We at VAUDE want to engage in business that is as sustainable as possible. We feel driven to show that it is possible to both take on responsibility and be economically successful. We also want to contribute and provide inspiration for aligning economic development with public service and strong values. Therefore, we’re passionate about drawing the public’s attention to these issues, we continue to join industry associations for sustainable solutions and we take a stance in politics.
Taking a critical look at ourselves, we are dealing with the question of what impact our aspiration to do business sustainably has on company growth. You can find our answer here
»Sustainability is something that I feel really passionate about. That is why I am also active on a political level.«
In our work, we often encounter factors along the way that hinder us from becoming 100 percent sustainable. By the same token, we also often experience things that help us. Based on this experience, we form our ideas about what political or social conditions need to be created so that sustainability can be more strongly established.
Within the company management and CSR Team, obstacles and opportunities as well as issues brought in from the outside are discussed and we develop a stance on these issues. We also consider where and how we are both able and driven to bring the issues to the public in order to achieve change. We firmly believe that only by working together can we achieve truly sustainable solution, which is why it is important for us to work persuasively where it counts the most.
2016 was a very moving year in terms of socio-political developments – from the political developments in the US, Brexit, the growing populist sentiments and voices in Europe, and the many crises and wars all over the world that are causing millions of people to become refugees.
We have been moved and touched by all of these issues, both personally and as a company. In the face of these developments, we are concerned with taking a stance based on our values in order to provide encouragement and to inspire constructive public conversation.
Here is our positioning on the issues that have moved us the most in 2016.
VAUDE CEO, Antje von Dewitz, often leads issue-based dialogues with politicians in which she clearly takes a stance based on her convictions; for example, with Federal President Joachim Gauck and Federal Minister Dr. Gerd Müller on the theme “Sustainability and Germany’s contribution to globally sustainable development.”
We have been a member of the Economy for the Common Good since 2013 and a member of the federal government’s Partnership for Sustainable Textiles since 2014. Both are initiatives that are aligned with social and economic policy to achieve a responsible management by means of changing law.
VAUDE is actively involved in industry organizations, for example, in the “European Outdoor Group” (EOG) and the “Federation of German sporting goods industry e.V.” (BSI), in order to influence legislation at both the European and national levels. These groups are involved in issues such as PFC-uptake in REACH, DIN standards on sleeping bags, customs regulations and quotas for textile imports from China.
VAUDE CEO Antje von Dewitz and other executives and employees express their political positions to the media.
Political groups and individuals, (in the past this has been political party members, ministers, municipal councils, Federal judges, Ministry of Economic Affairs employees ) frequently visit VAUDE to meet and share experiences and to seek input on regulatory conditions.
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In 2016, Cem Özdemir, Chairman of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen visited and intensively discussed the issue of responsible corporate management with Antje von Dewitz. |
| GRI: | G4-DMA Political Work |
