March 30, 2023 – At its ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) Conference 2023 for investors and analysts, Mercedes-Benz underlined measures aimed at reducing the carbon footprint and creating lasting value for all stakeholders.
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Mercedes-Benz ESG Conference 2023
March 30, 2023 – At its ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) Conference 2023 for investors and analysts, Mercedes-Benz underlined measures aimed at reducing the carbon footprint and creating lasting value for all stakeholders.
Video recordings as well as presentations for download can be found at the bottom of this page.
At Mercedes-Benz, we want to build the world’s most desirable cars. And since there can be no luxury without sustainability, we have flipped the switch towards ESG – especially with our ramp-up of e-mobility. ESG enables long-term value creation. This includes mitigating risks and seizing opportunities in sustainable business. We intend to double down on both.
Ola Källenius
Chief Executive Officer, Mercedes-Benz
Sales of Mercedes-Benz battery electric passenger cars, including smart grew by 67% in 2022. The company expects to approximately double sales of BEVs in 2023 and to reach up to 50% xEV sales by mid-decade. To further accelerate uptake, Mercedes-Benz will establish its own-branded global high-power charging network supplied with green electricity wherever possible. Within this decade, a total of more than 10,000 chargers will be installed in North America, Europe, China and other key markets. The network will be open to all brands with exclusive benefits such as pre-booking opportunities for Mercedes-Benz customers.
Mercedes-Benz is pursuing the goal of a green steel supply chain from 2039 at the latest, together with all its steel suppliers. Low-CO₂ steel, made from scrap, was already introduced into Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz is testing prototype parts including ultra-high strength martensitic steel from SSAB which contains almost fossil-free direct-reduced iron for series production. Mercedes-Benz was also the first car manufacturer to take an equity stake in Swedish start-up H2 Green Steel. Through this investment, Mercedes-Benz is promoting the transformation of the steel industry and intends to launch various vehicle models from 2025 which utilize almost CO₂-free steel. Mercedes-Benz also works on the decarbonisation of its aluminium supply chain. At least a third of the aluminium used in Europe for upcoming electric models will be produced with renewable energy, leading to CO₂ reductions of up to 50%. The company also started to test aluminium from Hydro (aluminium producer) with minimum 25% post-consumer scrap for safety-relevant structural castings. The aim is to begin using this material in series-production this year. Its CO₂ footprint is around 70% lower than that of conventional aluminium used in Europe. Together with Hydro the company aims to pilot very low CO₂ aluminium by 2030. Mercedes-Benz will extend its use of material certified from mine to supplier according to the standards of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative.
By the end of 2023, the new battery recycling factory in Kuppenheim, Germany, will start ramping up operations. Thanks to an innovative mechanical-hydrometallurgical process, Mercedes-Benz will achieve a recycling rate of more than 96% some months later. Pending the outcome of promising discussions with the public sector - Kuppenheim aims to have the ability to recycle more than 2,500 tonnes of battery modules per year. Mercedes-Benz is also expanding the use of net carbon-neutral
Since the beginning of 2022, production sites worldwide fully owned by Mercedes-Benz have been net carbon-neutral.
Mercedes-Benz aims to make its worldwide independent retailer network net carbon-neutral
Mercedes-Benz has donated proceeds from the auction of a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé to fund “beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship”. The initiative aims to empower young innovators with diverse backgrounds who have promising ideas for sustainability projects. Fellows receive an intensive 12 month training and skills development programme with access to mentoring as well as financial support.
To support human rights in mining regions, the company is also continuing existing partnerships with Bon Pasteur in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and with Terre des Hommes in India. The focus of both projects is to prevent child labour by addressing its root causes such as extreme poverty, lack of community protection systems and limited alternative livelihood opportunities. Support is being extended to a total of 34 villages from the 12 that have benefitted so far.
For its own supply chains, Mercedes-Benz aims to complete the assessment process of 24 raw materials with elevated human rights risks by 2028. An initial milestone of 70% is set for 2025. The company has strengthened the engagement in the deeper supply chains through extending its cobalt audit program to environmental standards and a broader scope of all critical battery materials. A recent analysis from Lead the Charge
Electrification and digitization are historic turning points for the world of work. All job profiles in the company are changing. Mercedes-Benz aims to shape the personnel change in a socially responsible way. Qualification and continuing education are the key to mastering the transformation successfully while empowering the employees. In Germany alone, Mercedes-Benz will invest more than €1.3 billion in the qualification, training and continuing education of its employees by 2030. It is clear that some job profiles, especially in powertrain, will no longer exist. That’s why the company promotes flexibility between the plants and enables employees to change locations. Also, Mercedes-Benz takes advantage of demographic change and natural fluctuation in order to further optimize employment at different locations.
Mercedes-Benz understands Corporate Governance as an enabler for the sustainable transformation. To that end, the company has enhanced the variable component of its executive remuneration. There is now one KPI each for E, S and G included as part of short- and long-term incentives. For Board of Management Members, a new penalty clause related to ESG components has been introduced.
For the first time, Mercedes-Benz added green asset backed securities to its green financing instruments. The company has also expanded the framework to include green assets at Mercedes-Benz Mobility. These and other revisions have earned the highest “Dark green” rating from CICERO with an “excellent” rating for governance. This follows the recent announcement by the CDP, which provides a global environmental disclosure scoring system, that Mercedes-Benz has been rated “A” for its climate efforts – a top mark awarded to less then 2% of the around 19,000 participating companies.
¹compared to 2018 ²Scope 1 and 2