Sustainability at RUAG
Key Performance Indicators (KPI) 2024 At RUAG, our focus is on the security of Switzerland. But protecting the climate and the environment is also a major concern for us. As a technology partner to the Swiss Armed Forces, we consciously assume responsibility in the area of sustainability. We are committed to a comprehensive engagement - economically, ecologically and socially - and are consistently guided by our ambitious sustainability goals. We use the defined key performance indicators (KPIs) in this area to monitor the achievement of our targets.
Sustainability is a must criterion for everything new for us. This principle shapes our daily actions and is therefore a top priority. As a federally owned company, we adhere to the requirements of the federal government's climate targets and are part of the Federal Office of Energy's "Exemplary Energy and Climate" initiative.
We are therefore committed to achieving defined targets within a specific timeframe. These include optimizing energy efficiency, promoting green electricity production and increasing the proportion of renewable energy. For the year 2024, we have made sustainability measurable in our company and defined corresponding key performance indicators (KPIs). We use these KPIs to assess our sustainability strategy and measures and ensure targeted further development.
You can find all other relevant information on the topic of sustainability in our news section
FUNDAMENTALS
FRAMEWORK CONDITIONS
The owner's strategy stipulates that RUAG should conduct its activities in accordance with military-economic principles, with a focus on long-term performance, social responsibility and environmental sustainability. Particular attention is to be paid to identifying those areas of sustainable development in which the company can exert a significant influence. On this basis, RUAG defines specific goals that are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in order to actively contribute to the realization of the 2030 Agenda.
SUSTAINABILITY CONTRIBUTION IN OUR STRATEGY
Social change, with its defining megatrends such as neo-ecology, demographic developments, mobility and health, also has a direct influence on RUAG's corporate governance. As a responsible company, RUAG is proactively committed to sustainable and future-oriented business practices.
The focus of the sustainability contribution is in a first phase (until 2030):
The reduction of energy consumption and CO2 emissions;
the efficient use of resources, substitution, reuse or recycling;
the promotion of a corporate culture characterized by mutual respect, appreciation and open communication and
the regular review of progress in the various sustainability dimensions.
COMPANYING SUSTAINABILITY
RUAG pursues a holistic approach to sustainability that is based on three central roles: as a life cycle center, as an innovation and technology service provider and as a platform for a comprehensive safety ecosystem. These strategic roles are
designed to ensure the long-term performance and social benefit of the company.
The implementation of these roles takes place both within the current core business, which takes place in close cooperation with the Swiss Armed Forces, and within the framework of new business areas with a clear focus on services in the Swiss security network. This dual strategy allows RUAG to strengthen existing partnerships on the one hand and to develop new opportunities to meet the increasing demands in the area of national security on the other.
From these diverse fields of activity, RUAG makes a decisive contribution to Switzerland's security by developing innovative solutions that focus on sustainability, efficiency and reliability. At the same time, the company ensures that the services it provides not only meet current requirements, but are also viable in the long term and follow the principles of sustainable development. With this approach, RUAG underlines its responsibility as a sustainable service provider in the Swiss security network.
Contribution to Switzerland's sustainable security
As an innovation and technology partner of the Swiss Armed Forces, RUAG is closely linked to society and the environment. The company strives not only to fulfill legal requirements, but also to be perceived as a committed and responsible player in the market and in society.
As an integral part of Swiss security policy, RUAG makes a direct contribution to the well-being of people and the protection of the environment with its core business and the associated sustainable provision of services. By acting responsibly and providing forward-looking solutions, the company plays an important role in ensuring a positive long-term impact on society and the environment.
RUAG's contribution to sustainability is based on the needs of its stakeholder groups (see page 26 for a more detailed description of the stakeholder groups). These needs are transferred to the provision of services and corresponding sustainability intentions and goals are derived and implemented from them.
Environmental protection at RUAG
The primary goal is to protect the environment. This involves strict compliance with regulations and measures to protect the environment. The focus is on preventing or reducing to a minimum the immissions and emissions that can be caused by the operation of plants, buildings and infrastructure.
The handling of environmentally relevant substances is comprehensively monitored and registered at RUAG. Hazardous substances in production and site management are substituted where possible. The focus is on the environmentally friendly and sustainable use of resources and the reduction of CO2 emissions.
ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Environmental and energy issues are defined centrally by RUAG MRO Holding Ltd. Implementation is carried out by the environmental departments of RUAG Real Estate Ltd (primarily sites, locations and construction) and RUAG Ltd (primarily chemicals and hazardous substances in production). The two specialist units are supported by other specialist units at the subsidiaries.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
RUAG Real Estate Ltd and the Group's Ground business area operate their environmental management systems in accordance with ISO standard 14'001:2015. The maintenance and recertification audits were successfully passed.
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPI)
We measure our environmental footprint with the environmental performance indicators. The figures include our energy consumption, our emissions and our contribution to CO2 reduction.
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPI) SOCIAL INDICATORS
Social indicators are also important key figures for sustainable development. They include KPIs on employee, customer and supplier satisfaction, intercultural diversity and vocational training.
In addition to the aforementioned KPIs, we invest sustainably in a wide range of areas relating to our duties as an employer. We deliberately go the extra mile: modern employment conditions, a strong commitment to equal pay for women and men (LINK Fair-ON-Pay Advanced), comprehensive training opportunities and an intrapreneurship program to promote innovative business ideas.
HIGHLIGHTS
Conversion of infrastructure
Biodiversity
Vocational training week at Lenk
Maintaining hiking trails, cleaning streambeds and tending roadsides. These are just some of the social projects that the apprentices were involved in during their vocational training week in Lenk. In addition to the projects, the young professionals visited the RUAG site in Zweisimmen, toured a Rega base and took part in a workshop on mental health.
A special highlight was the last evening: together with the management and organization team, the apprentices looked back on the successful vocational training week at an aperitif on the Bühlberg. The day ended with a cosy dinner.
A big thank you to all the apprentices for their commitment, to the management team for their great support and to the organization team for their excellent cooperation.
Successful apprentices
Image campaign: RUAG shows face(s)
The campaign focused on dedicated RUAG employees who perform their varied tasks with conviction. People who otherwise work in the background represent what RUAG is all about. And that is far more than a traditional industrial company. Because their activities make a direct contribution to security in Switzerland.
A free day as a birthday present
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
GOVERNANCE
We work with our customers and partners for a secure future. Because we know that safety matters. This shapes our actions and our deeply rooted sense of responsibility. We maintain cooperative relationships with customers and business partners - based on trust, integrity and mutual respect.
Open communication, fairness and respect for people and the environment are at the forefront of our dealings with each other and with all stakeholder groups. This also includes compliance with all applicable internal and external rules and regulations. Our Code of Conduct is a binding basis and covers the following topics, among others:
- Data management and data protection
- Corporate ethics
- Legal compliance
- Risk management and integral security
- Transparent management cultures
- Corruption and anti-competitive behavior
You can find all detailed information on the topic of governance here.