Scope 1 Emissions
2022 Communication on Progress
Symrise AG
Published date
July 28, 2022
No. of questions
66
Supplemental files
210528_Symrise_Trafficking_Policy.pdfSymrise_Environmental_Policy.pdf180110_SYM_Nagoya_Protocol_and_Access_and_Benefit_Sharing.pdfSymrise_Health_and_Safety_Policy.pdf220321_Human-Rights-Policy.pdf220426_Responsible_Sourcing_Policy.pdfSYMRISE_LandUse_Policy.pdfSYM_gri_2021_EN.pdfSYM_gri_2021_EN.pdfSymrise_Health_and_Safety_Policy.pdf220426_Responsible_Sourcing_Policy.pdf220321_Human-Rights-Policy.pdfSymrise_Forest_Policy.pdfSymrise_Water_Policy.pdfSYMRISE_LandUse_Policy.pdfSYM_Code-of-Conduct-web-EN.pdf220414_Anti-Bribery_Anti-Corruption_Policy_EN.pdfCEO Statement
Signed
Governance
Policies and Responsibilities
1. Does the Board / highest governance body or most senior executive of the company:
Optional commentFor more information, see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 102-14, GRI 102-15, GRI 102-20, GRI 102-32.2. Does the company have a publicly stated commitment regarding the following sustainability topics?
Optional commentAdditionally to uploaded documents: Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html), see GRI 102-11 for commitment to improve sustainability performance in supply chain through CDP suppliers program, see GRI 205 for commitment to anti-corruption.3. Does the company have in place a code of conduct regarding each of the following sustainability topics?
Optional commentSymrise has a Code of Conduct that applies mainly to employees but also suppliers are expected to comply. Additionally, Symrise published a Responsible Sourcing Policy incl. the Supplier Code of Conduct in 2022 (See: https://www.symrise.com/sustainability/reports-policies-standards-audits/#our-sustainability-policies). For more information, see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 102-16.4. Has the company appointed an individual or group responsible for each of the following sustainability topics?
Optional commentAll of the mentioned aspects are overseen by the Symrise Sustainability Board, the Chief Sustainability Officer and the CEO. For more information, see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 102-19, GRI 102-20, GRI 102-31.5. Does the company have a formal structure(s) (such as a cross-functional committee) to address each of the following sustainability topics?
Optional commentAll of the mentioned aspects are overseen by the crossfunctional and global Symrise Sustainability Board and the Chief Sustainability Officer. For more information, see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 102-19, GRI 102-20, GRI 102-31.Prevention
6. Does the company have a process or processes to assess risk?
Optional commentCurrently, we assess social, environmental and governance risks of our own productions sites and our strategic tier 1 suppliers via SEDEX or EcoVadis and are developing a risk assessment approach that will cover all of our own sites and tier 1 suppliers in future. For more information, see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 412, GRI 308, GRI 205.6.1. During the assessment of risk, which business relationships are reviewed?
Optional commentCurrently, we assess social, environmental and governance risks of our strategic tier 1 suppliers via SEDEX or EcoVadis and are developing a risk assessment approach that will cover all of our own sites and tier 1 suppliers in future. For more information, see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 412, GRI 308, GRI 205.7. Does the company have a due diligence process through which it identifies, prevents, mitigates, and accounts for actual and potential negative impacts on sustainability topics?
Optional commentFor more information, see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 412.7.1. During the due diligence process, which business relationships are reviewed?
Concerns and grievance mechanisms
8. Are there any processes through which members of the company’s workforce can raise concerns about the company’s conduct related to human rights, labour rights, environment, or anti-corruption?
Optional commentAs described in our Code of Conduct, various points of contact are available for our employees on ethical and lawful conduct and integrity concerns. Employees can turn to their superiors in the first instance. If an employee cannot talk to a superior about their concern, for example, because this person is also affected, the employee can discuss the issue with an HR officer, the works council or the next highest superior. Our employees can also contact the responsible Compliance Officer at their site anonymously and confidentially. The Integrity Hotline set up by the Group Compliance Office ensures that Symrise employees can anonymously report violations of both legal regulations and internal company guidelines from anywhere in the world. The Group Compliance Office can be reached by all employees via a dedicated toll-free telephone number. An intermediary service operator ensures that employees can retain anonymity and communicate in their native language. For more information see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 102-17.8.1. Please provide additional detail regarding the process(es) the company has through which members of the company’s workforce can raise concerns about the company’s conduct.
