u-blox Holding AG
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2022-03-31 to 2023-03-31, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2022-03-31 to 2023-03-31
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:420 t CO2e (location-based) / 430 t CO2e (market-based)
Scope 1 Emissions:106 t CO2e
Scope 2 Emissions:314 t CO2e (location-based) / 324 t CO2e (market-based)
Renewable Energy Share:91% (for module production at Flex Ltd.)
ESG Focus Areas
- Business Ethics, Privacy, and Security
- Employees
- Environmental Responsibility
- Supply Chain Responsibility
- Community
Environmental Achievements
- Implemented "Prevent, Minimize, Offset" strategy for 4 sites (Thalwil, Sgonico, Malmö, and Berlin)
- Calculated baseline for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 1 & 2)
- 91% of modules produced with 100% renewable energy at Flex Ltd.
Social Achievements
- Trained 51.04% of staff in non-violent communication techniques (exceeding 40% target)
- Expanded uGive program for employee community engagement
- Supported various humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine, Pakistan, Turkey, and Syria
Governance Achievements
- Updated Supplier Code of Conduct aligned with RBA best practices and UN Global Compact principles
- Implemented Speak Up whistle-blower program with no misconduct reported in 2022
- Fully complies with gender pay equity requirements in Switzerland
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Achieve climate neutrality by 2050
Medium-term Goals:
- Reduce CO2 footprint by 2030
- Define long-term business ethics and supply chain strategy for 2023-2030
Short-term Goals:
- Update Supplier Code of Conduct and run audits
Environmental Challenges
- Gender imbalance in workforce, particularly in engineering roles
- Indirect CO2 emissions through manufacturing partners
- Supply chain risks related to ESG factors (social, environmental, health and safety, ethical)
Mitigation Strategies
- Implementing recruitment, training, mentoring, and retention strategies to address gender imbalance
- Partnering with top-tier manufacturers with leading environmental compliance and governance systems
- Conducting supplier risk assessments and desk research to identify and address supply chain risks
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct based on RBA Code of Conduct
- Due diligence process for supplier selection
- Focus on conflict-free minerals
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, UN Global Compact
Certifications: ISO 14001 (suppliers)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
- SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
- SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
- SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)
- SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
- SDG 13 (Climate Action)
- SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)
u-blox's initiatives contribute to these goals through various partnerships and programs
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Energy-efficient cooking stoves (ADES)
Awards & Recognition
- ADES awarded .ORG Organization of the Year 2021
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Business Ethics, Privacy and Data Security
- People and Communities
- Environmental Responsibility
- Responsible Supply Chain
- u-blox Innovations
Environmental Achievements
- Measurement of CO2 emissions of flights: “Prevent, Minimize, Offset” strategy for 2 sites (Thalwil, Berlin)
- Definition of “CO2 zero by 2050” strategy and measurement parameters
Social Achievements
- Updated Code of Conduct
- Company-wide business ethics training
- A series of 13 IT audits as a prerequisite for the ISO 27000 certification
- Establishment of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council to advance DE&I practice across our organization worldwide
- Intensified communication with key contract manufacturing partners and component suppliers about their Code of Conduct practices
- Triggered a voluntary supply chain sustainability self-assessment to benchmark our improvement
- Progress in better understanding the barriers for young women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
- Supporting the >>venture>> foundation, an NGO dedicated to empowering young entrepreneurial Swiss students and startups
- Corporate giving donations in support of the International Red Cross organization’s disaster aid in Slovenia and Pakistan
- u-blox employees generously donated their time to charitable organizations in their communities around the world
Governance Achievements
- First u-blox Sustainability Report published following the requirements of the new Swiss legislation in the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO) Art. 964 and in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Net zero emissions by 2050
Environmental Challenges
- Significant overstocking by customers generated lower demand for u-blox products, especially in the first half of the year.
- Revenue slowdown marked by regional differences (Americas saw a revenue decline of –35.3% due to overstocking at industrial customers and a weak consumer business).
Mitigation Strategies
- Initiated measures targeting double-digit million cost savings to be effective in 2024.
- Secured a new CHF 140 million credit facility from a syndicate of banks led by Zürcher Kantonalbank.
- Refined strategy with increased focus on positioning business and discontinuation of cellular chip development.
- Targeting to improve procurement activities through process optimization and establishing a design-to-cost toolset.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Intensified communication with key contract manufacturing partners and component suppliers about their Code of Conduct practices
- Triggered a voluntary supply chain sustainability self-assessment to benchmark our improvement
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards