Sonepar – Green Offer: Sonepar partners with Hager

June 19, 2024
Sonepar

We aim to promote our suppliers’ best-in-class, most sustainable innovations, to bring further transparency to our product offer and help reduce our impact on the planet.

Sonepar’s Green Offer enables our customers to make sustainable choices to master their carbon footprint, thanks to our sustainability rating.

Close collaboration with our suppliers is key, as they provide us with verified environmental data about their products, thanks to Life Cycle Assessments which allows us to compare and rate each product.

Today, we’re focusing on Hager Group, a leading global family-owned company providing safe and simple solutions for electrical installations in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Founded in 1955, the group has dedicated its innovation and practices to sustainability for decades. Hager is at the forefront of the energy transition today, advancing energy distribution and management, as well as e-mobility. Hager is its internationally renowned major brand, distributed in more than 100 countries through 22 manufacturing sites, and it is listed in our online shop.

Hager Group’s sustainability strategy, E3, takes a holistic approach to sustainability. It encompasses three pillars: Ethics, Employees, and Environment. These pillars ensure ethical business practices, foster a healthy and inclusive work environment, and promote the development of safe, reliable, future-proof products. In April 2024, Hager obtained EcoVadis Gold certification, recognizing the Group’s holistic sustainability practices.

Environmental sustainability is at the heart of Hager’s vision and purpose. In 2023, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) approved Hager Group’s short-term science-based climate goals. Since 2022, the group is a member of the German association Klimaschutz Unternehmen e.V., that brings together best-in-class companies pioneering in climate protection.

Hager Group is committed to reducing its operational and product life cycle CO2 emissions and optimizing logistics. At the product level, the company focuses on minimizing packaging waste and plastic, and using more sustainable materials. However, the group’s environmental ambition extends beyond its own operations. An essential aspect of Hager Group’s sustainability approach is to lower its customers’ ecological impact. With the range of products Hager Group offers, the group is a key enabler of the energy transition. Central to the company’s mission are:

  • Promoting renewable energy sources by offering storage systems and solutions for more flexible use of renewables.
  • Facilitating the shift to electrical energy with a comprehensive range of products for the electrical infrastructure in buildings.
  • Reducing carbon emissions and costs through monitoring, automated product solutions, and additional services that optimize energy use.

One key pillar of Hager Group’s environmental sustainability efforts is a commitment to EcoDesign, amongst others focusing on alternatives to virgin plastic and pilots a circular economy where innovative approaches and strong partnerships are crucial. Through Hager Group’s partnership with Avient and Plastic Bank, a series of products partly made with ocean-bound plastics has been created.

This year, the group introduced these products with a new product line in France and Spain: Cubyko Leaf.

This range is about reducing plastic waste in the environment, improving global living conditions, extending material lifecycles, and fostering a more sustainable future. The Group plans to introduce this range to two more markets by early next year. In addition, in Germany and the Netherlands, selected products from the W1 line will be enhanced with the recycled ocean-bound plastic. The launch is planned in the coming months.

Sustainability is about caring and acting to protect the planet while making it attractive for operational excellence.

 

Sonepar and Hager are committed to partnering to offer their customers the best sustainable offers while contributing to the energy transition.

 

SourceSonepar

EMR Analysis

More information on Sonepar: See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on Philippe Delpech (Chief Executive Officer, Sonepar): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on Matt Pothecary (Chief Communications Officer and Sustainability, Sonepar): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services 

More information on Green Offer by Sonepar: https://www.sonepar.com/en/commitments/sustainability/green-offer + Launched in 2022, Sonepar’s Green Offer is a world premiere: it is the first indicator in the industry to compare environmental performance at product level. Available on our webshops at first, the Green Offer is progressively being rolled out physically in branches in our key markets worldwide.

Based on an independently verified methodology, the Green Offer rates individual products according to their whole life CO2 emissions.

As of 2024, the Green Offer is live in Belgium, Italy, France, Germany, Norway and Sweden.

More information on the Sonepar Sustainability Strategy, Environmental and Energy Transition Policy 2023 and on the first Sonepar 2023 CSR Report: See full profile on EMR Executive Services

 

More information on Hager: See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on Sabine Busse (Group Chief Executive Officer, Hager): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on the Hager Sustainability Strategy, E3, the Hager CSR Approach and on the Hager Sustainability Report 2022: See the full profile on EMR Executive Services 

More information on Franck Houdebert (Chief Group Human Resources Officer and the Board of Director’s Sustainability Ambassador, Hager Group): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

 

More information on EcoVadis: https://ecovadis.com + The World’s Most Trusted Business Sustainability Ratings.

Since its founding in 2007, EcoVadis has grown to become the world’s largest and most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, creating a global network of more than 130,000+ rated companies.

Our team is composed of over 1700 highly-talented professionals from 80 nationalities.

The EcoVadis sustainability assessment methodology is at the heart of our Ratings and Scorecards and is an evaluation of how well a company has integrated the principles of Sustainability/CSR into their business and management system.

Our methodology is built on international sustainability standards, including the Global Reporting Initiative, the United Nations Global Compact, and the ISO 26000, covering 200+ spend categories and 180+ countries.

More information on Pierre-François Thaler (Co-Founder & Co-Chief Executive Officer, EcoVadis): https://ecovadis.com/leadership/ + https://www.linkedin.com/in/pfthaler/ 

More information on Frédéric Trinel (Co-Founder & Co-Chief Executive Officer, EcoVadis): https://ecovadis.com/leadership/ 

 

More information on The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi): https://sciencebasedtargets.org/ + The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reductions targets in line with the latest climate science. It is focused on accelerating companies across the world to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050.

The initiative is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments. The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption, and independently assesses and approves companies’ targets.

  • Defines and promotes best practices in emissions reductions and net-zero targets in line with climate science.
  • Provides target setting methods and guidance to companies to set science-based targets in line with the latest climate science.
  • Includes a team of experts to provide companies with independent assessment and validation of targets.
  • Serves as the lead partner of the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign, an urgent call to action from a global coalition of UN agencies, business and industry leaders that mobilizes companies to set net-zero science-based targets in line with a 1.5 degrees C future.

 

More information on Klimaschutz Unternehmen e.V.: https://www.klimaschutz-unternehmen.de/startseite/ + Climate protection company e.V. is a cross-industry company network of the German economy that uses innovative solutions to achieve Germany’s climate policy goals. The association was founded at the suggestion of the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU), the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWi) and the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK). The climate protection companies have proven their pioneering role in a demanding admissions process.

 

More information on The European Union: https://european-union.europa.eu/index_en + The European Union’s institutional set-up is unique and its decision-making system is constantly evolving. The 7 European institutions, 7 EU bodies and over 30 decentralised agencies are spread across the EU. They work together to address the common interests of the EU and European people. 

In terms of administration, there are a further 20 EU agencies and organisations which carry out specific legal functions and 4 interinstitutional services which support the institutions.

All of these establishments have specific roles – from developing EU laws and policy-making to implementing policies and working on specialist areas, such as health, medicine, transport and the environment.

There are 4 main decision-making institutions which lead the EU’s administration. These institutions collectively provide the EU with policy direction and play different roles in the law-making process: 

  • the European Parliament (Brussels/Strasbourg/Luxembourg)
  • the European Council (Brussels)
  • the Council of the European Union (Brussels/Luxembourg)
  • the European Commission (Brussels/Luxembourg/Representations across the EU)

Their work is complemented by other institutions and bodies, which include:

  • the Court of Justice of the European Union (Luxembourg)
  • the European Central Bank (Frankfurt)
  • the European Court of Auditors (Luxembourg)

The EU institutions and bodies cooperate extensively with the network of EU agencies and organisations across the European Union. The primary function of these bodies and agencies is to translate policies into realities on the ground.

Around 60,000 EU civil servants and other staff serve the 450 million Europeans (and countless others around the world).

Currently, 27 countries are part of the EU: https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/country-profiles_en 

More information on The European Commission: https://ec.europa.eu/info/index_en + The Commission helps to shape the EU’s overall strategy, proposes new EU laws and policies, monitors their implementation and manages the EU budget. It also plays a significant role in supporting international development and delivering aid.

The Commission is steered by a group of 27 Commissioners, known as ‘the college’. Together they take decisions on the Commission’s political and strategic direction.

A new college of Commissioners is appointed every 5 years.

The Commission is organised into policy departments, known as Directorates-General (DGs), which are responsible for different policy areas. DGs develop, implement and manage EU policy, law, and funding programmes. In addition, service departments deal with particular administrative issues. Executive agencies manage programmes set up by the Commission.

Principal roles in law: The Commission proposes and implements laws which are in keeping with the objectives of the EU treaties. It encourages input from business and citizens in the law-making process and ensures laws are correctly implemented, evaluated and updated when needed.

More information on Ursula von der Leyen (President, The European Commission): https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-2024/president_en + https://www.linkedin.com/in/ursula-von-der-leyen/ 

More information on the Ecodesign Directive: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/industry/sustainability/sustainable-product-policy-ecodesign_en + The Ecodesign Directive provides consistent EU-wide rules for improving the environmental performance of products, such as household appliances, information and communication technologies or engineering. The directive sets out minimum mandatory requirements for the energy efficiency of these products. This helps prevent creation of barriers to trade, improve product quality and environmental protection. 

The Energy Labelling Regulation may complement those ecodesign requirements with mandatory labelling requirements

 

More information on Avient: https://www.avient.com/ + We are 9,300 diverse and global associates who share a passion for innovation and making a difference. Avient exists to conquer challenges and unlock the potential of innovation and sustainability everywhere on earth. Working together, we connect exceptional people, ideas, and science to create specialized and sustainable materials that enhance performance and protect the environment. With a commitment to tenacious problem-solving and unwavering service, we enable customers to transform their visions into products that improve quality of life in meaningful, dynamic ways.

