Blue Competence links mechanical and plant engineering in the field of sustainability and bundles the resources, know-how and strengths of the VDMA. The various professional associations of the VDMA and other organisations in mechanical and plant engineering are involved in this association.
The partner companies pursue the following goals:
Environmental protection and sustainability are global issues that are also becoming increasingly important in the print media industry. More and more print buyers require an ecological production process for printed matter, and the demand for climate-neutral print products is constantly increasing. Here, modern machines and improved processes also help to save costs. After all, printing ecologically also means thinking economically.
Energy and resource efficiency, emission reduction and life cycle management are aspects that play an essential role both in the manufacturing of printing presses and in their operation. HEIDELBERG firmly anchors sustainability in its strategic agenda. The company's environmental policy provides the binding framework for all HEIDELBERG divisions and also includes external partners and suppliers. It reflects the holistic and comprehensive approach that HEIDELBERG pursues in its environmental concept: From the development of the products to their manufacturing and operation at the customer's site to recycling or disposal, all life cycle stages are taken into account. Therefore, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG can e. g. calculate the CO2 footprint of its products both in manufacturing and in the operating phase and take the results into account when developing new products.
Blue Competence is the sustainability initiative of mechanical and plant engineering industry. It understands forward-looking sustainability based on the principles of economic success, fairness, respect & responsibility and encompasses the dimensions of society, ecology and economy.
Sustainability is the balancing and integration of economic, ecological and social goals. It is about responsibility in a comprehensive sense, for example for education, nature and the economic consequences of globalisation, structural change or demographic development.
The mechanical and plant manufacturing industry do not only see themselves as having a duty, but foremost all also the driving force and motor for groundbreaking technologies that make many sustainability ideas possible in the first place. With every new development, mechanical and plant engineering shows that sustainability also increases profitability. Blue Competence wants to show that it is not only good, but useful in acting sustainably!
We are a partner of the Blue Competence sustainability initiative. With our partnership, we commit ourselves to comply with the twelve sustainability principles of mechanical and plant engineering.
PREAMBLE
Our comprehension of trendsetting sustainability is based on the principles of economic success, fairness, respect & responsibility and includes the dimensions of society, ecology & economy. We comprehend sustainable action in terms of the definition of the Brundtland-report1 and the definitions of the German “Rat für Nachhaltige Entwicklung2“.
STRATEGICAL:
1. Sustainability is a crucial part of our company strategy.
2. We create solid business schemes with sustainable values and secure entrepreneurial success.
3. Our technologies and solutions promote worldwide sustainable developments.
OPERATIVE:
4. Sustainable thinking and action are represented in our processes and products.
5. We act with consideration of resources and stand up for climate protection.
6. Our staff is our most valuable asset. We promote engagement and participation.
7. We stand up for keeping the human rights.
CULTURAL:
8. Our company is a habitat.
9. We take responsibility in our region.
10. We do, what we promise!
COMMUNICATIVE:
11. We actively cultivate the network with all participants.
12. We transparently communicate our sustainable action.
1 „Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.“ (Brundtland-report, 1987)
2 „Sustainable development means to consider ecological aspects equal to social and economic aspects. Therefore, sustainable economy means: For our children and grandchildren, we must leave behind us a sound ecological and economic structure.“ (Rat für Nachhaltige Entwicklung, 2001)
One of the central elements of the traineeship at HEIDELBERG is to inspire young people for climate and resource protection as well as volunteering. Here you can read our Blue Competence success story (best practice example).
