AUTO1 Group SE
AUTO1 Group SE
04/16/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/16/2024 04:36
Driving Sustainable Change: Perspectives from our ESG Representatives
Driving Sustainable Change: Perspectives from our ESG Representatives
16 April 2024
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, sustainability has become a crucial imperative for organizations worldwide. At AUTO1 Group, our commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles is ingrained in our corporate values, and the publication of our 2023 ESG Report marks another milestone in our sustainability journey. Guided by the leadership of our dedicated ESG Committee within our Supervisory Board, we have made significant strides toward our sustainability goals. We invited Sylvie Mutschler-von Specht, Member of the Supervisory Board and Member of the ESG Committee, and Matthew Perry, Head of Legal Compliance and ESG Ambassador, to share their insights on the committee's motivations, visions, and collaborative strategies for driving sustainable change within our organization.
Why did AUTO1 Group form a dedicated ESG Committee in the Supervisory Board?
Sylvie: "ESG is more than a legal requirement for AUTO1 Group; it's a commitment we are determined to live and work by, especially being in the mobility sector. We uphold high standards for our social footprint, emphasizing gender equality, diversity, and the integration of different strengths and skills. As a listed company, governance is paramount, and we strive to exceed our own standards, just as we do with our environmental footprint. We also aim to minimize CO2 emissions across the Group."
Could you shed light on how the supervisory board collaborates with the executive team to ensure ESG considerations are integrated into the company's overall strategy?
Sylvie: "In addition to having an ESG committee focused on dedicated topics, we ensure legal compliance and explore opportunities to enhance our environmental, social, and governance practices. As a mobility tech company, we at AUTO1 Group are committed to reducing our CO2 footprint, prioritizing diversity and social aspects, and maintaining the governance standards expected of a public company."
Matthew: "The Management Board bears the overall responsibility for our sustainability strategy. It provides the sustainability strategy and guidance on the concepts pursued, coordinating these with the respective department leadership at Senior Vice President and Vice President level, as well as with our dedicated ESG Team. The Supervisory Board, as an independent body, contributes to our sustainability strategy with its knowledge, skills, and professional expertise. Lars Santelmann, one of our Supervisory Board members, is responsible for ESG topics within this body. Finally, all ESG decisions are made by the ESG Steering Committee, all decisions involve the Management Board, and are reported to the Supervisory Board."
What personally motivates and drives your commitment to ESG initiatives?
Sylvie: "The mobility sector often faces prejudice, and we are determined to exceed average expectations in all ESG areas. Personally, I am committed to scaling our business while simultaneously improving our CO2 footprint. As a woman, I am also passionate about ensuring gender equality, equal pay, and diversity are more than theoretical goals-they are actively pursued because I believe diverse teams perform better."
Matthew: "It's important that we hold ourselves accountable and continuously align the direction of our business with ESG frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Being able to orchestrate our ESG efforts and progress within my role is very rewarding because I get to work with people across our organization who are passionate about being a driving force for positive change.
AUTO1 Group is also at the forefront of ESG reporting, as a first year Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) reporting company. As a lawyer, it is very exciting to be working on a project which requires the application of a still developing legal framework. In parallel to this challenge, we have been able to drive forward our own sustainability initiatives, such as for example the installation of solar panels on our premises in the Netherlands, all of which is a big motivator for me."
How does the supervisory board evaluate and monitor the company's adherence to ESG principles, and what mechanisms are in place for accountability?
Sylvie: "The ESG committee sets standards in the areas of Environment, Social, and Governance and monitors their development over time, always looking for new solutions and improvements. We meet four times a year, ensuring constant communication with the executive team regarding our progress and challenges."
Matthew: "To ensure accountability for our ongoing efforts in sustainability, we have formally appointed Markus Boser, AUTO1 Group's CFO, as our Management Board representative for sustainability, ESG ambassador, and chairman of our ESG Steering Committee."
Looking ahead, how do you envision the evolution of the company's ESG strategy, and what milestones do you hope to achieve?
Sylvie: "With advancements in fuel and technology, we will continue to raise our standards in all areas. Our goal is to remain one of the leading electric vehicle merchants in Europe and to stay at the forefront of green petrol and other innovative solutions to make our world cleaner and better. We also aim to encourage more women to join our company across all departments, including tech and car repairs. We aspire to achieve a balanced mix of male and female members in leadership and management teams."
To learn more about our ESG initiatives and strategies, refer to the newly released ESG Report.