Sustainability at elobau

We report according to the standards of the common good economy

Videos and Podcasts

Sustainability | Means making a serious effort | elobau

News

Sustainability in medium-sized businesses – best practice at elobau

5/14/2021

Advisory Board Chairman Michael Hetzer and Managing Directors Dr Thilo Ittner & Rüdiger answer questions on ...

Architekten und Bauherr mit der Auszeichung des Bundes

News

Architecture Prize of the German Government for “Plant II Extension”

5/20/2021

The extension of elobau's Plant II in Leutkirch was awarded the prize in the category "Commercial Buildings - ...

Kamerateam von arte bei elobau beim Filmen der Bienen

News

Purpose over profit – arte films at elobau

10/22/2020

As part of a report on the topic of “Purpose ownership,” a crew from the TV station arte filmed for ...

Our path to sustainability

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

2009

Creation of a master plan with the goal of CO₂ reduction // Development of a climate balance sheet

2010

Purchase of 100% green electricity // Acquisition of a solar park // First certification according to ISO 14001 (environmental management) // No fossil fuels for heating purposes

2011

elobau becomes a partner in the Vision Forest in Costa Rica // Move to a sustainable credit institution

2012

Launch of the elobau e-vehicle fleet // Support for the plant-for-the-planet campaign

2013

First year with balance sheet electricity surplus // Certification according to ISO 50001 (energy management) // Energy-Plus new building wins award for ecologically trend-setting construction of commercial properties

2014

Job bike // Company car directive (CO2 limit/SUV ban) // First sustainability report (DNK)

2015

Second energy-plus building // Specially programmed energy monitoring

2016

Toolmaking in Thüringen moves into third energy-plus building // Nomination for German NH Award // Membership in the Gemeinwohlökonomie // elobau becomes a foundation company

2017

Newly developed modular armrest MA225 made of 70 % bio-based plastic // Mobility tracking of employees

2018

Opening of an organic canteen // Publication of the second Common Good Economy Balance Sheet (GWÖ)

2019

Extension of plant 2 as an energy-plus building in timber construction // Conversion of the energy and environmental management system to EMAS

2020

Eco-Design Study // Life-Cycle Assessment // Third GWÖ Balance // Kick-Off Sustainable Customer Classification

2021

Analysis of the supply chain until Tier-n // Fleet policy, no fossil fuels // Focus on recycled materials

What does sustainability mean for us in real terms?

We are a foundation company firmly established in the region. With this background, we feel compelled as a company to assume responsibilities that go far beyond our immediate areas of commercial operation. When we talk about sustainability, we mean three main areas: economy, ecology and social responsibility.

Our current understanding of sustainability envisions an equal emphasis on ecology, society and the economy. Over the long term, a reduction of CO2 emissions only involves a slow-down of progressive climate changes. Physical laws dictate that we cannot draw more resources from nature than nature can replace. For our Vision 2030, we, therefore, view ecology as a cornerstone of responsible social and corporate action. Social stability requires an intact ecological system. And social stability is a prerequisite for economic activity. Our Vision 2030 therefore seeks to prioritise sustainability. We intend to communicate this only after comprehensive and effective implementation, although our individual decision-making process is already founded on this precept.

Preparation of our sustainability report and common good balance sheet 2022

We used the first elobau Common Good Report with ECG Standard 5.0 as the basis for the third report. The report was drafted and developed jointly in a cross-department project. The project took approximately 400 hours of work.

Sustainability report elobau 2022 | PDF 7 MB

8.000 t CO2 compensated
1,000 football fields of rain forest in Costa Rica *Our compensation of 8,000 t CO2 corresponds to an annual CO2 storage capacity of approximately 700 hectares of reforestation in the tropics.
1.300.000 km Green mileage since 2016 31 times around the earth *On foot, by bicycle, public transportation or as a passenger
-2.700 t per year lower CO2 emissions
Since 2010 Carbon-neutral production
80 % energy ratio *Excluding car fleet. Green electricity and gas from offal 100% green electricity
elobau foundation
60 social engagement projects
31.000 MWh of produced electricity 10 years – 1.000 households

In order to make the Earth a livable place for our children, there is no getting around a circular economy following nature’s example. We want to be pioneers for this necessary shift in our industries.
From left to right: Dr Thilo Ittner (Executive Director), Rüdiger Köhler (Executive Director), Michael Hetzer (Advisory Board Chairman, sparring partner sustainability)