Municipal utilities are among "Germany's best" when it comes to sustainability
04.08.2021 – Stadtwerke Offenbach has a particularly good image when it comes to sustainability, according to a study commissioned by FOCUS Money. In August 2021, they received the "Germany's Best - Sustainability" award for this.
The study by DEUTSCHLAND TEST and the Institute for Management and Economic Research (IMWF) examined which companies and brands in Germany act in a particularly sustainable manner from the point of view of consumers. The IMWF used a social listening analysis to do this: from March 2020 to February 2021, it evaluated 41 million mentions from 438 million online sources, including social media. The focus of the artificial intelligence used for this was on sustainability - for the IMWF "the non-plus-ultra topic of our time". In addition to ecological aspects, economic and social sustainability were also evaluated. The result of the points ranking: out of 24,000 companies and brands, 1,200 were perceived as particularly sustainable - and out of 457 municipal utilities analyzed, only 29 received the "Germany's Best - Sustainability" seal. Offenbach took 27th place here.
Incentive for further expansion of the commitment
"We are delighted to receive this award: it proves that our constantly growing efforts towards greater sustainability are also being recognized," says Lord Mayor Felix Schwenke. Stadtwerke Managing Director Peter Walther now sees the seal as an incentive "to continue driving forward sustainable action at all levels." Stadtwerke Offenbach has been introducing electric buses in local public transport since the end of 2020, and more and more vehicles at Stadtservice are also running on electricity. The real estate sector, whose port development received an award for its sustainability back in 2011, is building environmentally friendly schools and daycare centers made of wood and is also planning and implementing new bicycle lanes. There is a sustainability consultant at the Capitol and Stadthalle Offenbach, and Stadtwerke Offenbach is promoting landscape conservation and biodiversity in Offenbach with the Mainbogen sheep farm.
The socially sustainable commitment to employees also plays an important role. Stadtwerke makes numerous family-friendly offers: There are part-time models from the managing director to the trainee and working hours that are as flexible as possible according to individual needs. The company's social work covers various topics. Mobile working was already in place at Stadtwerke before coronavirus, for example when children are ill or daycare centers are closed. There are also subsidies for kindergarten fees and discounted offers for job tickets, vacation soccer camps or electricity and gas tariffs. Stadtwerke Offenbach also has a lasting impact on society with its donation and sponsorship activities: in 2020, almost 320,000 euros flowed into local sporting, social and cultural life.
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August 4, 2021