Our three strategic key topics

The results of our materiality analysis have shown that there is still a lot to do in the area of “Environmental” and at the same time we have a lot of potential and opportunities. We are therefore focusing on environmental topics as a first step. The three strategic key topics are complemented by measures in the areas of social and governance topics.

Key topic 1: Climate change and carbon emissions

Careful management of our environment and climate is one of the three strategic key topics for Beyond Gravity in the coming years. We are focusing primarily (but not exclusively) on reducing carbon dioxide. We consume very few fossil fuels and already obtain most of our energy from renewable energy sources. Nevertheless, as a manufacturing company with 1,600 employees, we have a significant carbon footprint, which we want to further reduce in the years to come. The following levers will make a significant contribution to reducing our CO2 emissions across the company:

Optimising energy efficiency and sourcing: Optimisation measures in the area of energy consumption will enable us to further reduce energy consumption and thus both directly and indirectly reduce our CO2 emissions. These can be, for example, measures to improve the building shell, the use of LED lights or the recalibration of heating and cooling systems. However, the day-to-day efficient use of energy by our employees also makes a significant contribution to reducing overall energy requirements.

Renewable energy: The aim is to gradually be able to cover our energy needs exclusively through renewable energy. This will enable us to reduce the use of fossil fuels and, consequently, CO2 emissions.

Supply chain: By far the largest carbon footprint is indirectly caused by our supply chain. The aim is therefore to better monitor and evaluate our suppliers and to work with them on common goals for reducing CO2.

Switching to public transport, cutting down on business trips, making the workplace more flexible: We want to motivate our employees and create incentives to use public transport to get to work, to reduce unnecessary business trips, to favour rail travel over air travel wherever possible, and to enable working from home wherever it makes sense.

Net Zero: Even though the path to climate neutrality will be challenging, we want to outline the way there in vthe coming year.

Key topic 2: Energy efficiency and sourcing

By otimising energy consumption, we can contribute to alleviating the current energy shortage, reduce CO2 emissions and at the same time lower our energy costs. The most important drivers in this regard are the following:

Employee behavior: Practical behavior by employees in production, when closing and opening doors and windows, using tools or electric lights, can make a significant contribution to reducing energy consumption overall. Beyond Gravity will use corporate communications and on-site training to raise awareness among employees.

Technical optimisation: Building shells, lights, door opening mechanisms, system operating times or the recalibration of air-conditioning and heating systems can make a significant contribution to reducing our energy needs.

Space optimisation: The reduction in office space through shared offices also helps to cut heating and
energy costs in our premises.

Renewable energy: The aim is to gradually be able to cover our energy needs exclusively through renewable energy. This will enable us to reduce the use of fossil fuels and, consequently, CO2 emissions.

Step by step towards modern, sustainable offices

We are currently renovating our offices in Gothenburg, Linköping and Vienna,
and in Zurich we are renting additional space in the Circle at the airport
from summer 2023. The result will be attractive open-space offices with flexible
workstations that promote cross-functional learning, collaboration and
engagement.

The modern offices will help us to reduce heating and energy costs in our
premises. In some locations, such as Linköping, there are solar panels on the
entire roof of the production area.

Key topic 3: Responsible sourcing

It is important for us to work with suppliers who share our sustainability goals. In addition to climate protection measures, we also ensure compliance with all laws and regulations affecting us within the supply chain – for example with regard to human rights, corporate integrity, and health and safety. A software-based monitoring and evaluation solution and a business code of conduct serve as tools for greater transparency.

Supplier commitment: A commitment to our business code of conduct and defined goals from our suppliers form the basis and understanding of ESG materiality issues.

Supplier Monitoring & Assessment: A software based solution for monitoring and assessing ESG performance data from our suppliers as well as selective additional transparency within our supply chain vis-à-vis our management.

Supplier Development: Accompanying and supporting suppliers in the application of measures plays an important role in the implementation of our ESG ambitions within our supply chain. Supplier development in ESG disciplines will also be taken into account as a competitive advantage in the selection of suppliers.

… and beyond!

The three strategic focal points focus primarily on the “Environmental” area. Of course, as a global company, other social and governance issues are also important to us. The three strategic key topics are therefore complemented by the following measures:

On the pulse of customers and markets In future, we will measure the satisfaction of our customers on an annual basis, thus creating an important basis for a sustainable customer relationship and the early identification of any weaknesses.

Consistent compliance with human rights We attach particular importance to integral compliance with human rights. In this respect, we expect our suppliers to respect the fundamental rights of people at all times in their business activities.

Diversity is our strength Diversity contributes to a tolerant and open corporate culture and is central to ensuring that different perspectives are incorporated into decision-making processes. Increasing diversity in the company and, as a first step, specifically the proportion of women in management positions, is one of our stated goals.

Zero tolerance of discrimination Beyond Gravity clearly positions itself against any kind of discrimination. It is therefore important to be aware of forms of discrimination and to examine and implement possible counter-measures.

Conscious use of consumables Consumables account for a significant share of waste and disposal management. We can reduce our footprint by increasingly using recycled materials, reusable product solutions or climate-neutral products.

Less waste – more recycling Pre-impregnated carbon fibre waste will in future be sent to a specialist supplier so that it can be reused as recycled waste. Salvage of payload fairings: Due to the expected significant increase in rocket launches, we want to give our customers the technical possibility in future to track down and dispose of payload fairings that have fallen into the sea.

Opportunities, but also risks in view Our current enterprise risk management system will be expanded in the future to include all major ESG topics and, in the spirit of double materiality, will also take into account risks beyond Beyond Gravity.

Sustainability also counts in remuneration In addition to financial and personal targets, an ESG target will in future be included in the bonus awards of the company’s executives and managers. In this way, we are improving management’s incentives in favour of sustainability.

We create financial transparency In future, we will supplement our year-end reporting with extended information on the governance structure with regard to possible conflicts of interest as well as tax-relevant financial key figures.

Strong, together with our ESG network ESG managers in all countries and divisions form part of an internal ESG network so that ESG implementation is better coordinated internationally and country-specific differences can be taken into account in decision-making.