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Sustainability Strategy and Targets
Sustainability is a core component of our corporate strategy. We aim to supply innovative products, technologies and services worldwide that contribute to the sustainable success of our customers.
Together with our customers we are looking to the future, and our decision-making processes include both business considerations and ecological and social aspects. The basis for this is a 360 degree view of our value and production chains. In this way we improve our performance and strengthen the future of our company.
Anchoring in the organization
Sustainability activities at thyssenkrupp are managed and developed groupwide by the Sustainability Committee, which consists of the Executive Board from the thyssenkrupp AG, the CEOs of the segments, Heads of Corporate Centers and internal sustainability experts. The Committee takes decisions on thyssenkrupp's overall sustainability strategy, including decisions on the implementation of innovative actions and new strategies, as well the setting and monitoring of sustainability-related targets and the review and implementation of key stakeholders' expectations.
Furthermore, a dedicated Sustainability Council, consisting of representatives of the segments, the services lines and group functions of thyssenkrupp AG, implements key processes and coordinates data collection processes as well as initiatives in the frame of thyssenkrupp’s sustainability strategy.
Non-financial targets to secure continuous improvement
thyssenkrupp aims to continuously improve its sustainability performance. In this frame, the Sustainability Committee has set non-financial targets (NFT) in the areas of technology and innovations, environment, climate, energy, purchasing and people. Since fiscal year 2020 / 2021, we have been integrating sustainability activities gradually into the long-term compensation (Long-Term-Incentive - LTI) of the Executive Board and top-level management through the NFTs. Further details can also be found in the Compensation report and in the annual report. Information on the NFTs can be found in the annual report here.
Considering the interests of various stakeholder groups is accorded high priority by thyssenkrupp and their requirements in respect of key sustainability matters are determined continuously via various processes. On this basis, we derive targets and actions for improving our sustainability performance and expand these as part of our ongoing strategic development.
Overview of non-financial targets
| thyssenkrupp | 30.09.2024 | 30.09.2025 | More information | |
| Annual energy efficiency gains of 125 GWh in 2024 / 2025 and 110 GWh in 2025 / 2026 | GWh | 360 | 162 | ESRS E1: Climate change |
| Annual reduction of emission intensity by 1 t CO2 per million € sales to 34.5 t CO2 per million € sales in 2024 / 2025 | t CO2 per million € sales | 31.1 | 31.4 | |
| Sustainable adjusted R&D intensity of around 3.0% | % | 2.9 | 3.2 | Technology and innovations |
| Increase the proportion of women in management positions by at least 1% per year to 22% by 2029 / 2030 | % | 16.1 | 17.5 | ESRS S1: Own workforce |
| Reduce the accident frequency rate to 1.9 by 2027 / 2028 | accidents per million hours worked | 2.4 | 2.7 | ESRS S1: Own workforce |
| Achievement of a High Risk Reduction of 36.4% by 2026 / 2027 | % | 57.0 | 43.9 | ESRS S2: Workers in the value chain |
| Increase in the employee Net Promoter Score to a value > 0 by 2025 / 2026 | # | (5) | (6) | |
Approach to our sustainability reporting
thyssenkrupp report on its sustainability performance continously in a separate section of its annual report and on its corporate website. The sustainability report for fiscal year 2024 / 2025 was prepared for the first time in full application of the first set of European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Due to the lack of a national implementation law, the ESRS were applied as a framework. In addition, the legally binding HGB requirements for a non-financial group statement based on the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are fulfilled. The company does not publish a printed sustainability report.
The sustainability topics that are material to thyssenkrupp and our stakeholders follow the principle of double materiality in accordance with the requirements of the ESRS, which specify the reporting obligations of the CSRD. As part of this assessment, we consider both the impact of our business activities on the environment and society (inside-out perspective) and the risks and opportunities caused by external influences on our business model (outside-in perspective) in terms of their economic relevance. The multistage assessment process is described in detail in the annual report.
Our sustainability reporting system is based on the reporting boundary of our financial reporting, which in turn is based on IFRS standards and the German Commercial Code (HGB). Unless otherwise stated, the information refers to all fully consolidated operations. In accordance with IFRS we also report on our 50% shareholding in Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann GmbH (HKM).
Our annual report includes key information for the fiscal year, which at thyssenkrupp starts on 1st October and ends on 30th September. Additional reporting on the webpage takes place on an ongoing basis and is not tied to a specific reporting cycle. Performance indicators refer to a fiscal year. Unless otherwise indicated, the data always refer to the past fiscal year.
The sustainability reporting includes a large amount of data collected via a variety of data systems. These data systems are adapted to the specific challenges of the area involved. All content in the annual report is audited externally.
Overview of non-financial disclosures (sustainability report)
The full non-financial disclosures pursuant to Art. 289b ff. and Art. 315b ff. of the German Commercial Code (HGB) is contained in a separate chapter "Sustainability report" in the annual report. The sustainability report also fully complies the requirements of Directive (EU) 2022/2464 of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 14, 2022 (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, CSRD) as a framework. The information contained in the sustainability report applies equally to the group and to thyssenkrupp AG. In addition, the Sustainability Report contains the information required under Article 8 of Regulation 2020/852 (EU Taxonomy Regulation).
The following reconciliation of non-financial disclosures to the ESRS shows how the sustainability aspects are reconciled in accordance with HGB requirements to the ESRS topical standards that are material to thyssenkrupp. It also shows in which sections of the annual report these aspects are located. Further information is available on the relevant pages of the thyssenkrupp website.
