The Wilo Group received the famous German sustainable development award (Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis, DNP) in the field of climate transition. The German Sustainability Award recognizes companies for which sustainability is part of their business strategy.
“We are proud that an industrial company has been recognized as a pioneer in the fight against climate change. This is a strong signal and proof that we are a company that takes part in climate protection ”, says Oliver Hermes, Chairman and CEO of the Wilo Group.
Sustainability is an integral part of the business strategy of the Wilo Group. By 2025, for example, 100 million people must have better access to safe drinking water.
“Our products, systems and solutions help deliver water to people around the world in a smart, efficient and climate-friendly way,” emphasizes Oliver Hermes.
Wilo was already selected as one of the “50 world leaders in sustainability and climate” last August. The global sustainability and climate protection initiative involves companies acting on the basis of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The crisis as an opportunity for transformation
The German Sustainability Prize committee sees 2020 as a year of change. More than ever, we need business models capable of driving change and using the crisis as an opportunity for real transformation.
“The global climate needs pioneers. At Wilo, we aim not only to promote the topic of energy efficiency, but also to be a pioneer in climate protection and digital technology. We do this with the firm belief that the most connected, smart, and energy efficient products are always the smartest choice. This means that digital transformation, energy efficiency and climate protection are closely linked ”, explains Oliver Hermes.
Climate protection remains one of the main challenges of our time, even though the coronavirus crisis has temporarily relegated socio-political discourse on global environmental and climate policy in recent months.
Accelerate the transformation towards greater sustainability
"As global challenges such as climate change and species extinction have intensified in recent years, the skills of a sustainable economy have grown in parallel," says Stefan Schulze-Hausmann, initiator of the German Sustainable Development Award. "We are looking for companies that use these skills boldly and effectively to accelerate the transformation towards greater sustainability."
With its sustainable development strategy, which is based on corporate strategy, Wilo focuses on seven of the 17 United Nations SDGs that correspond to the values and objectives of the group.
At Wilo, everyone is a pioneer in climate protection
“I would like to thank all those at Wilo who hold the issue of the environment in high regard. That is to say all of our 8 employees around the world. They are all pioneers in climate protection and have contributed to Wilo winning this award. Climate protection has been part of our DNA since the creation of the company in 000, that is to say for around 1872 years ”, emphasizes Oliver Hermes.
The prize is awarded by the German Sustainability Prize Foundation (Stiftung Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis) in cooperation with the German government, the Association of German Cities, business associations, civil society organizations and research institutes. The award was presented on December 4 at an online gala.