Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate protection
• Resource management
• Sustainability in the supply chain
• Compliance
• Business ethics and working conditions
• Long-term financial success

Environmental Achievements

• All German locations have a certified energy management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001:2011.
• From 2021, WITTE will procure all its electricity for all production sites solely from renewable sources.

Social Achievements

• Improved in almost all dimensions in employee surveys compared to external benchmarks (country-specific and high performance).
• Introduced "Dialog-in-Process – DiP" as a three-pillar instrument for continuous communication and feedback.

Governance Achievements

• Implemented a recently developed Compliance Program.
• Regular mandatory trainings for all employees on the topics of “Ethical Company Principles” and “Fighting Corruption”.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Significant challenges in reducing Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions due to the size and complexity of the supplier network.
• Improving sustainability communication and coordination between automotive customers and their supplier base.

Mitigation Strategies

• Increasing transparency and availability of reliable data regarding Scope 3 emissions.
• Developing a sustainability audit system linked to existing supplier audits.
• Integrating additional sustainability criteria in the tendering process.
• Collaboration with suppliers to exchange best practices and develop industry standards.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Supplier Code of Conduct (SCoC)

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core option

Certifications: DIN EN ISO 14001, DIN EN ISO 50001:2011, OHSAS 18001

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 3
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• 12
• 13
• 15
• 16

WITTE is using its results from the Materiality Analysis to align its strategic planning and sustainability activities with the SDGs. By that, WITTE contributes to the achievement of the goals and ensures transparency of its own progress.

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Long-term financial success
• Responsible employer
• Climate protection and energy management
• Product responsibility and eco-design
• Sustainable supply chain management
• Environmental and resource management
• Occupational health and safety
• Governance, Risk and Compliance
• Impact in the region

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced energy-related greenhouse gas emissions by 85% (compared to base year 2019) by purchasing 100% green electricity and implementing efficiency measures.
• All WITTE locations use 100% green electricity since January 1, 2021.

Social Achievements

• Implemented a new, Group-wide WIM database to harmonize the process for suggesting improvements.
• Launched numerous communications and support campaigns on change management and the digital mindset.

Governance Achievements

• Implemented an e-learning training module on LEYA, our online learning platform, for compliance training.
• Established a GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance) Board.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Supply bottlenecks and temporary halts in production at customers' plants.
• Disruption of global supply chains and chip shortage.
• Uncertainty surrounding the war in Ukraine's impact.

Mitigation Strategies

• Biggest investment program in WITTE's history in 2021.
• Careful planning and highly flexible production processes.
• Development of the "nextWITTE" Digital Transformation Program strategy.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Supplier Code of Conduct (SCoC)
• Responsible Minerals Sourcing Policy
• Drive Sustainability initiative's SAQ 4.0

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards

Certifications: ISO 9001, IATF 16949, DIN EN ISO 50001:2018 (German locations), DIN ISO 45001:2018

Third-party Assurance: None

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 3 Good health and well-being
• 4 Quality education
• 7 Affordable and clean energy
• 8 Decent work and economic growth
• 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure
• 11 Sustainable cities and communities
• 12 Responsible consumption and production
• 13 Climate action

Activities described in the "Material topics" section contribute to these SDGs.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• flinkey digital key system

Awards & Recognition

• Not disclosed

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Compliance
• Customer & Product Safety
• Environmental Protection
• Sustainable Supply Chain Management
• Own Workforce
• Local Communities

Environmental Achievements

• 25% reduction in Scope 1 emissions group-wide
• Ruse (BG) plant became WITTE’s first carbon-neutral production plant by replacing gas-powered heating with heat pumps, saving approximately 140 tons of CO2e and 250 MWh of gas annually.
• Saved approx. 1 GWh of gas by optimizing the “Power Wash” process in Ostrov (CZ) paint shop using cold water instead of hot water.
• Saved over 190 MWh electricity per year in Wülfrath (DE) with a new lighting concept and 110 MWh p.a. by optimizing machine utilization.
• Saved around 200 MWh of electricity at Bitburg (DE) by replacing and optimizing injection molding machines.
• Significant reduction in gas consumption in Nejdek (CZ) due to roof renovation.
• Increased proportion of electric and hybrid vehicles in the fleet.
• Significant efficiency gains at Velbert (DE) headquarters with heat pumps and optimized heating system control.
• Reduced waste volumes by around 15.4% compared to 2019 despite exceeding pre-COVID production levels in 2023.
• Decreased hazardous waste in 2023 by successfully reducing the use of hazardous substances or replacing them with safer alternatives.
• Increased the amount and overall share of recycled plastics in plastics purchasing volume significantly.

Social Achievements

• Updated and significantly expanded Supplier Code of Conduct (SCoC), containing a comprehensive set of sustainability requirements and standards.
• SCoC signed by 76% of serial suppliers by the end of 2023.
• Implemented the Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) of the Drive Sustainability Initiative and added a Sustainability Score to the supplier scorecard.
• Provided SSCM trainings to WITTE employees and suppliers.
• Implemented new programs, processes and initiatives in the areas of “Development & Training”, “Skill & Competence Assessment” and “Talent Management & Succession Planning”.
• Expanded training programs to include lateral managers, specialists and high potentials.
• Introduced mentoring as a development tool for high-potential employees.
• Implemented leadership feedback approach.
• Added Udemy online e-learning platform to learning formats.
• Launched #weareexcellent and #whoknowsteaches initiatives for knowledge sharing among employees.

Governance Achievements

• Developed new quantitative Sustainability Performance Indicators for central functions (Purchasing, Product Development, Sales).
• Further developed Sustainable Supply Chain Management Strategy within the framework of the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Law.
• Updated existing and established new processes to increase transparency, mitigate risks and improve sustainability performance of direct and indirect suppliers.
• Revised and sharpened sustainability strategy based on materiality analysis results.
• Improved and maintained B level score in the CDP Climate Change Report.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• High investment costs, long payback periods and equipment lifecycle considerations for transitioning to renewable energy sources.
• Majority of negative impacts and sustainability risks lie in the upstream supply chain.
• High response rate for SAQ from suppliers.
• Ongoing increase in Scope 3 emissions due to increased production volumes, more complex products with emission-intensive materials, and limited availability of economically viable low-emission alternatives.
• Balancing awarding criteria with compliance with WITTE’s and customers’ sustainability requirements.

Mitigation Strategies

• Focusing on increasing energy efficiency and using/expanding green energy production and procurement.
• Supplier engagement and collaboration.
• Partnering with NQC and using SupplierASSURANCE platform for SAQ management.
• Implementing measures to increase material efficiency and select mechanical and chemical recycled resins.
• Optimizing packaging and transport materials.
• Implementing a comprehensive risk management system and preventive measures in the supply chain.
• Providing trainings to suppliers and employees.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 51 suppliers assessed using SAQ 5.0 in 2023 (64% of annual purchasing volume)

Responsible Procurement

• Supplier Code of Conduct
• Responsible Minerals Sourcing Policy
• Sustainability criteria in supplier selection and awarding process
• Sustainability agreements with direct suppliers

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards (SRS)

Certifications: ISO 9001, IATF 16949, DIN EN ISO 50001:2018, DIN ISO 14001:2015, DIN ISO 45001:2018

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 3
• SDG 4
• SDG 8
• SDG 10
• SDG 12
• SDG 13

Initiatives contribute to goals related to good health and well-being, quality education, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, responsible consumption and production, and climate action.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Outer door handle using chemical recycled and biomass-based plastics