ESG Ratings – Overview
For the ninth time in a row, CDP has recognized thyssenkrupp as one of the world's leading companies in climate protection by including the company in its Climate Protection A List. CDP is a non-profit organization that collects climate data from companies, cities, countries and regions worldwide and makes it available to investors. CDP conducts its annual assessment on behalf of over 700 financial instiitutions with USD 140 trillion in assets, among others, and has reviewed over 24,800 companies worldwide as part of its assessment. The rating scale ranges from A for best performance to D-. With its inclusion in the CDP's “Climate A List” last year, thyssenkrupp is among the companies that have made it into the best category.
MSCI ESG Research, is a global leader in ESG sustainability analysis and ratings, with the aim of identifying material ESG risks and opportunities and measuring a company's resilience to long-term, industry-relevant ESG risks. The rating scale ranges from AAA for the best-rated companies to CCC. thyssenkrupp received an "A" rating in 2024 and is thus among the best 30 percent of companies in the same industry rated by MSCI.
Sustainalytics rates more than 16,000 companies worldwide, making it one of the largest sustainability rating agencies. Sustainalytics measures the degree of material ESG risk a company is exposed to on a scale of 0 to100 and assesses how well it manages its risks.
Due to its industry classification, thyssenkrupp is already rated with a high ESG risk exposure in the baseline, which can be reduced through strong ESG risk management. In 2023, thyssenkrupp significantly improved its performance again and achieved a rating of 25.6, which made it one of the top 6% of the "Industrial Conglomerates" sector.
ISS ESG is one of the world's leading rating agencies in the area of sustainable investments. The rating scale ranges from A+ to D-. thyssenkrupp was awarded a "C" in 2021. In the industry comparison the so-called Decile Rank, which ranges from 1 (high (relative) performance) to 10 (low (relative) performance) and indicates how well a company performs in its industry, thyssenkrupp received a 2.
The Ecovadis rating analyzes and evaluates policies, measures and published reporting of over 130,000 companies of all sizes and sectors in the areas of environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. The rating scale ranges from 0 to 100. thyssenkrupp was rated with a score of 72 in August 2024 and awarded a silver medal. With this result thyssenkrupp is among the top 15% of companies rated by Ecovadis.
ESG Ratings
ESG rating agencies assess a company's engagement in sustainable business practices. The rating results, known as score, enable transparency as well as comparability of a company's sustainability performance with respect to environmental, social and governance factors. Various stakeholder groups such as investors, customers and creditors demand ESG ratings as a prerequisite for business relationships.
Leading rating agencies regularly recognize thyssenkrupp's engagement in environmental, social and responsible corporate governance with good results.
We regard the ratings by the rating agencies as valuable feedback on our sustainability performance. We use the results as an opportunity to analyze our sustainability activities, continuously drive improvements and integrate new requirements into our sustainability management.
thyssenkrupp consisting of industrial and technology businesses. The rating assessments listed below are answered by thyssenkrupp AG and relate to the sustainability performance of the whole company.
Further information
We have compiled answers to frequently asked questions. As a general rule you will also find most of the information on the relevant pages, e.g. environment & energy or compliance. Our experts would be pleased to help with any further information you may require on sustainability at thyssenkrupp. Direct your inquiries to the “Sustainability Strategy, Reporting & Ratings” team. Please note that due to the large number of inquiries, it is not always possible to answer all questions. In addition, journalists can contact the press department, investors and analysts our Investor Relations team, and suppliers our Purchasing function.
Where can I find thyssenkrupp’s sustainability report?
thyssenkrupp provides continuous and fully integrated reporting on its sustainability performance within its annual report and on its corporate website. Accordingly, the sustainability report is made up of various documents. The overview page on sustainability provides links to all key content.
Can you send me a printed sustainability report?
As neither our website content nor our annual report is published in printed form, the content is only available online.
Who is responsible for sustainability at thyssenkrupp?
At thyssenkrupp, responsibility for sustainability lies with the Executive Board and the Sustainability Committee. Activities are coordinated by the corporate function Technology, Innovation, and Sustainability. Click here to find out more.
How does thyssenkrupp manage the area of human rights?
Human rights play a relevant role in various management processes at thyssenkrupp. Accordingly, our human rights policy is made up of various documents, above all the Code of Conduct, the Supplier Code of Conduct, further policy for Occupational Safety and Health, and the International Framework Agreement. It is therefore implemented in particular in the thyssenkrupp's processes relating to compliance, procurement and employee rights.
I have a project that could be of interest to thyssenkrupp and am looking for support. Who should I contact?
thyssenkrupp is involved in a large number of projects around the world. In your inquiry please indicate the connection your project has with thyssenkrupp’s business and which of the company’s sites it could fit in with.
In which sustainability indexes is thyssenkrupp listed and how well does the company rank?
thyssenkrupp is included in a variety of indexes and rankings, such as CDP, oekom, sustainalytics and MSCI. These days, the majority of indexes rank individual aspects rather than providing an overall rating. At CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), which still provides an overall rating, thyssenkrupp was included on CDP's global A List in 2024. We have thus been recognized as one of the world's leading companies in climate protection.
I am writing a degree dissertation on the subject of corporate social responsibility. Does thyssenkrupp take part in studies of this kind?
Like many other major corporations, thyssenkrupp receives numerous requests to take part in studies. As a result we can only take part in a select few. Please check out this website first to see if the information you require is not already provided.