Aiming high for better results
Aiming high for better results
How Knauf Insulation is supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals
Knauf Insulation supports the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by United Nations Member States. The goals focus on ending poverty, addressing social needs, tackling climate change and ensuring peace and opportunity for everyone. The SDGs are an ambitious call to action to build economic growth that promotes prosperity for everyone while protecting the planet. The UN describes them as the “world’s best plan to build a better world for people and our planet by 2030”. We want to help.
Sustainability is a process of continuous improvement. Setting targets is just the start. At Knauf Insulation we are committed to constantly finding new ways to drive change. It is something we have been doing for nearly a decade.
A DECADE AGO
Our sustainability journey started in 2009 with the launch of our ECOSE Technology®, a revolutionary bio-based binder with no added formaldehyde. Two years later came a recognition that after a decade of significant growth we needed to think differently about the future of our business.
A NEW FOCUS
Drawing on expertise from across the company in 2011, we set long-term aims that focused on more sustainable operations — from zero carbon and enhanced management systems to employee welfare and products with a low environmental impact across their lifecycle. We also committed to lead the charge in energy efficiency.
TARGETING CHANGE
Promising ambition was easy, but we wanted to demonstrate concrete commitment. In 2012 we established mid-term targets for 2020 focusing on reducing energy use, CO2 emissions, Lost Time Accidents (LTA), waste to landfill and water discharge.
YEARS OF SUCCESS
By 2016 we had achieved two critical successes — four years ahead of our deadline — and cut our CO2 and energy use by 20% against our 2010 baseline. A year later, we achieved our target to reduce LTAs by 50%.
UNITED NATIONS’ GOALS
In 2017 we aligned our strategy with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) adopted by United Nations Member States. The goals set specific targets for 2030 and are described by the UN as a “blueprint for a better more sustainable future for all” focusing on issues of poverty, inequality, climate action and environmental responsibility.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Over the years we have learned how sustainability is a process of continuous improvement that requires everybody’s expertise and involvement. We have constantly found new ways to drive change and keep sustainability at the heart of everything we do. Setting targets was just the start — maintaining continuous momentum has been key to our success.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
As we come to the end of our mid-term targets, sustainability issues continue to force companies to go beyond business as usual. At Knauf Insulation we are preparing to strengthen our commitment to sustainability by defining new milestone targets for 2025. Our journey continues.
Healthy lives
Our solutions support creating comfortable and healthy indoor environments and tackle noise pollution – all essential to well-being and comfort of residents.
Tackling fuel poverty
Everyone should be able to afford to make their home comfortable. We campaign to reduce
fuel poverty – a crisis that impacts 11% of Europeans.
Better buildings
Energy efficient buildings should be the priority of every government. We consistently campaign to put building energy efficiency at the heart of policy agendas.
Urban resilience
Energy efficient buildings are critical to sustainable and future-proof urban development – our solutions have an important role to play.
More with less
Our Glass Mineral Wool is created from up to 80% recycled material and our Rock Mineral Wool contains recycled steel slag.
Cutting emissions
Our solutions reduce emissions from buildings and tackle climate change. We have cut our own emissions by over 20%.
Stop deforestation
We use wood mainly certified by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification to ensure our Heraklith Wood Wool products are sustainable.
Ethical conduct
As a company we do not tolerate discrimination, bribery or corruption. We are committed to fair competition, ethical and lawful conduct.
Partners for change
We work with policymakers and non-profit organisations to promote sustainable buildings, better building fire safety and improved energy efficiency.
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Discover the rest of our Annual Review 2019