KION GROUP AG
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2019
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate protection
- Occupational health and safety
- Energy efficiency
- Product responsibility
- Diversity and equal opportunities
- Supply chain sustainability
- Good governance
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2, 3) by 0.6% compared to 2018 (247,184 t CO2e vs 248,747 t CO2e). Market-based reduction of -6.0%
- Reduced total energy consumption by 0.6% compared to 2018 (2,397,983 GJ vs 2,412,433 GJ)
- Increased renewable energy share (indirectly through electricity sourcing) in Germany and Czech Republic
- New plant in Pune, India equipped with a photovoltaic system
Social Achievements
- Reduced workplace accidents resulting in at least one working day’s absence by 16.9%
- Reduced Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) to 8.7 (2018: 10.8)
- Implemented various health protection measures across operating units
Governance Achievements
- Achieved Prime Status (C+) in the sustainability rating of ISS ESG
- Inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index Series
- Continued development and implementation of the KION Group Code of Compliance
- No confirmed cases of corruption or bribery
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Stabilize LTIFR at a value below eight by 2021
- Achieve 10% and 30% women in first and second management levels below the Executive Board by 2021
- Reduce energy-related emissions (Scope 1, 2, and to an extent 3) by 30 percent by 2027 compared to 2017
Environmental Challenges
- Managing global and increasingly complex supply chains
- Finding answers to demographic change and competition for qualified young talent
- Challenges of digital transformation
- Substituting chemical substances harmful to humans or the environment
- Limited supply of fuel cells with required power output
Mitigation Strategies
- Use of EcoVadis platform to evaluate supplier sustainability performance
- HR strategy focused on employing sufficient highly qualified and motivated employees
- Ongoing activities aimed at replacing hazardous substances
- Establishment of joint venture KION Battery Systems GmbH to expand lithium-ion products and production capacities
- Continuous work on reducing environmental impact of trucks with combustion engines
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- KION Group Principles of Supplier Conduct
- EcoVadis supplier assessments
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core option, German implementation of the EU Directive on non-financial reporting requirements (CSR-RUG)
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 45001
Third-party Assurance: Deloitte GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Electrically powered trucks
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Fuel cells
- Energy-recovery systems in Dematic storage systems
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2020
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Occupational health and safety
- Employer attractiveness
- Product climate change mitigation
- Product efficiency
- Enhancing customers’ safety
- Climate change mitigation
- Environmentally and socially responsible supply chain
- Sustainable Business Development
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced total energy consumption by 10.9%
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2, 3) by 11.4% (location-based) and 24.4% (market-based)
- Reduced total water consumption by 19.3%
- Reduced total waste produced by 15.1%
Social Achievements
- Reduced Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate to 7.8 (from 8.7 in 2019)
- Illness Rate of 2.9% (slightly up from 2.8% in 2019)
- Increased percentage of female employees to 17.2% (from 16.7% in 2019)
- 65% of suppliers reviewed improved their EcoVadis rating
Governance Achievements
- Revised sustainability strategy with quantitative targets and KPIs
- Incorporated sustainability criteria into 20% of variable Executive Board and management remuneration
- Implemented a new IT-based register for recording gifts and invitations
- Revised the KION Group’s Donations and Sponsorship Policy
Climate Goals & Targets
- 30% absolute reduction of total energy related GHG emissions by 2027
- EcoVadis rating “Gold“ for all OUs and KION Group by 2027
- S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) score ≥ 70 points by 2027
- 100% certification rate ISO 14001 by 2024
- Minimum sustainability requirements for supply chain by 2023
- Minimum EcoVadis score requirement mandatory for all suppliers by 2027
- Reduce accident frequency by 5% p.a.
