Arvato-Systems_Umwelt-Stage

Environment

Making IT More Responsible

Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
Commuting & Business Trips
Our Office Worlds
Certifications & Reporting

Use Energy and Resources more Consciously

ARvato-Systems-SDG-13

Information technology has long since become indispensable. Whether for private individuals or companies - digitization has revolutionized our lives. Thanks to ever more powerful systems, ever greater volumes of data are being transmitted at lightning speed and ever more possibilities are being created. At the same time, 21st century IT is an environmental challenge: it requires large amounts of energy and thus has a significant impact on our environment. As an IT company and multi-cloud service integrator, Arvato Systems is aware of these impacts. That is why we strive to make our energy consumption as efficient as possible and thus to keep reducing the CO2 emissions for which we are responsible. By using and continuously expanding state-of-the-art (environmental) technology - for example in our data centers - and by using cloud-based state-of-the-art technologies and solutions, we are contributing to the energy and resource management of the future. 

Arvato Systems is constantly working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its own business operations. To achieve this, we have identified three main areas on which we are focusing our efforts intensively and continuously:

Energy efficiency & renewable energy
Travel & business trips
Sustainable office environments

Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Arvato-Systems_Umwelt-GruenerStrom

Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources

We are convinced that renewable energy is a key tool for combating climate change. The use of renewable energy is an important part of our environmental initiatives. Wherever we can and wherever it is technically feasible, we source electricity from renewable energy sources—not only in Germany, but worldwide.

Arvato-Systems_Umwelt-RZ

Energy efficiency in our data centers

Power consumption is a key factor in the operation of data centers. That is why the topic of energy efficiency plays a particularly important role here.

Arvato-Systems_Umwelt-Ladesäule

Construction of e-charging stations

At many of our sites, we provide charging stations for electric vehicles for employees and guests. Over the next few years, we intend to continuously expand this service at our German and international sites.

Arvato-Systems_Umwelt-Photovoltaik

Solar Power—Wherever Possible

We evaluate and implement measures to reduce selected energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions at our sites. To conserve resources, we are therefore exploring the installation of solar panels on all of our buildings.

Insight-News-Nachhaltigkeitsaward

green.screen | Web-Based Environmental Reporting

Our solution, green.screen, promotes a more transparent and conscious approach to energy and resource use. This IT-based energy management platform, developed by Arvato Systems, is used for local energy management, including within the Bertelsmann Group.

Commuting & Business Trips

Company bicycles

We motivate our employees to consider alternative means of transport instead of the car. For example, all employees have the opportunity to lease bicycles or e-bikes quickly and at very attractive conditions.

Strengthening public transport

Arvato Systems employees can already use a job ticket for public transportation at many of our locations at reduced rates. Where sites are currently difficult to reach by public transport, we are looking at ways to establish additional public transport options.

Mobile Work

Through our “Mobile Work” initiative, we’re also helping to reduce commuting and the associated emissions. The modern, well-equipped offices at our locations serve as a “home base” for our employees. This is where we meet and work together in person. At the same time, we offer maximum flexibility: Employees can work from home or at other locations—which also helps reduce daily commuting. Our “Mobile Work” concept combines the best of both worlds.

Arvato-Systems_Umwelt-Home-Dienstreisen
Responsible Business Travel

It is also possible to make a contribution to climate protection when traveling on business. For this reason, Bertelsmann has developed guidelines for responsible business travel, which provides many useful suggestions for avoiding emissions. For example, many business trips could already be usefully replaced by virtual meetings. And when a business trip is important or unavoidable, we use public transportation whenever possible. Air travel should only be undertaken if there is no other alternative that makes sense in terms of time. For the business travel-related emissions tracked using our methodology, we also fund climate protection projects.

Our Office Worlds

Arvato-Systems_Umwelt-Gebäude

Energy- and Resource-Efficient Building Use

We are working to use our buildings and office space as efficiently as possible. This begins with the gradual modernization of lighting fixtures, continues with the ongoing optimization of heating and ventilation systems, and extends to the replacement of fossil fuel-based heating systems with systems that produce lower greenhouse gas emissions during operation, to the extent that this is technically feasible at each location. When leasing new buildings, we pay particular attention from the outset to energy consumption, space utilization, and resource efficiency.

