Author Topic: Daimler Highlights Commitment to Chinese Market with 5th Sustainability Dialogue  (Read 1848 times)

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Beijing – The 5th Daimler China Sustainability Dialogue was held in Beijing on September 15, with around 200 attendees from politics, business, academia, NGOs, and industry associations exploring the challenges facing sustainability. Sustainable development is an important topic for Daimler, and since 2010 the China Sustainability Dialogue has been a key way the company engages in this important conversation with its Chinese stakeholders, who have played pivotal roles in the company’s development.

“As our roots here in China grow deeper, we continually work towards sustainable development together with our partners,” said Hubertus Troska, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Greater China. “Our efforts in environmentally-conscious production, the development of local talent, and our social programs to promote the wellbeing of Chinese society go hand-in-hand with our development as a business. The Daimler Sustainability Dialogue brings all these threads together as we explore with our stakeholders how to continue sustainable development here in China.”

“At Daimler, sustainability is a key factor for our success. Corporate Social Responsibility has been and will further be an important part of our strategy. The new technologies transforming the automotive industry will have a profound impact on the sustainability of tomorrow’s economies,” said Renata Jungo Brüngger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Integrity and Legal Affairs, and Co-Chairman of the Corporate Sustainability Board. “By exploring ideas together with our local partners, stakeholders, and experts, we can craft solutions to future challenges, from standards and legal aspects to public safety and welfare.”

In her keynote address, Liu Meng, Head of Asia and Oceania, United Nations Global Compact, talked about how corporate support can through innovation speed up the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. As the world’s principal initiative for responsible corporate governance, the UN Global Compact forms an important framework for the sustainability initiatives at Daimler. The company was one of the first to sign the UN Global Compact in 2000, and is a member of its LEAD group. Daimler aligns its business operations with the UN Global Compact principles.

Over the course of the day, attendees broke in four working groups – Automobile Economy, Environment, Human Resources, and Integrity and Legal – to discuss issues pertaining to sustainability. By bringing these groups together with representatives from Daimler’s management team, the dialogue allows participants to jointly explore future options for sustainability.

As part of the Sustainability Dialogue, Daimler Greater China also presented its sustainability report for China.

Daimler’s Commitment to Sustainable Development in China

Daimler’s local commitment begins with promoting China’s automotive industry. In July this year, Daimler and BAIC agreed to further strengthen strategic collaboration for new energy vehicles (NEVs), investing around 5 billion RMB (about 655 million euros) in the production of battery electric vehicles and battery localization at Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. (BBAC). Manufacturing at BBAC has also been made more sustainable, with 2016 seeing 13% less energy consumed per vehicle produced compared to 2015, and increased efficiency saving over 10 million kWh of electricity. This was achieved in part through increased use of energy efficiency devices and new, more intelligent production methods. car2go, Daimler’s car-sharing service in China, helps reduce urban congestion and promote energy efficiency. As of August, customers in China drove over 11.7 million km – enough to travel around the world nearly 300 times.

Daimler’s corporate social responsibility and educational programs in China have continued to expand over the years. Daimler’s vocational training in China celebrated its tenth anniversary last year. Since 2006, more than 5,000 young people have enrolled, and around 130 teachers have been trained. In collaboration with 22 vocational schools across the country, Daimler offers a dual concept providing both theoretical and practical training, for instance at production plants or after-sales departments of Mercedes-Benz dealers. Since 2007, Mercedes-Benz has continually supported China’s social development. Together with its dealer partners, the company has raised over 100 million RMB (over 12 million euros) for its CSR projects, benefiting over one million people in total.

Road safety is a core value for Daimler given its role in pioneering the automobile. As part of the company’s global Safe Roads initiative, the local Safe Roads China initiative focuses on raising public awareness for safety in road traffic. At the Sustainability Dialogue in Beijing, the Safe Roads China exhibition shared with event participants the various programs that the initiative is undertaking.

About Daimler Greater China

Daimler Greater China Ltd. (DGRC) was founded in Beijing in 2001, and is responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Trucks and Buses, Daimler Financial Services and Daimler Global Parts and Services in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. China has been the largest single market for Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles worldwide since 2015. With its innovative products, customer-focused services, continuous investments, and long-term alliances with strong local partners, Daimler Greater China has consistently proven its commitment to its Chinese customers.