Optional commentFor more information see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 102-17. Since the publication of our Sustainability Record, the complaints mechanism for external stakeholders has been concretized, see our Human Rights Policy (https://www.symrise.com/sustainability/reports-policies-standards-audits/#introduction).9. Does the company provide or enable access to effective remedy to right holders / stakeholders where it has caused or contributed to the adverse impact?
Optional commentFor more information, please see our Human Rights Policy and our Responsible Sourcing Policy (https://www.symrise.com/sustainability/reports-policies-standards-audits/#our-sustainability-policies).Lessons
10. How does the company capture lessons regarding each of the following sustainability topics?
Optional commentSMEATA audits request systematic investigations of learnings and regular monitoring of corrective and preventive actions.Executive Pay
11. Is executive pay linked to performance on one or more of the following sustainability topics?
Optional commentFor more information see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 102-35: Topics from the area of the sustainability agenda that are important for the long-term and sustainable development of Symrise are used as non-financial targets. These can be topics from the area of environmental and climate protection (greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water consumption, electricity from renewable energies), occupational safety or employee development and promotion (see also 2021 Remuneration Report p. 6). So far, Human Rights and Anti-Corruption have not been specifically mentioned regarding executive pay. However, as executive pay is linked to topics from the sustainability agenda, they might be considered in the future.Board Composition
12. Percentage of individuals within the company’s Board / highest governance body by:
Optional commentThe data refers both to the Symrise Executive Board (5 members) and to the Symrise Supervisory Board (12 members). All 5 members of the Executive Board are executive, all 12 members of the Supervisory Board are non-executive. 6 of the 12 Supervisory Board members are independent. For more information see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 102-22, GRI 405.13. Do you produce sustainability reporting according to:
Optional commentSymrise reports according to the CSR-RUG (implementation of the EU Non-Financial Reporting Directive into German law), as the CSRD has not entered into force yet.Data Assurance
14. Is the information disclosed in this questionnaire assured by a third-party?
Human Rights
Materiality / Saliency
1. Which of the following has the company identified as material human rights issues connected with its operations and/or value chain, whether based on their salience (i.e., the most severe potential negative impacts on people) or another basis?
Optional commentIn 2021, we conducted a high level risk analysis for our own production sites and strategic suppliers via SEDEX. The goal was to better understand the social and environmental risk profile of our own operations and our suppliers. According to this risk analysis, the top 5 risks across our own sites were Water Scarcity, Freedom of Association, Waste and Pollution, Working Hours and Health, Safety and Hygiene. The top 5 risks of our suppliers were Water Scarcity, Working Hours, Freedom of Association, Waste and Water Pollution and Forced Labour. However, this doesn't mean that we consider other human rights risks as less material.Response
8. Briefly describe practical actions the company has taken during the reporting period and/or plans to take to implement the human rights principles, including any challenges faced and actions taken towards prevention and/or remediation.
