Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA

Overall approach

4/10
- Overarching commitment on deforestation
  
  0/4
- Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
  
  1/1
  
  Signatory
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  [Translation] As a member of the UN Global Compact Bertelsmann supports agenda 2030"
  
  Open source document
- Awareness of the value of forests
  
  1/1
  
  Awareness
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  "Trees from ancient and endangered forests and high conservation value forests must not be used for the production of our papers."
  
  Open source document
- Deforestation as a business risk
  
  1/1
  
  Business risk
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  What type of risk is recognised?: Financial; Operational
  
  "Paper continues to be a particular priority at Bertelsmann, representing the most important resource for the company’s traditional print media business. Even in an increasingly digitized media landscape, printed books, magazines, brochures, and flyers continue to have their place. Therefore, sustainable forestry, resource conservation, climate protection, and waste avoidance play a major role for Bertelsmann across the entire paper value chain."
  
  Open source document
- High-level management of deforestion
  
  1/1
  
  High-level management
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  Which commodities does it apply to?: Pulp & paper
  
  How often does the committee or board meet to assess company's progress on addressing deforestation-related issues?: Not specified
  
  The Bertelsmann Environmental Policy , the Bertelsmann Energy & Climate Policy , and the Bertelsmann Paper Policy provide the framework for the Group’s environmental management. In addition to climate neutrality (see GRI 305 ) and the shift to 100 percent green electricity (see GRI 302 ), Bertelsmann strives to ensure the sustainable procurement of paper (see GRI 301 ).All Group-wide environmental efforts are coordinated by the Corporate Responsibility department under the supervision by the Chief Human Resources Officer. Cross-divisional coordination is handled by the Corporate Responsibility Council, which is chaired by the Chief HR Officer. Overall responsibility lies with the Bertelsmann Executive Board, which monitors the achievement of environmental goals annually as part of strategic planning. Operational responsibility for energy and environmental management lies with the managements of the individual Bertelsmann companies, which set and track their own targets for improving their environmental performance as part of local management systems."
  
  Open source document
- Executive compensation linked to deforestation
- Target to reduce emissions from land-use change
  
  0/1
- Reporting on emissions from land-use change
  
  0/1
- Disclosure of conservation activity
- Disclosure of reforestation activity
  
  Reforestation disclosure
  
  Yes
  
  0/0
  
  How many hectares of reforestation or restoration are being or have been conducted or facilitated by the company?: 1,055 ha
  
  "Since last year, Bertelsmann has purchased climate protection certificates from the “Campo Grande” reforestation project in Brazil. The project covers an area of 1,055 hectares, was implemented on former farmland and protects not only the climate but also biodiversity in the region."
  
  Open source document
- Target to reduce emissions in scope 1/2
  
  Reduce emissions
  
  Yes
  
  0/0
  
  What is the target date for the company to achieve their climate target?: 2030
  
  Is this target aligned with/verified by SBTi?: No
  
  Type of climate target: Net-zero emissions
  
  "Bertelsmann has set itself an ambitious environmental goal: By 2030, the international media, services, and education company intends to be climate neutral. By then, Bertelsmann aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions generated at its locations, by its employees’ mobility, and the manufacture of its own products by 50 percent compared with 2018. At that time, these emissions amounted to one million tons of CO2. The remaining emissions will be offset. Bertelsmann will also support its business customers in reducing product-related emissions."
  
  Open source document
Commodity score

17/90
- Pulp & Paper
  
  17/90
  - Commitment Strength
    
    4/17
    - Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
      
      2/4
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        Yes
        
        2/2
        
        Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        
        Yes
        
        2/2
        
        "no wood must be used for the production of paper which originates from protected forests or virgin forests. In addition Bertelsmann-companies take care that the paper in use has a recycling proportion that is as high as possible apart from certified wood fibres [...] Bertelsmann aspires to increase the proportion of recycled paper and paper from certified sustainable forestry to 100%. Apart from recycled paper certified paper qualifies as sustainably procured paper which meets the criteria for FSC, PEFC, SFI or comparable standards:"
        
        Open source document
      - Target date
        Post 2050 or no target date
        
        0/1
      - Interim target date
        No
        
        0/0.5
    - Commitment to a traceable supply chain
      
      0/7.5
      - Commitment details
        No traceability commitment
        
        0/4
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        No
        
        0/2
      - Target date
        Post 2050 or no target date
        
        0/1
      - Interim target date
        No
        
        0/0.5
  - Associated Human Rights Abuses
    
    4/17
    - Labour rights in the supply chain
      Yes
      
      3/3
      
      Labour rights in the supply chain
      
      Yes
      
      3/3
      
      How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: Tier 1
      
      Details of commitment: ILO; UNGP; UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association
      
      "Business partners for the purposes of this Supplier Code of Conduct, who we expect to comply with the standards set down herein, shall include all third parties who act for, on behalf of, or together with Bertelsmann. These include, among others, suppliers, sales partners, consultants, agents, subcontractors, minority shareholders, sales representatives and freelance collaborators. [...] discrimination [...] Forced Labor {...] Child Labour [...] Freedom of Association [...] Our business partners support the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Global Compact, the UN Guiding Principles on business and human rights and the core labor standards of the ILO"
      
      Open source document
    - Inclusion of small-scale farmers
      No
      
      0/2
    - Gender equality in the supply chain
      Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
      
      1/2
      
      Gender equality in the supply chain
      
      Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
      
      0.5/2
      
      "Business partners for the purposes of this Supplier Code of Conduct, who we expect to comply with the standards set down herein, shall include all third parties who act for, on behalf of, or together with Bertelsmann. These include, among others, suppliers, sales partners, consultants, agents, subcontractors, minority shareholders, sales representatives and freelance collaborators. [...] Our business partners do not tolerate discrimination against employees or applicants for employment because of race, national or ethnic origin, gender,"
      
