At HENSOLDT, we feel it is our natural responsibility to future generations and also good business judgment to protect our environment. This is the only way to ensure and sustain long-term economic activity. That is, why we want to continuously improve the way we do business at HENSOLDT so as to reduce the environmental impact of our activities. Energy-related performance, all environmental aspects as well as the overall sustainability strategy are seen as sustainable means to achieve profitable and long-term growth.
Climate change is considered one of the greatest challenges of our time and has far-reaching consequences for resource conservation worldwide. Efficient use of the earth's natural resources and a reduction in CO2 emissions are therefore also central tasks for HENSOLDT. Global warming and its effects must be limited.
In Germany, HENSOLDT has committed itself until 2024 to
- increase the share of renewable energies to 70 percent,
- reduce CO2 emissions by 20 percent
- and to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC) by at least 20 percent.
These targets are to be expanded at Group level in the coming year and defined according to the principle of Science Based Targets (SBTi). The SBTi is an initiative and an internationally recognised standard for reducing emissions for companies.
The fulfilment of all relevant obligations in the areas of environmental protection, occupational health and safety and energy is defined in the HSE (Health, Safety, Environment) Group Policy by guidelines that are binding for all. Environment, health protection and safety are strategically controlled and coordinated centrally at group level at HENSOLDT and operationally implemented by local HSE teams worldwide. The Head of HSE, FM and Security reports directly to the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee on the achievement of HSE goals and compliance with policies.
In addition to mandatory guidelines and requirements for all divisions and employees, a large number of individual measures contribute to improving the environment.
What are we doing to protect our environment?
- Product safety is our top priority: Strict compliance with the ISO14001 guideline is of the essence, especially with regard to the assessment of the environmental impact of our products. The assessment focuses on the respective life cycles of a product. Materials such as paints, use of fuel and waste, as well as the impact on the use in water bodies is reviewed within this framework.
- In recent years, the coolants in AESA antennas have been replaced by environmentally friendly variants.
- Optimised production contributes to the reduction of hazardous substances.
- As part of HENSOLDT's "Product Environmental Compliance" (PEC), an internal team of expert’s analyses products, production procedures and processes, improves them and then rolls out these improvements throughout the company.
- Monitoring the restrictions on the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS - Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic Equipment), the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH) and the restriction of the use of substances of concern and biocides.
- Strict compliance with waste separation is just as much a matter of course as energy-conscious behaviour on the part of employees.
The HENSOLDT locations in Great Britain have also set themselves high environmental goals:
- Recycling quota of 65 percent.
- Consistent waste separation and 100 percent avoidance of landfill waste in order to comply with the particularly strict regulations of ISO 14001.
- Use of alternative cooling systems to reduce energy consumption.
In France, HENSOLDT is considered a prime example of the use of green electricity from hydrogen. With its development and production of hydrogen-based energy storage systems, NEXEYA - part of HENSOLDT since 2019 - is providing an important building block there for tomorrow's energy transition and on HENSOLDT France's path to CO2 neutrality.
What’s next?
At our production sites internationally, there are already some measures in this area and more are being planned.
In Germany, a comprehensive consumption analysis in 2021 will initially contribute to further optimisation. Further measures are:
- Voluntary compensation in areas where CO2 reduction is not possible.
- According to a new mobility concept, all company vehicles are to be electric vehicles and a charging infrastructure is to be established at the locations.
- New lighting concept for the buildings (LED lighting, motion detectors).
- Own photovoltaic systems at the sites (where possible).
- 100 percent green electricity at all German locations.
- Planned roof renovations, insulation measures and a new cooling system in production will enable further energy savings.
Safe for people, animals and the environment - this is what HENSOLDT and its products stand for
For HENSOLDT, the company motto "Detect and Protect" not only includes the protection of people, but also the protection of the environment and nature as the basis of all life. But it is not only with its "regular" products that HENSOLDT takes responsibility for people and the environment - the technology also helps to protect endangered species.
Overfishing and predatory fishing are a global challenge that must be solved. HENSOLDT's SBS radars now play an important role in protecting maritime areas - poachers no longer stand a chance in many places. For example, shellfish farms and national parks in Costa Rica are monitored to protect biodiversity and functioning ecosystems. Also in the "Hangklip Conservatory" - one of the most species-rich coasts in South Africa near Cape Town, high-tech from HENSOLDT helps to monitor the legal harvesting activities of the abalone sea snail that lives there and is coveted as a delicacy. The 8,000 hectare "Buffalo Dream Ranch" in South Africa, which is home to around 1,800 rhinos, is also protected around the clock by high-tech from HENSOLDT.
When oil is extracted, large quantities of contaminated water remain in Canada, which is stored in treatment ponds. To prevent birds from landing on the oily water surfaces of these ponds, HENSOLDT's radar technology is used. Flocks of birds are detected by the radar systems and scared away by deterrent instruments. A similar project is currently in the starting blocks to protect endangered polar bears. HENSOLDT has developed an early warning system that is already being used at a research station in Greenland as part of the East Greenland Ice-Core Project (EastGRIP). With the help of HENSOLDT's radar systems, polar bears can already be located at a distance of several kilometers.
HENSOLDT solutions and products detect threats to people, animals and nature, ensure safety and security, and also protect those who are committed to protecting us.
About HENSOLDT
HENSOLDT is a German champion in the defence industry with a leading market position in Europe and global reach. The company, headquartered in Taufkirchen near Munich, develops sensor solutions for defence and security applications. As a technology leader, HENSOLDT is also continuously expanding its portfolio in cyber and developing new products to combat a wide range of threats based on innovative approaches to data management, robotics and cybersecurity. With more than 5,600 employees, HENSOLDT generated revenues of EUR 1.2 billion in 2020. HENSOLDT is listed on SDAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Press contact
Lothar Belz
Tel.: +49 (0)731.392.3681
lothar.belz@hensoldt.net
