Hager – Double materiality analysis underpins Hager Group’s sustainability strategy

Climate protection, sustainable sourcing and employee development: these are some of the key issues on which Hager Group has a major influence. 

At the same time, the Group’s corporate success is highly dependent on these issues. This was shown in the Group’s first double materiality assessment.
As part of the preparations for its first sustainability report, Hager Group conducted a double materiality analysis. This makes it one of the few companies in the electrical sector to have taken on this challenge.

The analysis identifies the sustainability issues that are particularly relevant to the Hager Group and assesses them in terms of their risk. Financial aspects play a role in the analysis, as do image or other non-financial aspects.

The results are an important basis for the further development of the Hager Group’s sustainability strategy. They help to set the right priorities. The sustainability strategy comprises the three areas of environment, ethics and employees. Aspects of these three pillars can also be found in the results of the double materiality analysis.

Key findings from the double materiality analysis

In order to filter out the most important sustainability aspects, the Hager Group held discussions with external and internal stakeholders. On the external side, these include customers or institutions. Internally, they include the Management Board, the Sustainability Council or the sales organisation. The results were evaluated in a matrix with regard to two criteria:

1. What kind of impact does Hager Group have on the society and the environment?

2. How high is the financial risks & opportunities for the company?

The most important areas for the Hager Group are listed below. Here, the Hager Group has a major influence and the financial risk is particularly high.

Climate action plan

The analysis showed that sustainable products and climate action play a very important role for both internal and external stakeholders. External stakeholders in particular hope that the Hager Group will take a leading role in this area.

The Hager Group already provides an answer to this in its sustainability strategy E3. In the Environment pillar, it defines clear goals and roadmaps based on the Paris Agreement. Accordingly, they are aligned with the goal of limiting the average global warming to 1.5° Celsius.

For its targets and respective measure, the Hager Group received recognition from SBTi (Science Based Target Initiative). At the beginning of 2023, the SBTi approved Hager Group’s science based short-term goals for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Find more details here.

Sustainable sourcing

A sustainable and efficient supply chain ensures that human rights and environmental standards are respected within it. An important step towards improving global supply chains was taken with the Supply Chain Act introduced in Germany. It is intended to ensure greater transparency and thus protect human rights and the environment.

Fair and safe working conditions along the entire supply chain are also an important part of Hager Group’s sustainability strategy. There are binding guidelines for responsible sourcing for suppliers. In addition, the Hager Group is increasing its efforts to use more environmentally friendly materials to manufacture its products.

Employee recruitment and development

How can the right employees be found and retained? For Hager Group, a sustainable business is only possible if the company attracts people who feel at valued and appreciated at Hager Group and can fulfil their potential. In the Employees pillar, we define measures to

• promote cooperation between young and old
• ensure personal and professional development, and
• create safe and good working conditions.

Product safety

High quality standards and safe products lay the foundation for trust. For this reason, product safety is an integral part of Hager Group’s ethical business approach. With regular quality controls and audits, the Hager Group guarantees a high standard of quality and safety.

First Hager Group sustainability report to be published

The topics identified in the double materiality analysis are not only relevant for the company’s sustainability strategy. They also form the basis of sustainability reporting. The publication of Hager Group’s first sustainability report is planned for 2023.

Source
Hager Group