Sustainability
We have a responsibility to protect our planet. Using our resources wisely and protecting our climate will shape the future for all of us. Ultimately, we see values such as sustainability and fairness as an opportunity for future generations. For Diehl Aviation, this means responsibly harmonizing ecological, social and economic aspects and integrating them into our daily decisions.
Working together for a more sustainable future
The demand for more sustainable aviation is growing. On the one hand due to customer interest and on the other hand due to legal requirements. As part of a traditional family business, Diehl Aviation has always focused on sustainable and long-term success. Our ambition is to be an enabler for sustainable aviation. In this way, we support the industry in achieving climate-neutral and sustainable aviation.
In addition to the ecological aspects, as a family business we are also particularly concerned with the social aspects. This applies to our own employees as well as to the entire supply chain. For us, sustainability ultimately means responsibly balancing ESG (environmental, social, governance) criteria and integrating them into our daily decisions. We see sustainability as a societal challenge to which we, as a global player, want to contribute and to which we want to work together with our stakeholders. Ultimately, this long-term approach will ensure our continued success.
Environmental sustainability includes our environmental management system, recycling and other environmental aspects, such as measures to reduce environmental impact and, in particular, CO2 emissions.
These measures cover a broad spectrum and require the optimization of existing structures, processes and technologies as well as disruptive technologies with completely new approaches. Increasing the energy and resource efficiency of its business activities and thus reducing its ecological footprint is just as important to Diehl Aviation as improving the environmental compatibility of the products it manufactures. This environmental awareness is also anchored in the Code of Conduct.
Environmental management is part of our sustainability management. All our activities - from planning, procurement and production of components to delivery - are subject to defined environmental requirements. We work in accordance with the ISO 14001 environmental management standard to ensure continuous improvement. The environmental program, which is part of the environmental management system, is used to derive specific measures and projects, for example to reduce CO2 emissions. As part of the environmental management system, the associated key figures are monitored and reported internally and externally.
CO2 emissions & targets
Reducing the CO² emissions of our products and processes is an important pillar of Diehl Aviation's sustainability efforts. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol standard is used to record site-related greenhouse gas emissions. This is an international standard that clusters the emissions into 3 categories Scope 1, 2 & 3. Determining the status quo is particularly important to us.
Only with a good database can concrete measures to reduce emissions be taken in the next step. In the first step, these include the targets that have been set for Scope 1&2 at Diehl Aviation. The opportunities for reduction here lie, for example, in green electricity, building refurbishment and investments in alternatives to heating with gas. The use phase is particularly relevant for Scope 3 emissions. This is where the lightweight construction of our products comes into play, saving emissions during the use phase (in flight operations). Emissions from purchased goods and services also play a major role here.
Eco-efficiency
We see the environmental impact of our products as an important lever for more sustainable aviation. That is why we are committed to collecting environmental impact data and are establishing an internal process to create life cycle assessments and product carbon footprints. As a result, lightweighting is a defining principle in all our product lines, and as such is a sustainable technology that adds value through energy and fuel savings. In addition, circular economy approaches are a driver of sustainable technologies in the aircraft cabin sector.
Our ambition to be an enabler for aviation and drive it forward with sustainable technologies and products is particularly evident in our ECOefficiency product line. This offers more environmentally friendly products that are even lighter, save additional water or use innovative recyclable materials.
Corporate governance at Diehl Aviation goes beyond success - it is characterized by responsibility, integrity and forward thinking. We are committed to strict adherence to all compliance guidelines in order to act ethically and transparently. At Diehl Aviation, governance stands for trustworthy leadership that lays the foundation for sustainable and future-oriented corporate development. Diehl Aviation conducts its business in accordance with the laws and official regulations of the countries in which its employees work and in accordance with the principles of the Code of Conduct, which must be observed by all employees without exception.
Corporate Compliance
We value a work environment in which our employees can raise compliance issues openly and discuss them with both their managers and the compliance organization. Our goal is to ensure that all employees are made aware of compliance in their day-to-day work through ongoing communication. To this end, compliance training is provided to employees on a regular basis.
Any violations or concerns regarding our Code of Conduct can be reported at any time to our compliance contact in the Aviation subgroup.
You also have the option of contacting the Corporate Compliance Officer (CCO) of the Diehl Group or the neutral external ombudsman (lawyer), who is obliged to maintain strict confidentiality.
Memberships and Participation
Diehl Aviation cooperates with various initiatives and organizations. For example, with CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) with the aim of creating transparency in environmental data. There is also a partnership with EcoVadis, a provider of sustainability ratings. This also supports Diehl-Aviation in the implementation of the Supply Chain Sustainability Act. We are also a member of the IAEG (International Aerospace Environmental Group). This is a forum for developing ideas for more sustainable aviation together with partners from the aviation industry. Sustainability issues are also discussed within the BDLI (German Aerospace Industries Association). We support these standards and methodologies for a comprehensive picture of our sustainability performance and therefore do not use other assessment methods. If you have any questions about specific assessment and rating results, please do not hesitate to contact us.
At Diehl Aviation, we focus on social sustainability, because for us it's not just about products, but also about the people who shape them. As a family-owned company with a long tradition of stability and trust, we actively support the interests of our employees and ensure fair working conditions. Fair working conditions include, for example, fair pay, flexible working models, regular employee surveys and feedback sessions, and company health promotion activities. Our commitment is also demonstrated by the highest standards of occupational health and safety to ensure a safe working environment. We continually invest in training and development to nurture the potential of our people and give them the opportunity to develop their skills. Every voice counts with us, regardless of gender, origin or background - equal opportunity is not just a principle for us, it is a lived reality. After all, it is only with committed and satisfied employees that we can achieve sustainable success for our company, our customers and society. These principles and requirements are also reflected in our Code of Conduct.
Supply Chain Responsibility
As a company, we recognize that social responsibility is not limited to our own employees. We also take our responsibility seriously along our supply and value chain. We have high standards for sustainability and expect the same from our suppliers. For Diehl Aviation, this includes the respect of internationally recognized human rights by suppliers and business partners. In addition to the Supply Chain Duty of Care Act, there are also other regulations that provide relevant points of reference.
These include the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Declaration of the International Labor Organization. Suppliers are selected based on technical, economic, social and environmental criteria. We expect our suppliers to recognize the Diehl Aviation Supplier Code of Conduct, to comply with the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation, the LkSG and the REACH Regulation. In addition to our requirements with regard to human rights, the Supplier Code of Conduct also includes requirements for compliance with laws, prevention of corruption, data protection and our expectations with regard to environmental protection. Violations of the Supplier Code of Conduct will result in immediate corrective action and, if necessary, audits.
To meet the requirements of the German Supply Chain Duty of Care Act, Diehl Aviation works together with its partner EcoVadis. This assessment partner is widely used and established in the aviation industry. In cooperation with our suppliers we are also working on improving the carbon footprint of our purchased parts and thus also of our products.