A waste hierarchy defines the different approaches to waste management and prioritizes them. The most important measures are those that are especially compatible with the environment. The EU Waste Framework Directive defines the following five hierarchical levels:
The non-governmental organization CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) supports companies and municipalities in reporting on environmental data. As part of an annual survey, the CDP collects data on CO2> emissions, climate risks, as well as reduction targets and strategies. The project has resulted in one of the world's largest databases for climate-related information.
The Circular Economy is an approach in which existing materials and products are used for as long as possible, repaired, reused or recycled to extend their life cycles. This minimizes waste and the need for primary raw materials. The Circular Economy is seen as an alternative contrasting with linear economies, in which materials and products are often used only once. Compared to traditional economic models, the Circular Economy focuses, right from the design stage, on the subsequent recovery of processed materials.
The nonprofit Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) supports organizations around the world in preparing sustainability reports and provides, among other things, guidelines for this purpose. These GRI standards cover relevant areas of corporate sustainability (ESG: Environment, Social, Governance).
Machine Learning (ML) is a subset of AI (Artificial Intelligence) methods and is based on mathematical processes that find complex patterns in datasets, for example.
The Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario (NZE Scenario) is an IEA (International Energy Agency) policy that traces a path for the global energy sector to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, with advanced economies to reach net-zero emissions before others. It agrees with limiting global warming to 1.5°C with a probability of 50%.
Transform to Net Zero is a corporate initiative launched by Microsoft in which the Mercedes-Benz Group also participates, along with eight other world-renowned companies. It aims to improve the climate policy framework for the decarbonization of the economy and society worldwide.
Generally speaking, Due Diligence procedures involve examining, analyzing and evaluating a company. Human Rights Due Diligence encompasses the measures a company employs to detect and counteract human rights-related risks in its business operations, supply chain, and the services it uses.
The International Energy Agency is a global cooperation platform in the area of energy technology research, development, market launches and usage.
The UN Global Compact is a United Nations initiative that provides a framework for a more social and eco-friendly form of globalization. Companies can realize and report on this vision through the right activities.
Additional information on sustainability at the Mercedes-Benz Group AG can be found here.
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