SAP Achieves 2011 Sustainability Goals

As a leading provider of sustainability solutions, SAP also strives to implement sustainable business practices across its own global operations.

For the fifth consecutive year, SAP has increased its carbon efficiency from 36.4 grams per Euro in 2010 to 34.3 grams per Euro in 2011 (measured in emissions caused per Euro revenue). Due to software revenue increases of 25 percent at constant currencies, the company’s worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions increased eight percent to 490 kilotons in comparison to 455 kilotons, including Sybase, in 2010. Despite the increase in carbon emissions, SAP beat its published 2011 target by three percent and remains on track to achieve its target of reducing emissions to year-2000 levels by 2020.

“SAP has made sustainability its purpose, as business software innovation helps companies grow more profitably and responsibly,” said Peter Graf, Chief Sustainability Officer, SAP AG. “In 2011, we’ve been able to make significant strides toward more sustainable business practices across the board. However, it is also clear that more work needs to be done to hit our long-term targets, including the reduction of our energy consumption and accompanying emissions to year-2000 level by 2020,” he added.

More from Biztech

Future Group - Reliance Retail Deal approved by CCI RBI ban on cryptocurrencies takes effect; prohibition could force investors to tap the black market

The company’s focused energy and sustainability initiatives have led to a cumulative cost avoidance of EUR190 million since 2008 and EUR25 million alone in 2011, in comparison to a business as usual extrapolation based on 2007.

Part of SAP’s overall sustainability goals is fostering a diverse workforce, which includes increasing the number of women in management. In 2011, the company employed 18.6 percent women in management, compared to 17.9 percent in 2010. SAP has set a long-term target to increase the share of women in management to 25 percent by the year 2017, and has started a variety of internal activities, including mentoring and coaching.

Other achievements in 2011 include an increase in employee engagement. SAP measures its employees’ motivation and satisfaction at work with the help of a survey that is the basis for the computation of its employee engagement index. During 2011, the index grew by nine percentage points to the level of 77 percent, a significant increase in comparison to last year. Additionally, the Business Health Culture Index assesses how employees feel about their personal well-being and the company work environment. It increased from 59 percent favourability in 2010 to 65 percent in 2011.