Arvato-Systems_Umwelt-Office

Modern Office Concept

Office Environments of the Future! Under this motto, we are increasingly transforming “traditional” office spaces into so-called “Modern Offices,” where workstations and rooms can be used flexibly as needed. The combination of top-of-the-line amenities, numerous opportunities for collaboration, and maximum flexibility offers several advantages: a state-of-the-art atmosphere, reduced space consumption, and more efficient use of space.

Arvato-Systems-Umwelt-Papierlos

Digital Processes to Reduce Paper Consumption

Every day, we work to make our locations and workplaces as paperless as possible. To that end, we have digitized our entire document and contract management system. For example, all of our contracts are made available digitally, signed electronically, and archived. As a result, we have significantly reduced paper consumption in various workflows.

Arvato-Systems-Umwelt-Abfallmanagement

Waste & Recycling

At our locations, we place great emphasis on waste prevention and are continuously optimizing our waste management practices. We also take a very cautious approach to the disposal and recycling of electronic devices and e-waste, and we extend the useful life of suitable IT and mobile devices through refurbishment and reuse. By pre-sorting and collecting our waste by type, we also facilitate recycling.

Ratings, Certifications, and Awards

For Arvato Systems, sustainability and environmental awareness play a major role in its business activities. Below, we present a selection of assessments, certifications, awards, and evidence of impact. These relate to various companies, locations, activities, and assessment periods. The specific scope is indicated in each entry.

Social and Environmental Engagement Through a Partnership with AfB

Our partnership with the nonprofit IT company AfB demonstrates that we are also active in the social and environmental sectors. For years, we have been having IT and mobile devices that have been taken out of service refurbished by AfB. Refurbishing suitable devices can extend their useful life and promote the reuse of IT hardware. At the same time, AfB employs people with and without disabilities.

ISS ESG Rating for Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA | Rating: Prime

Bertelsmann regularly has its sustainability performance evaluated by the independent research and rating agency ISS-ESG. This provides an external, objective assessment of Bertelsmann's performance in the areas of ecology, social affairs and governance.


Rating: Grade C+ (Prime)

EcoVadis | Grade: Gold

EcoVadis is a globally recognized provider of corporate sustainability ratings and evaluates companies' commitment to sustainability, environmental protection, and social and ethical responsibility.


Rating: 68 out of 100 points (Gold)

Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) | Grade: B

As a nonprofit organization, CDP is a global leader in environmental disclosure. CDP helps governments and organizations reduce fossil fuel emissions, protect forests, and conserve water resources for future generations.

Rating: Grade B

ISO / IEC 22237 certified

Arvato Systems is the first data center operator in Germany to be certified by TÜV SÜD according to the new ISO/IEC 22237 standard. The international standard, which will be introduced in October 2021, tests the entire data center - from infrastructure to environmental aspects.

Bertelsmann Energy and Climate Policy

The Bertelsmann Executive Board has adopted the “Bertelsmann Energy and Climate Policy”. The document reaffirms the company’s commitment to minimizing the negative impacts of its business activities on the environment and climate and outlines specific measures for effective environmental and climate protection. These include the procurement of renewable energy, as well as improving energy efficiency and developing climate-friendly products and services.

 

Arvato Systems aligns its environmental initiatives with Bertelsmann’s 2030 Climate Goal. The focus is on the gradual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, more efficient energy use, and the increased use of renewable energy. These goals are being implemented through measures in the areas of data centers, buildings, mobility, and operational processes.

Bertelsmann_CC_Photovoltaics_3
Sustainability management for Bertelsmann

green.screen simplifies sustainability reporting from over 500 locations worldwide and enables the group to collect data transparently and reduce emissions.

Environmental Reports

Below you will find the summarized environmental reports of the Arvato companies from 2004 - 2013 as well as the reports on the Bertelsmann carbon footprint until 2018, which replace the environmental reports. For current data as of 2019, we now refer to the extensive Bertelsmann website on the topic. There, information on corporate responsibility at Bertelsmann is provided for the entire Bertelsmann Group in accordance with the international standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Reporting on the topic of ecology (GRI 300) can be found here.

Your Contact for Corporate Responsibility

MA_Marcus_Metzner_Corporate
Marcus Metzner
Chief Marketing Officer