Climate change is among the main challenges that society is currently facing and, to combat this problem, new technologies are a great ally. The subject was addressed by Siemens Global Director of Human Resources and Sustainability, Judith Wiese (photo), in her presentation during the second day of the Siemens Innovation Forum, this Wednesday, 25. The executive highlighted the importance of companies adopting sustainable businesses, where digitization is currently the main driver for the decarbonization of activities.

"At Siemens, we believe that innovation and technology are the strongest levers we have against the environmental problems we face today. And the good news is that the technologies we need to end climate change are already available," said Wiese. "Of all the challenges we face today, this is one of the most urgent and complex to solve. Hence the importance of having sustainable businesses", she pointed out, after citing recent natural disasters such as floods in Germany and forest fires in the western United States.

In addition to the initiatives carried out internally at Siemens, Judith also highlighted the role that the company has played with customers and partners to transform their industries and infrastructure in order to use fewer resources, reduce energy consumption and reduce its carbon footprint. These goals are achieved by digitizing and implementing new technologies, which generate greater productivity, efficiency, quality, flexibility and business resilience.

One sample is the results obtained by the company itself. In September 2015, Siemens was one of the first global industries to announce its intention to become carbon neutral in its operating businesses by 2030, with an interim target of cutting CO2 emissions in half by 2020. This index was surpassed in September last year by reducing emissions by 54%. In the Brazilian operation, the results were even higher, where this rate of reduction was 84%. With this, Siemens assumed the commitment to neutralize emissions by 2025, anticipating by five years the goal established globally.

The Siemens executive also commented on how much the company has been helping the market with decarbonization. Through the environmental portfolio installed at customer units, Siemens has already helped reduce CO2 emissions by 149.6 million tons in 2020. In addition, the company aims to achieve an emissions-free supply chain by 2050, and today the company has 65,000 suppliers worldwide.

ESG is imperative 

Siemens' Global Director of Human Resources and Sustainability also commented on the implementation of the new DEGREE structure two months ago, which stands for Decarbonization, Ethics, Governance, Efficient Resources, Equity and Employability. The initiative aims to be the basis for actions aligned with ESG practices in all of the company's businesses, and which will permeate all activities with customers, suppliers, investors, employees and the communities where it operates.

"Advancing sustainability is not an option, it is a business imperative. And it is these companies that are creating sustainable business models that will define the future," said Judith. "When it comes to sustainability, all aspects of ESG are important: Environmental, Social and Governance," added Siemens Global Director of Human Resources and Sustainability.