Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) increasingly became the focus of public interest in 2021. In the past financial year, FACC set out its sustainability strategy in more detail and defined concrete goals and topics of focus in the areas of environmental protection, social responsibility and governance.
Responsible interaction with the environment, employees, partners and society has long been firmly embedded in FACC’s corporate philosophy. However, with progressing climate change, the issue of sustainable management has gained significant momentum in recent years. Most recently, the European Union issued the Taxonomy Regulation, a set of rules designed to make achievements and measures related to sustainability both quantifiable and verifiable. FACC welcomes this initiative, and is willing to face the challenges presented by the transformation to sustainable business practices.
Further development of the sustainability strategy
Existing focal points in CSR management were analysed in the 2021 financial year, giving rise to a revised sustainability strategy with additional key topics for the future and a clear statement for responsible corporate action. Nine concrete objectives were formulated on the basis of this revised strategy. Although these objectives relate to all areas of the company, they were developed following an unusual bottom-up approach.
Working as a team to achieve more ambitious goals
As a first step, quantifiable CSR goals were jointly defined by the CSR manager and representatives of eleven specialist departments. It soon became clear that these goals should focus on areas in which FACC is already well positioned, and in which it already possesses leverage to actually make a difference in the medium term. In addition, the goals should challenge the company and its employees without requiring them to completely reinvent themselves.
Building on existing strengths
A conclusion was quickly drawn from this realization: since its beginnings, FACC has been committed to reducing CO2 emissions through the development and production of increasingly lightweight components for the aircraft industry. Moreover, FACC excels on account of the diversity of its workforce and its highly qualified employees. The Group’s new sustainability strategy also revolves around these two meta levels.
ESG criteria, which have become a global standard for responsible investments in recent years, served as a point of reference when developing the individual sustainability targets. ESG stands for Environment, Social and Governance, and encompasses all measures taken by companies in these areas to make their activities more sustainable. In 2021, FACC set itself three well-defined and quantifiable goals in each of these areas. These are to be implemented, evaluated and, if necessary, made more stringent in the coming years.
Environment
Carbon-neutral production by 2040
FACC aims to achieve carbon neutrality in production by 2040. All Austrian sites already source the bulk of their electricity and heat requirements from renewable energy sources. FACC is currently investigating the CO2 footprint of its sites. The findings obtained will provide the basis for further measures on the way to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.
Forty-percent reduction in C02 emissions by 2030 (relative to 2005)
By as early as 2030, FACC aims to cut its CO2 emissions by around 40 percent compared to 2005. In addition to numerous other measures, the company is also driving forward the gradual conversion of its vehicle fleet to electric and hybrid vehicles.
100 percent LED lighting by 2024, starting in Austria
Over the past few years, FACC has made significant progress in converting to LED lighting. The company has thus replaced approximately 2,000 light sources at its Austrian sites since 2017, with the result that a large proportion of areas are currently being illuminated using this technology. From 2024, this initiative is also to be rolled out to FACC’s international sites.
Social
Maintaining a women’s quota of 50 percent for scholarships and in apprenticeship training
FACC attaches great importance to apprentice training and university scholarships. The share of female apprentices and scholarship holders is around 50 percent. In the future, FACC aims to maintain, or even exceed, this proportion of women, which is considered high within the industry.
Active encouragement of women to pursue a career in tech and finance based on two school campaigns per year
In order to encourage even more young women to pursue a career in a technology company such as FACC, the Group proactively reaches out to female students. With its “Young Girls for Tech and Finance” initiative, the company visits schools and introduces girls to the exciting working environment at FACC.
Retaining 15 to 20 nationalities at all management levels
The diversity of its workforce is a key element of FACC’s corporate identity. At present, the Group employs members of staff from around 40 nations. FACC is proud of the diversity of its workforce, and will continue to follow this successful path in all areas of the company.
Governance
Zero violations of the FACC Code of Conduct
FACC’s Code of Conduct is an essential instrument for the company. It encompasses all principles that enable good governance, and defines guidelines in the areas of corruption and bribery, human rights, occupational health and safety, conflicts of interest, insider information and environmental protection, to name just a few. FACC actively promotes awareness of the contents of the Code of Conduct among its employees.
Increasing awareness of CSR and Compliance by the end of 2022
FACC wishes to strengthen the sense of responsibility of its employees with regard to Corporate Social Responsibility and Compliance. The company intends to accomplish this, in addition to other initiatives, with its own CSR training courses by the end of 2022.
Internal CSR rating of the top-250 suppliers by 2023
FACC wishes to extend its corporate responsibility to its supply chains. By 2023, a rating is to be developed which will serve as the basis for evaluating the Group’s 250 most important suppliers according to CSR criteria. This initiative is also designed to promote responsible conduct throughout FACC’s entire supply chain.