General basis for preparation of the Sustainability Statement (BP-1)
Our Sustainability Statement is prepared on a consolidated basis. The scope of consolidation corresponds to our financial reporting. The Sustainability Statement covers our own business operations. Based on our double materiality analysis, the reporting extends to the upstream and downstream value chain where applicable in the respective policies, actions, metrics and targets. More information is provided in the respective topical chapters.
Disclosures in relation to specific circumstances (BP-2)
We define the time horizon of impacts, risks and opportunities (IROs) in our materiality analysis in accordance with the requirements of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS): short-term (1–2 years), medium-term (3–5 years) and long-term (more than 5 years). With regard to risks and opportunities, we apply a more differentiated definition for long-term to align it with our risk management approach: We distinguish between more than 5–15 years and more than 15 years.
To calculate our energy mix, we use estimates by relying on external sources such as “Our World in Data” (see E1-5). For the metrics related to renewable and non-renewable energy production, we used estimates also based on industry averages data. For the Scope 3 emissions category 11, which pertain to the use of products sold, we use estimates based on internal expert assessments of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy consumption, and sales volumes. For the metrics related to resource inflows, we used estimations regarding the percentage of biological and reused or recycled materials (see E5-4). There are no significant measurement uncertainties in relation to quantitative data and monetary amounts. Our previous reporting was carried out in accordance with sections 315b and 315c in conjunction with 289b to 289e of the German Commercial Code (HGB) and in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The adoption of the ESRS resulted in changes to our reporting in terms of certain disclosures. Due to applying the new reporting requirements, we refrain from disclosing adjusted comparative figures.
In addition to the information in accordance with ESRS, we provide information based on the standards of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). In doing so, we intend to meet the increasing transparency expectations of various investor groups and other stakeholders. The GRI, TCFD and SASB disclosure are reported under “Other Information” and were not part of the limited assurance engagement conducted by Deloitte for our Sustainability Statement. We also base our process and data on the ISO standards ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 9001, and ISO 50001. The corresponding certifications are validated by external auditors and reported in the appropriate places in this Sustainability Statement.
We included information on the following disclosure requirement by reference:
Information about key elements of our business model and value chain (ESRS 2 SBM-1 38, 40a i-ii and 42a-c) can be found under Company Profile and Structure in the section “Fundamental Information about the Group”.