainability report so it really represents our total involvement," said Bettina Roth.

VAUDE publishes its Sustainability Report annually in accordance with the international Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 standards, which represents the highest level of transparency. Based on the key figures of the past financial year, the report provides a comprehensive picture of the company’s economic, environmental and social performance. It also provides a basis for comparison with the previous year's figures, which show how the company has developed in distinct areas.

Thorben Albrecht, State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS), highlighted the importance of good CSR reporting for sustainable corporate action:

»When management and employees are involved in the reporting process, an awareness of sustainability as an important future topic is increased and innovation is encouraged – throughout the company. Established processes are scrutinized and the social and environmental impacts are considered, including those in the supply chain.«

For Bettina Roth, Head of Quality and Chemicals Management at VAUDE, sustainability is not a competition but rather learning from best practice examples:

»The ranking also provides valuable inspiration and spurs us on to further improve our report. Especially when it comes to finding the right balance between facts and data versus an interesting presentation, because we want the report to be widely ready – this is the only way that it will gain relevance.«

The sustainability report ranking conducted by the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW) and future e.V. has evaluated and shaped the reporting of German companies regarding their social and environmental challenges and activities since 1994. It is one of the world's first criteria-based reviews of reports in which companies present their environmental and social activities and services on a voluntary basis. The IÖW and future e.V. use this ranking to pursue their goal of improving the quality and transparency of sustainability reporting.

The Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW) is a leading academic institution in the field of practical sustainability research. 45 employees work on strategies and approaches for a sustainable economy that enables a good life and preserves natural resources. The IÖW is a non-profit institute that receives no permanent basic government subsidies.

Website: www.ioew.de

future e.V. – verantwortung unternehmen is an initiative of sustainable companies which aims to develop effective and sustainable structures and to combine entrepreneurship with the needs of sustainable management.
Website: www.future-ev.de

More information on the ranking at: www.ranking-nachhaltigkeitsberichte.de

Caption and copyright photos

Cover picture:

From left to right: Michael Helbig (KfW Bankengruppe), Ursula Wilms, (Miele), Thomas Korbun (IÖW), Alexander Nick (BMW), Udo Westermann (future), Thorben Albrecht (State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs), Ulrich Walter (Lebensbaum), Gerd Scholl (IÖW), Bettina Roth (VAUDE), Christian Rinn (Rinn Beton- und Naturstein)

„Gordon Welters / IÖW“

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