The 2025 Sustainable Global Leaders Conference is taking place from October 16 to 18 in the Shanghai Expo Park. Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Bosch Group, attended the conference via video and delivered a speech.
In his address, Hartung emphasized that sustainability is a cornerstone for the future development of both business and society in these challenging and uncertain times. He stated that Bosch has always viewed sustainability as a strategic priority and a key driver of business growth, harnessing innovative technologies to achieve this goal. Based on this strategic commitment, Bosch established a comprehensive sustainability strategy as early as 2018, focusing on six key dimensions: climate action, circular economy, water resources, human rights, people, and health, while setting clear interim targets—aiming to reduce absolute scope 3 emissions (from product use, suppliers, and logistics) by approximately 30% over the next five years, based on 2018 levels.
"This target reflects our determination to act decisively, regardless of growth pressures or market fluctuations," Hartung stated.
As most scope 3 emissions arise from product use, sustainable innovation has become at the core of Bosch’s growth strategy. Hartung highlighted that Bosch is helping customers reduce their carbon footprint through a series of innovative solutions. The product range includes technologies for electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells, heat pump dryers, and intelligent washing machines. These products significantly lower carbon emissions by improving the efficiency of energy, water, and detergent usage, showcasing how innovation drives sustainability.
In the area of low-carbon transformation in supply chain and logistics, Bosch has also undertaken systematic initiatives. Hartung revealed that Bosch is encouraging over 4,500 global suppliers to participate in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), with 600 of those suppliers located in China. The company provides targeted training and sustainability programs to ensure that their operations align with Bosch's sustainable development goals. For decarbonizing logistics, Bosch has initiated a pilot hydrogen fuel cell logistics project, which has already yielded preliminary results, providing a practicable example for low-carbon transportation.
As one of Bosch's most significant markets, China plays a crucial role in the company's sustainability journey. Hartung particularly emphasized that sharing local innovations and expertise from the Chinese market will benefit industries both regionally and globally.
Full speech transcript: Dear distinguished guests,
It is an honor to join the 5th ESG Global Leaders Conference virtually. In these challenging and uncertain times, sustainability is a cornerstone for the future of business and society. Bosch embraces sustainability as both a strategic priority and a key driver of business growth, boosted by innovative technologies. Building on this commitment, Bosch developed a comprehensive sustainability strategy in 2018, structured around six key dimensions: climate action, circular economy, water, human rights, people, and health. This strategy guides our operations and shapes our most ambitious sustainability target: Our aim is to reduce scope 3 emissions from product use, suppliers, and logistics about 30 percent in absolute terms over the next five years. The reduction will be measured against our 2018 baseline. This target reflects our determination to act decisively, regardless of growth or market turbulence.
Since most of the scope 3 emissions come from product use, sustainable innovation is at the core of Bosch’s growth strategy. We develop solutions and products that help customers reduce their carbon footprint. Our portfolio ranges from electrified vehicle technologies and hydrogen fuel cells to heat pump dryers and intelligent washing machines. These examples show how innovation drives sustainability. These products lower carbon emissions through improved energy, water, and detergent efficiency. We firmly believe that sustainability is not only essential for our planet but also a key driver for our business. This belief also shapes our heating, ventilation and air conditioning division, which we recently strengthened with our acquisition of Johnson Controls’ and Hitachi’s residential and light commercial HVAC business.
We aim to make this technology even more efficient—such as by operating these systems with renewable energy and integrating them into our energy management systems. At the same time, we at Bosch are advancing a more sustainable supply chain by engaging our over 4,500 suppliers worldwide in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), with 600 of them from China. We support them through targeted training and sustainability programs to make sure their operations align with our sustainability targets. Beyond supplier engagement, we are also working to decarbonize logistics. One example is a pilot hydrogen fuel cell logistics project, which is designed to cut emissions and promote low-carbon transportation.
Ladies and gentlemen, China is one of Bosch’s most important markets and plays a vital role in our sustainability journey. Sharing local innovation and expertise benefits industries regionally and globally. I look forward to this conference, which brings partners together to collaborate and drive progress toward a more sustainable life and industries.
Thank you!