Energy and material savings are now part of everyday business in Germany. However, the path toward sustainability has so far generally taken place without a specific plan. According to the current study “Companies in Transition,” only 26 percent of companies consistently pursue an overall green strategy. For the study, business consultancy Staufen surveyed more than 350 top executives of German companies.
The pressure on companies is growing: Society and politics are demanding sustainable business practices from them. “In the future, business models will be measured not only by whether they are profitable. They also have to be environmentally friendly and socially acceptable,” says Wilhelm Goschy, CEO of Staufen AG.
Many companies are already pursuing individual ecological goals. For example, six out of ten companies are working towards a CO2-neutral energy supply.
More than half recycle materials used, and transparency of environmental metrics and reduction of water use are also important to many. But this is not yet enough for a holistic green transformation.
“In addition to the lack of consistency to date, it is almost more alarming that 25 percent of the companies we surveyed have yet to define any green goals at all,” said Staufen CEO Goschy.
One third of the companies are currently developing a transformation roadmap. But 17 percent lack consistent implementation despite having a strategy in place.
In the race to maintain international competitiveness, important time is lost. “Without the necessary change, no company can survive even in the medium term,” Goschy warns.
Only one-fifth of companies are making an upfront commitment to the green transition
“Of central importance to the transformation is the decarbonization of the value chains,” the Staufen board member continued.
“However, many organizations still see a perceived lack of commercial viability as an obstacle to consistently addressing change. While some industrial companies are no longer investing in existing technologies, they are, on the other hand, hesitant to make carbon-neutral investments such as production processes using green hydrogen.”
So far, only 19 percent of the companies surveyed feel they are green pioneers, according to the Staufen study. Three quarters of respondents, on the other hand, describe their company as a “green followers.” In other words, organizations that wait to see what framework conditions are set by policymakers before redefining the scope of their business models and then simply copy the green pioneers.
Management Consultant Goschy: “Time is running out. It is crucial that companies address change now in a consistent and holistic manner. Otherwise, they won’t be able to keep up with the pace of the green transformation.”
About the study “Companies in Transition”
For the current study “Companies in Transition,” business consultancy Staufen surveyed a total of 363 companies in Germany. Of the companies surveyed, 68 percent come from the mechanical and plant engineering, electrical engineering, and automotive industries.
The study is available for download free of charge:
For more information:
STAUFEN.AG
Beratung.Akademie.Beteiligung.
Stephanie König
Blumenstr. 5
D-73257 Köngen
Mobile: +49 1522 2887 350
s.koenig@staufen.ag
Press:
Thöring & Stuhr
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Arne Stuhr
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D-20148 Hamburg
Mobile: +49 177 3055 194
arne.stuhr@corpnewsmedia.de
About Staufen AG – www.staufen.ag
Inside every company there is an even better one. With this conviction, Staufen AG has been advising and qualifying companies and employees for more than 25 years. Markets are on the move – the competitive pressure is enormous. Staufen helps to quickly bring about the right changes, increase productivity, improve quality, and increase innovative strength. With the most fitting strategies and methods, international transformation consulting ensures rapid and measurable success. With an aim towards raising the potential available in every company, Staufen consultants work side-by-side with company executives and employees to establish a vibrant and long-term culture of change. The Academy of Staufen AG also offers certified, practice-oriented training courses. From the international locations, more than 320 employees serve customers all over the world. In 2021, Staufen AG was recognized by “brand eins” as “Best Consultants” for the seventh year in a row. According to the renowned industry study “Hidden Champions 2022/23,” the consulting firm is Germany’s best Lean Management consultancy and was honored several times with the “Best of Consulting” award by the “Wirtschaftswoche” journal.