- 100% certification rate ISO 45001 by 2024
- EcoVadis or equivalent available for 25% top spend of strategic suppliers by 2022
Environmental Challenges
- Finding answers to demographic change and competition for qualified young talent
- Challenges of digital transformation
- Harmonising systems and processes for sustainability criteria across numerous product groups and different levels of vertical integration
- Risks regarding component availability due to single-sourcing approach for many customer-specific components
Mitigation Strategies
- HR strategy with an integrated, Group-wide approach and uniform standards
- Group-wide rollout of a standardised IT system for HR
- EcoVadis supplier management tool to evaluate sustainability performance of key suppliers
- Risk and capacity management system to work with suppliers to examine risks and develop concepts to safeguard capacity
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- KION Group Code of Compliance
- General Terms and Conditions of Purchase
- KION Group Principles of Supplier Conduct
- EcoVadis supplier assessments
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core option, SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) reporting requirements
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 45001
Third-party Assurance: An auditing firm commissioned by the KION Group Supervisory Board
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Electric forklift trucks and warehouse trucks
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Fuel cells
- Energy-recovery systems in Dematic storage and retrieval systems
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate change mitigation
- Occupational health and safety
- Product safety
- Supplier sustainability
- Diversity and equal opportunities
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced total energy-related GHG emissions by 28.6% compared to 2017 (towards a 30% target by 2027)
- Increased ISO 14001 certification rate to 72%
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2, 3.3) by 4.2% compared to 2020
Social Achievements
- Achieved an engagement score of 74 and a participation rate of 64% in the first global employee survey
- Zero cases of non-compliance with KION Group minimum employment standards
- Increased ISO 45001 certification rate to 69%
Governance Achievements
- Established a binding governance structure for sustainability across the Group
- Completed an external audit of the compliance management system in the anti-corruption section in accordance with IDW PS 980, based on ISO 19600
- Linked approximately 20% of variable short-term and long-term Executive Board and management remuneration to sustainability criteria
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve net-zero emissions (Scope 1, 2, 3) by 2050
- Reduce total energy-related GHG emissions by 30% compared to 2017 by 2027
- Increase the share of electric-powered vehicles sold annually to 90% by 2027 (ITS segment)
- 100% of Dematic’s new product/solution portfolio will be measured by sustainability-related targets by 2027 (SCS segment)
- Reduce accident frequency rate by 5% per annum
- Increase employee satisfaction to an engagement score of at least 75 and a participation rate of at least 68% by 2023
- Achieve 100% ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 certification rate by 2024
Environmental Challenges
- Global supply chain disruptions due to material shortages (e.g., electronic components)
- Limited availability of fuel cells and high cost of hydrogen infrastructure hindering wider rollout of fuel cell technology
- Meeting increasing global requirements for sustainability criteria in raw materials and products
Mitigation Strategies
- Developed tools to track missing electronic components and analyze procurement risks
- Working on solutions for smart connectivity and control of chargers to manage electricity efficiently
- Implementing EcoVadis assessments for key suppliers to evaluate sustainability performance and manage risks
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- KION Group Code of Compliance
- Principles of Supplier Conduct
- EcoVadis assessments
- Integrity and trade control checks
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core option, SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) reporting requirements in accordance with the “Industrial Machinery & Goods” sector standard (version 2018-10)
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 45001
Third-party Assurance: An auditing firm commissioned by the KION GROUP AG Supervisory Board conducted an external limited-assurance audit.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Electric forklift models (Linde X20–X35)
- STILL LXT and LXW tow tractor and transporter series
- Dematic Multishuttle 2E with standby circuit
- RapidStore UL-1200 series storage and retrieval system
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Occupational health and safety
- Talent
- Product and solution safety
- Product and solution sustainability
- Climate and energy
- Circularity
- Supply chain
- Sustainable governance
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced GHG emissions (Scope 1, 2, 3.3) by 7.0% compared to 2021
- Achieved 30% absolute reduction of energy-related GHG emissions of own operations compared to 2017 (target year 2027)
- 81% ISO 14001 certification rate
Social Achievements
- Reduced accident frequency rate to 5.8 (2021: 7.7)
- Employee engagement score of 74 (2021: 74)