      Open source document
    - Commitment to remediation
      Yes
      
      1/1
      
      Commitment to remediation
      
      Yes
      
      0.5/1
      
      What does the commitment cover?: Social harm
      
      Our business partners observe the applicable regulations regarding environmental protection, in particular regarding operational and product-related environmental protection. > We expect from our business partners responsible sourcing and use of natural resources. [...] In the event of violations of the Bertelsmann Supplier Code of Conduct, Bertelsmann reserves the right to respond in a manner appropriate to the severity of the violation. This includes, but is not limited to, making a request for the immediate remediation of the violation, asserting claims for damages or terminating the contract. In the event of serious violations of the Bertelsmann Supplier Code of Conduct, Bertelsmann reserves the right to terminate the contract without notice."
      
      Open source document
    - Commitment to test Free, Prior and Informed Consent
      No
      
      0/3
    - Commitment to respect customary rights to land, resources, and territory
      No
      
      0/3
    - Zero-tolerance approach to violence and threats
      No
      
      0/3
  - Implementation and Reporting
    
    9/56
    - Reporting proportion of compliant volumes
      
      0/0
    - Reporting is independently verified
      Yes, using a third-party verification scheme or certification scheme
      
      2/2
      
      Reporting is independently verified
      
      Yes, using a third-party verification scheme or certification scheme
      
      2/2
      
      What methods are used for verification?: FSC®, PEFC™, SFI®
      
      For what percent of the company's supply volume is third-party verification of performance relative to commitments conducted?: 78%
      
      What percent of the company's supply volume is verified using company verification systems?: NA
      
      Which processes or groups does the company use for third party verification?: FSC®, PEFC™, SFI®
      
      Which tools, approaches, third-party verification, including certification, schemes are used?: FSC®, PEFC™, SFI®
      
      Is the performance of compliance of some suppliers, sources, or origins not verified, and if so why not?: NA
      
      Open source document
    - Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
      No
      
      0/3
    - Deforestation cut off date
      No
      
      0/2
    - Collaborative actions
      No
      
      0/2
    - Jurisdictional approach focused on sustainable land use
      No
      
      0/2
    - Risk assessments for forest risk
      No
      
      0/2
    - Operations assessed to comply with law
      No
      
      0/2
    - Accessible grievance mechanism
      Yes, publicly accessible grievance mechanism
      
      2/4
      
      Accessible grievance mechanism
      
      Yes, publicly accessible grievance mechanism
      
      2/4
      
      What is the nature of the grievance mechanism used by the company?: Own mechanism
      
      Which issues does the grievance mechanism cover?: Social; Environmental
      
      [translation] "Speak Up Channels: raise concerns and report violationsAt Bertelsmann, employees, business partners and third parties always have the opportunity to ask questions or raise concerns about potential misconduct in a confidential and secure manner. [...] You can also contact an external ombudsperson appointed by Bertelsmann. The role of the ombudsperson is to act as a neutral and independent contact person to advise and support whistleblowers in clarifying a suspicion of material violations of the Code of Conduct. The ombudsperson treats communication with the whistleblower confidentially and only passes on facts and the identity of the whistleblower to the company with the express consent of the whistleblower.Ombudsperson for Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia (based in Germany)ombuds@zettelmachen.deTel. +49 (0) 32-211 11 23 39Toll-free: 0800-664 7879 (only from Germany)Ombudsperson for North and South America (US based)ombuds2@discussconcerns.comTel. +1 646-981-0753 Toll Free: 877-278-0303 (US only)"
      
      Open source document
    - Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
      Reporting total volume
      
      3/3
      
      Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
      
      Reporting total volume
      
      3/3
      
      Reporting non-certified/non-compliant volume: 22%
      
      What is the non-DCF commodity volume sourced from known production areas, and proportion of total supply chain volume this represents?: NA
      
      What product types/sectors is this in?: paper
      
      Total volume: 1,438,350 tonnes
      
      Reporting certified/compliant volume: 877,761 tonnes certified
      
      " Total paper after consolidation: (Total Paper tons): 1,438,350 (of which recycled tons): 238,174 (of which certified tons): 877,761"
      
      Open source document
    - Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
      No
      
      0/5
    - Monitor compliance for zero tolerance approach and customary rights
      No
      
      0/5
    - Downstream: Reporting suppliers
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
      No engagement or exclusion
      
      0/2
    - Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
      No disclosure
      
      0/2
Commitment strength

4/17

Avg. score
Implementation and Reporting

9/56

Avg. score
Associated Human Rights Abuses

4/17

Avg. score

Profile

Bertelsmann is a media and services company operating in 50 countries around the world. Its major operations are in television and radio, publishing and magazines. The most important markets are the US and Europe, but China, Brazil and India are growing markets. The company is one of the largest book publishers in the world and uses a significant amount of paper. Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA is selected as a powerbroker for pulp & paper.

Sector

Industry sector

Printing & publishing

Segments

Manufacturer, Retailer

Germany

Company Type

Company type

Collective Commitments

Consumer Goods Forum member

New York Declaration on Forests signatory

Top Brands

Penguin Random House, Gruenr + Jahr, Stern, Geo, Brigitte, Essen & Trinken, Bertelsmann Printing

How we assess the Forest 500

To ensure deforestation free supply chains, companies need to adopt and implement timebound and measurable policies for forest risk commodities.

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Disclaimer

This assessment has been carried out following the methodology developed for the Forest 500 project, available here. Please see our disclaimer applicable to all information contained within this site and our terms and conditions for use of data presented on this site.

All assessments use policies published on company and financial institution websites, and while we endeavor to keep them updated some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

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