Forward Faster
Whether it’s climate change, migration, gender equality, inclusion, or other key sustainability topics, urgent action is needed to address today’s social and environmental challenges and secure the long-term competitiveness of the German economy.
The UN Global Compact’s “Forward Faster” initiative has identified five key areas for businesses to drive the 2030 Agenda forward. Companies looking to make a measurable contribution to sustainability should focus on “Climate, Fair Wages, Gender Equality, Water, and Financing.” These areas often yield positive synergy effects that support other sustainability goals.
Priya Jain, QHSE Manager at robos-labels, represented us on-site in Berlin, gathering insights and new ideas. Read more in the following interview.
What inspiring ideas on sustainability did you bring back from Berlin?
The UNGC Annual Conference in Berlin was an incredible source of inspiration. I was especially impressed by valuable insights into the future of sustainable business management, with a strong emphasis on integrating ecological, social, and economic goals into business strategies. Companies leveraging innovations like AI, blockchain, and circular economy principles can boost resource efficiency while contributing to climate action. The conference particularly emphasized the responsibility throughout the entire supply chain, the importance of transparency, and ethical standards. Furthermore, it showed how innovative financing instruments, such as green bonds, can help realize sustainable projects. Overall, it became clear that sustainability is essential for companies’ long-term resilience and success, while also opening new business opportunities. The exchange with other SMEs was also valuable – it highlighted that we all face similar challenges and can learn from one another.
Where does robos-labels stand in regard to the five recommended areas of the “Forward Faster” program?
The “Forward Faster” program provides essential impulses in areas like climate protection, social responsibility, and ethical business practices. At robos-labels, we have already taken steps to reduce CO₂ emissions and source materials more sustainably. In areas such as labor rights and diversity, we also plan to take new steps. Overall, we believe we are on a good path, though there is still significant potential for us to improve in all five areas.
Why are these topics so important for us as a medium-sized company?
As a medium-sized company, we bear a unique responsibility – not only toward our employees but also toward the region where we operate. Sustainability is a competitive advantage and strengthens our position in the long run. Our customers and partners are also placing increasing value on sustainable processes and products. We want to be a frontrunner, showing that sustainable business practices make economic sense even for SMEs.
Which presentations and workshops were particularly relevant for robos-labels?
The interactive workshops provided us with many ideas. A highlight was the role-playing workshop on “Just Transition” in occupational safety. In this workshop, we explored various perspectives, gaining a better understanding of the importance of social responsibility in the transition to sustainable practices. It also showed us how we, as a company, can promote fair and safe working conditions while striving for greater sustainability.
Another fascinating workshop addressed the topic of the circular economy using the IOOI model. Here, we learned how circular economy works in practice and how to measure the impact of our sustainable actions. This approach has given us valuable insights for further developing our processes and products toward a circular economy.
What does “Sustainable Finance” mean?
Sustainable Finance is a financial strategy that integrates sustainability as a key factor in investment decisions. It involves directing capital to projects and companies that have a positive environmental and social impact. For us, this means choosing financing and partnerships that align with our values and support sustainable goals.
What sustainability aspects can robos-labels implement now?
We are already committed to eco-friendly production and sustainable sourcing of our materials. We reduce waste and use recycled materials wherever possible. We are also working to optimize energy consumption in our facilities and transition to renewable energy sources. These actions are the first steps toward establishing a sustainable value chain.
What is your next big sustainability goal at robos-labels?
Our next major sustainability goal at robos-labels is to systematically assess, evaluate, and optimize our CO₂ footprint. We will first conduct a comprehensive CO₂ assessment to measure emissions at every stage of the product lifecycle – from raw material sourcing to production, transportation, and disposal. Using life-cycle assessment (LCA) tools, we aim to identify hotspots in our value chain and pinpoint areas where CO₂ emissions can be reduced. We also intend to manage resources even more efficiently and further reduce our energy consumption.
Additionally, we are working to establish a fully sustainable supply chain by partnering with companies that also prioritize sustainability. We see this as a long-term process, where we aim to take small and large steps continuously.
Our goal is not only to reduce emissions within our production but also to actively collaborate with our partners and suppliers to make the entire value chain more climate-friendly.
Thank you for the interview. More information on Global Compact can be found here.
