**London**: Schaeffler has announced a commitment to climate neutrality, introducing a self-assessment questionnaire for suppliers to enhance sustainability practices in the automotive industry. This initiative aims to reduce carbon footprints and improve transparency across the supply chain, with a target score set for continued partnerships.
In a significant move towards sustainability within the automotive aftermarket, Schaeffler has announced its commitment to achieving climate neutrality, a goal that will necessitate the cooperation of its suppliers. This initiative comes as part of a broader effort among manufacturers in the industry to dramatically reduce their carbon footprints.
A cornerstone of Schaeffler’s strategy to engage suppliers in sustainable practices is the implementation of a self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ). This tool is designed to assess the sustainability performance of suppliers, focusing on critical areas such as sustainability management, responsible sourcing, ethics, and working conditions. The questionnaire is mandatory for all suppliers of production materials and select non-production materials, promoting a uniform approach to sustainability reporting across its supply chain.
Key questions included in the SAQ address essential aspects of environmental responsibility. These include inquiries regarding the presence of an environmental management system at suppliers’ sites, the proportion of electricity sourced from renewable resources, and whether companies have established greenhouse gas reduction targets.
This proactive approach seeks to provide automotive professionals with insights into how products are manufactured, thereby enhancing accountability and transparency. As customer demand for sustainable products ramps up, Schaeffler aims to align its operations with these expectations, ensuring that its supply chain meets elevated sustainability standards.
In cases where suppliers do not meet the required performance metrics, Schaeffler advises focusing on two critical initiatives. First, suppliers should implement a code of conduct for both employees and external partners. Secondly, establishing an environmental and social management system is recommended. Achieving a minimum score of 70 on the SAQ is imperative for suppliers to continue their partnerships with Schaeffler, with this threshold in place until 2030.
Through such initiatives, Schaeffler reiterates its dedication not only to its own sustainable practices but also to those of its suppliers. By fostering a culture of transparency and accountability within the automotive aftermarket, Schaeffler is paving the way for a more sustainable industry moving forward.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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