Environmental aspects are assessed from the customer's perspective as less significant with a view to the impacts of business activities compared to economic and social aspects (see Criteria 9 for a detailed review of the stakeholders). In the view of the Dussmann Group, the sustainability aspects of the three dimensions – economic, social, and environmental – are on an equal footing and not in competition with one another. Within the context of this declaration, the specified sustainability aspects are allocated to one of the categories in their strongest form but have impacts on several dimensions in a reciprocal interplay.

The Dussmann Group’s business operations are associated with economic, social, and environmental opportunities and risks.

An economic opportunity can be found in our portfolio diversity (that is independent of economic conditions) and in our stable and independent financial structure, as it enables us to strengthen our portfolio with investments and targeted strategic acquisitions without undertaking any financial risks that could have adverse effects on the company. An economic risk is the acquisition of sufficiently qualified workers and specialists who we need to fulfill our value proposition to our customers.

With over 64,450 employees, in many of the regions in which we operate, we are one of the largest employers. This results in our societal influence and special responsibility to create stable and quality employment relationships in developing markets. We are always aware of this responsibility. Enabling people, even those with relatively few qualifications, to begin or continue their professional lives and to provide them with long-term and fairly compensated employment relationships consequently represents a significant opportunity with which we promote a cohesive society.

With the expansion of the extent of self-delivery, we create new jobs and secure existing ones. The key element here is the qualification of employees.

The automation of process steps offers the companies of the Dussmann Group the opportunity to open up new markets. This prevents the potential risk of jobs being relocated. In times of a worsening shortage of labor and skilled workers, the use of new technologies helps to ensure the provision of services in principle. In addition, new job profiles are developing. The new technology must be monitored and tended to, and education and training continue to grow in importance. We can lighten the load on our employees through the use of robotics during individual work steps of heavy or monotonous work, which in turn ensures better job security and efficiency (e.g. through autonomously run cleaning machines).

Environmentally speaking, burdens arise, especially in resource consumption, the application of the products used (use of chemicals, plastic consumption, water consumption), as well as energy management. Risks arise from the fact that certain services in the supply chain are rendered by third parties, especially by subcontractors. The review of quality standards throughout the entire supply chain is of special importance, as well as a great challenge. At the same time, there is great potential to reduce environmental impacts through the application of environmentally friendly products (e.g. through DS internal products) and work equipment (e.g. precise dosing systems), as well as efficiency in the use of energy and materials – with regard to our own equipment and especially with a view to the resources of our customers.

Climate change calls for adaptation, both on the part of companies and individual people. First and foremost, the impact of businesses’ and private parties’ activities on the environment must be minimized.
Our aspiration is to minimize negative environmental impacts along our supply chain: In the rendering of our cleaning services for instance, we pay special attention to biodegradable and highly concentrated products, as well as to the regional proximity to our wholesale partners.