Environment

As a healthcare Group, Fresenius feels a responsibility to protect the environment and use natural resources carefully because only a healthy environment can be a home for healthy people. It is important to avoid possible negative effects on the environment and health. To this end, we identify and evaluate potential hazards and take the necessary measures to protect the environment.

On a business segment level, the environmental management strategy is aligned to the respective business models. Since the requirements in our business segments differ, environmental management is decentralized. The common foundation of environmental management approaches in our business segments is the ISO 14001 standard. We are continuously expanding the number of sites certified to ISO 14001. All segments have implemented local, regional, or global management systems to take into account the respective business models and adapt processes accordingly.

Water management

For decades, water consumption has been increasing worldwide and water shortages are occurring in more and more regions. We too need water, both at our production plants and in our healthcare facilities. We therefore handle this scarce and vital resource responsibly. We work with management systems and control systems globally to ensure that water quality meets internal and external regulatory requirements so it can be used safely during production, in processes, and in our healthcare facilities. The health of our patients and employees must be protected.

The aim of our water management is therefore not only to ensure the highest quality and sufficient availability of freshwater but also to avoid unnecessary polluting the sources from which we obtain water or into which we discharge our wastewater.

Climate protection: energy and emissions

Climate change and its effects are also impacting Fresenius: in healthcare facilities we have to prepare for rising temperatures and the increase in severe weather events in order to continue to protect the health of patients.

Our production processes and the operation of healthcare facilities require a high level of energy input. Energy-efficiency measures can lead to short- and long-term cost savings. In addition, through the increased usage of renewable energies, they also make an important contribution to climate protection. At the same time, an uninterrupted energy supply is a top priority for Fresenius in order to ensure patient safety and reliable production or care. Within this context, we implement energy-saving measures wherever possible. The energy management system is geared to the requirements of our business segments and is certified according to ISO 50001. We are constantly expanding the number of certified sites.

Overall, in energy management and climate protection, our aim is to go beyond the legal framework to identify ways of minimizing the impact on the environment and to implement these in our management approaches.

Climate neutral by 2040

We will be climate neutral in our own operations by 2040. This applies both to direct and indirect CO₂ emissions (Scope 1 and 2). Our climate target is in line with the Paris climate agreement’s scientifically based goal to limit global warming to 1.5° C.

We have defined a concrete roadmap to achieve this target: By 2030 we plan to cut our direct and indirect CO₂ emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by half from the 2020 level of about 1.5 million metric tons. Any emissions from organic business growth are included. Moreover, we will further intensify our management of emissions stemming from the upstream and downstream supply chain (Scope 3), eventually to be included in the climate target.

Waste and recycling management

Natural resources are becoming increasingly scarce all over the world. We can only operate sustainably if we use the raw materials available to us efficiently. This also includes the responsible handling of waste – because it contains valuable resources that can be returned to production. Through systematic waste management, we aim to reduce our material consumption and minimize the amount of waste produced.

The handling of waste in the health sector is strictly regulated. Fundamentally, waste must not pose a danger to our patients, our employees, or the environment. Our production processes and treatments in healthcare facilities must be hygienic and sterile at all times. All business segments must always dispose of their waste professionally and safely. With clear internal guidelines, training, and comprehensive controls, we ensure that the respective requirements are complied with.