- Employee survey participation rate of 77% (2021: 64%)
- No cases of non-compliance with KION Group minimum employment standards
Governance Achievements
- Achieved EcoVadis Gold rating
- S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) score of 62 (2021: 57)
- Improved CDP Climate Change score to leadership level A-
Climate Goals & Targets
- Net-zero emissions (Scope 1, 2, 3) by 2050
- 100% renewable electricity in own operations (target date not specified)
- EcoVadis “gold” rating for all OUs and the KION Group by 2027
- S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) score ≥ 70 points by 2027
- Scope 1+2 GHG emissions reduction by 4.2% per year, Scope 3 by 2.5% per year by 2030
Environmental Challenges
- Supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical factors and the COVID-19 pandemic
- Rising material and energy costs
- Increasing customer expectations regarding sustainability
Mitigation Strategies
- Implemented a three-level ESG evaluation program using EcoVadis and IntegrityNext platforms
- Developed new strategic targets aligned with SBTi criteria for GHG emission reduction
- Expanded the range of sustainable products and solutions
- Improved data quality and methodology for climate action
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- KION Group Code of Compliance
- Principles of Supplier Conduct
- Three-level ESG evaluation program
- EcoVadis and IntegrityNext platforms
- Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT)
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Hydrogen fuel cell technology
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards, SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board), TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures)
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 9001, ISO 50001 (at 14% of Group locations)
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Electric forklift trucks and warehouse trucks
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Fuel cell systems
- Hydrogen refueling stations
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate change
- Sustainable supply chain
- Circular products and business model
- Occupational health and safety
- Talent
- Product and solution safety
- Sustainable governance
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 3) by 18.2% compared to 2022
- Reduced waste produced by 25.3% compared to 2022
- Increased share of renewable energy use in own operations to 20.3% from 18.9% in 2022
- Increased ISO 14001 certification rate to 90% from 81% in 2022
- Closed the recycling loop for lithium-ion batteries through a strategic partnership with Li-Cycle Holding Corp.
- Started recycling up to 5,000 tons of used battery cells by 2030
- Developed a 24-volt fuel cell system for warehouse trucks and entered into in-house production
- Started own production of hydrogen in Aschaffenburg factory using renewable energy
Social Achievements
- Reduced accident frequency rate to 5.2 from 5.9 in 2022
- Increased ISO 45001 certification rate to 89% from 80% in 2022
- Maintained employee engagement score at 74 points, exceeding participation rate target of 80%
- No cases of non-compliance with KION Group minimum employment standards
- Implemented group-wide Diversity & Inclusion Awareness Month
- Signed the Charta der Vielfalt (Diversity Charter)
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions along its value chain (Scope 1, 2, and 3) by 2050
- Increase employee satisfaction to an engagement score of at least 75 and a participation rate of at least 80% by 2026
- Achieve near-term GHG emission reduction targets by 2030 (Scope 1+2 by 4.2% per year, Scope 3 by 2.5% per year)
- 100% EcoVadis or alternative rating for strategic and high-risk suppliers by 2023; 100% for direct suppliers by 2025
- Reduce accident frequency rate by 5% per annum
- 100% ISO 45001 certification rate by 2024
- 100% ISO 14001 certification rate by 2024
Environmental Challenges
- Supply chain disruptions
- Noise pollution in SCS segment
- Climate-related physical risks
- Transitional climate risks (market, technology, regulation, legal, reputation)
- Potential labor and human rights violations within the supply chain
- Use of PFAS
Mitigation Strategies
- ESG supplier risk management process (including EcoVadis and IntegrityNext)
- Rapid plant assessment audit procedure
- Supplier Capacity Management team
- Global Supplier Risk Management team (using Everstream Analytics)
- Development of alternative sourcing strategies
- Offering quieter solutions in SCS segment
- Continuous assessment of climate risks and opportunities
- Implementation of mitigation plans for identified risks
- Continuous monitoring of scientific and regulatory developments regarding PFAS
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 73% of high-risk suppliers covered by ESG performance assessment in 2023
Responsible Procurement
- KION Group Code of Compliance (KGCC)
- Principles of Supplier Conduct
- ESG supplier risk management process
- IntegrityNext and EcoVadis platforms
- Conflict Minerals Standard
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather
Transition Risks
- Market shifts
- Technological changes
- Regulatory changes
Opportunities
- Development of low-emission products and services
- Deployment of new technologies
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 45001
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Electric trucks with lithium-ion batteries
- Fuel cell systems for warehouse trucks
- Hydrogen production using renewable energy