More information on Dr. Ashish K. Khandpur (Chief Executive Officer, Avient): https://www.avient.com/company/company-officers 

 

More information on Plastic Bank: https://plasticbank.com/ + A social fintech gathering to end poverty. We’re solving poverty and pollution with one transformative idea: plastic as money.

Plastic Bank is a social fintech with a global bottle deposit program that helps end poverty and stops plastic pollution. Collection members exchange plastic for money, social benefits, and beyond. Traceable collection, secured income, and verified reporting is delivered through our blockchain-secured platform. People and businesses reduce their environmental footprint and support communities through an impact subscription. Subscribers access tools to share impact, invite their customers to join, and grow. Collected bottles are returned as recycled feedstock to the circular economy. Plastic Bank is headquartered in Canada with operations in the Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, Egypt, Thailand, and Cameroon. PlasticBank® and Social Plastic® are trademarks of The Plastic Bank Recycling Corporation.

More information on David Katz (Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Plastic Bank): https://plasticbank.com/about/ + https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-katz-4b66178/ 

 

 

 

 

EMR Additional Notes: 

  • Carbon Dioxide (CO2):
    • Primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activities. Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil), solid waste, trees and other biological materials, and also as a result of certain chemical reactions (e.g., manufacture of cement). Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere (or “sequestered”) when it is absorbed by plants as part of the biological carbon cycle.
  • Biogenic Carbon Dioxide (CO2):
    • Biogenic Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) are the same. Scientists differentiate between biogenic carbon (that which is absorbed, stored and emitted by organic matter like soil, trees, plants and grasses) and non-biogenic carbon (that found in all other sources, most notably in fossil fuels like oil, coal and gas).
  • Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):
    • CCS involves the capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial processes. This carbon is then transported from where it was produced, via ship or in a pipeline, and stored deep underground in geological formations.
    • CCS projects typically target 90 percent efficiency, meaning that 90 percent of the carbon dioxide from the power plant will be captured and stored.
  • Decarbonization:
    • Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions through the use of low carbon power sources, achieving a lower output of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.
  • Carbon Footprint:
    • There is no universally agreed definition of what a carbon footprint is. 
    • A carbon footprint is generally understood to be the total amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are directly or indirectly caused by an individual, organization, product, or service. These emissions are typically measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
    • In 2009, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) published a standard for calculating and reporting corporate carbon footprints. This standard is widely accepted by businesses and other organizations around the world. The GHG Protocol defines a carbon footprint as “the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organization, directly and indirectly, through its own operations and the value chain.”
  • CO2e:
    • CO2e means “carbon dioxide equivalent”. In layman’s terms, CO2e is a measurement of the total greenhouse gases emitted, expressed in terms of the equivalent measurement of carbon dioxide. On the other hand, CO2 only measures carbon emissions and does not account for any other greenhouse gases.
    • A carbon dioxide equivalent or CO2 equivalent, abbreviated as CO2-eq is a metric measure used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases on the basis of their global-warming potential (GWP), by converting amounts of other gases to the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide with the same global warming potential.
      • Carbon dioxide equivalents are commonly expressed as million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents, abbreviated as MMTCDE.
      • The carbon dioxide equivalent for a gas is derived by multiplying the tonnes of the gas by the associated GWP: MMTCDE = (million metric tonnes of a gas) * (GWP of the gas).
      • For example, the GWP for methane is 25 and for nitrous oxide 298. This means that emissions of 1 million metric tonnes of methane and nitrous oxide respectively is equivalent to emissions of 25 and 298 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide.
  • Carbon Credits or Carbon Offsets:
    • Permits that allow the owner to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. One credit permits the emission of one ton of carbon dioxide or the equivalent in other greenhouse gases.
    • The carbon credit is half of a so-called cap-and-trade program. Companies that pollute are awarded credits that allow them to continue to pollute up to a certain limit, which is reduced periodically. Meanwhile, the company may sell any unneeded credits to another company that needs them. Private companies are thus doubly incentivized to reduce greenhouse emissions. First, they must spend money on extra credits if their emissions exceed the cap. Second, they can make money by reducing their emissions and selling their excess allowances.

 

  • Circular Economy: 
    • A circular economy is a systemic approach to economic development designed to benefit businesses, society, and the environment. In contrast to the ‘take-make-waste’ linear model, a circular economy is regenerative by design and aims to gradually decouple growth from the consumption of finite resources.
    • In such an economy, all forms of waste, such as clothes, scrap metal and obsolete electronics, are returned to the economy or used more efficiently.
    • The aim of a circular economy is hence to create a closed-loop system where waste and pollution are minimized and resources are conserved, reducing the environmental impact of production and consumption.
  • Sustainability Vs. Circular Economy:
    • Circularity focuses on resource cycles, while sustainability is more broadly related to people, the planet and the economy. Circularity and sustainability stand in a long tradition of related visions, models and theories.
    • A sustainable circular economy involves designing and promoting products that last and that can be reused, repaired and remanufactured. This retains the functional value of products, rather than just recovering the energy or materials they contain and continuously making products anew.