11. Usage of Natural Resources

The company discloses the extent to which natural resources are used for the company’s business activities. Possible options here are materials, the input and output of water, soil, waste, energy, land and biodiversity as well as emissions for the life cycles of products and services.

All natural resources used for business activities have been reported for all sites (as of 2010 and 2011). The aspect biodiversity is not regarded as relevant for the activities of Fraunhofer UMSICHT.
All consumptions are documented on the SBSC and in the sustainability report.


12. Resource Management

The company discloses what qualitative and quantitative goals it has set itself with regard to its resource efficiency, in particular its use of renewables, the increase in raw material productivity and the reduction in the usage of ecosystem services, which measures and strategies it is pursuing to this end, how these are or will be achieved, and where it sees there to be risks.

Fraunhofer UMSICHT implements a number of measures for resources savings (e.g. duplex printing; use of LED lamps, solar cooling).

As an institute specializing in process technology we have no continuous production with permanently unchanging or nearly unchanging material input. We perform R&D services according to the customer-specific requirements.

Eventually, our work is aimed at reducing the material input of our customers, at enhancing their know-how about environmental impacts or at substituting hazardous sub-stances.



Key Performance Indicators to criteria 11 to 12

Key Performance Indicator GRI EN1
Materials used by weight or volume.

0.76 million DIN A4 sheets of paper in 2011, other materials are not documented

Key Performance Indicator GRI EN3
Direct energy consumption by primary energy source.

5.1 million MJ (natural gas)

Key Performance Indicator GRI EN8
Total water withdrawal by source.

15 710 m³ (March 2011 to February 2012)

Key Performance Indicator GRI EN22
Total weight of waste by type and disposal method.

56.32 t (2010) and 61.28 t (2011)


13. Climate-Relevant Emissions

The company discloses the GHG emissions in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol or standards based on it and states the goals it has set itself to reduce emissions, as well as its results thus far.

The greenhouse gases are calculated in accordance with the "Greenhouse Gas Protocol".
Fraunhofer UMSICHT cannot set a fixed reduction target since our energy consumption varies considerably depending on the respective focus of research and the related plant dimensions.
The main impact will be the implementation of research- and developmental benefits on the market.



Key Performance Indicators to criteria 13

Key Performance Indicator GRI EN16
Total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by weight.

Indirect: 2 155 t CO2e and direct: 397 t CO2e (2011)

Key Performance Indicator GRI EN18
Initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reductions achieved.

Green IT, energy efficient illumination, for train rides energy is gained by regenerative sources