Symrise will be affected by the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act starting in 2023 and formed the Responsible Sourcing Steering Committee (RSSC) in the reporting year to implement its own due diligence. The RSSC is a decision-making body consisting of global purchasing managers, representatives of the Corporate Sustainability department and sustainability experts from the divisions. It defines the processes for supplier assessments and implementation of the resulting measures to ensure that assessment criteria are completely embedded in the business processes. Operational implementation takes place in the purchasing areas, as does monitoring of the defined measures with the suppliers. The RSSC is building on a solid foundation: We have been working for several years to ensure that suppliers comply with our sustainability standards through systematic supplier management and compliance with our responsible sourcing policy. The RSSC is tasked with establishing a coherent and sustainable Responsible Sourcing Management that meets the expectations and requirements of our stakeholders and makes the supply chains of Symrise robust. Three RSSC working groups are developing specific measures with timelines and KPIs for this purpose, incorporating the EcoVadis, AIM Progress and SEDEX recommendations – thus defining a roadmap for 2021 to 2023. The RSSC’s strategic objectives include the introduction of a responsible sourcing policy, which includes a Code of Conduct for suppliers, and a due diligence process – the first strategic objective was achieved after the reporting period, in April 2022. A key area of responsibility is also integrating sustainability aspects into the qualification, evaluation and further development of suppliers. We also require our suppliers and business partners to uphold basic human rights. Before a new supplier is accepted as a business partner, it must pledge in writing that it will maintain and comply with the provisions of the Symrise Code of Conduct. The international supplier screening platforms Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX) and EcoVadis are valuable tools: They allow us to more easily assess suppliers and disclose our own data to customers. For this reason, since 2012, we have requested that our most important suppliers register with SEDEX and disclose their data there. In 2020, we additionally started to include suppliers on the EcoVadis platform. In this way, we leverage the benefits of both platforms to identify risks and opportunities for our suppliers. Alternatively, agricultural production suppliers can also indicate their FSA rating; we expect at least the FSA standard in silver. The FSA seal (Farm Sustainability Assessment) stands for sustainably produced raw materials and is awarded by the non-profit organization SAI (Sustainable Agriculture Initiative). Furthermore, since 2014, many suppliers of natural substances – which are strategically important for Symrise – have been evaluated through the Union for Ethical Biotrade (UEBT). This ensures ethical procurement of the products sourced. We carry out audits for suppliers that pose an especially notable risk (as defined by SEDEX and EcoVadis), that have crucial raw materials or that have had problems flagged in the assessment. Suppliers from whom we require certification by specific audit companies such as UEBT, SAI or FSC are also visited on site if high risks are present. Suppliers with medium and low risks are subject to regular assessment by SEDEX and/or EcoVadis or by audit companies such as UEBT, SAI and FSC. Between 120 and 150 (2020: 142) supplier audits were performed by trained and experienced internal supplier audit teams – the exact number was not available at the time of the editorial deadline. Additionally, we request at least 50 suppliers annually to carry out SEDEX/SMETA audits by verified, independent audit agencies. We also receive around 100 SMETA unsolicited audit reports from our suppliers from SEDEX. We can track the implementation of identified corrective actions from the audits through to verification in the SEDEX database.Labour
Commitment
1. Does the company have a policy commitment in relation to the following labour rights principles?
Optional comment1.1. For each labour rights policy, is it:
Optional commentSee: Symrise Human Rights Policy, Symrise Health and Safety Policy & Responsible Sourcing Policy (https://www.symrise.com/sustainability/reports-policies-standards-audits/#our-sustainability-policies).Prevention
2. In the course of the reporting period, has the company engaged with affected stakeholders or their legitimate representatives in relation to the following labour rights issues?
Optional commentThe selected criteria are elements of the SMETA Audits.3. What type of action has the company taken in the reporting period with the aim of preventing/mitigating the risks/impacts associated with this labour rights issue?
Optional commentFor more information on our activities regarding the topics see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 403 (regarding Occupational safety and health); GRI 405 and GRI 406 (regarding Non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation).4. Who receives training for the following labour rights issues?
Optional commentFor more information, see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 403 (regarding Occupational safety and health), GRI 205-2 (regarding Non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation).5. How does the company assess progress in preventing/mitigating the risks/impacts associated with the following labour rights issues?
Performance
6. What is the percentage of employees covered under collective bargaining agreements?
Optional commentA clear commitment to freedom of association and the right to membership in a labor union are an important matter for us. For this reason, our local sites establish the legally required collective employee representation. In addition, we apply the respective local wage agreements at all sites where this is standard practice, both from a legal and HR-policy standpoint. Globally, 60 % of our workforce is covered by collective bargaining agreements, and about 85 % of the workforce in Germany is covered by our active and retrospective collective bargaining agreements. Our non-collective bargaining employees excluding executives and senior management (around 12 % of our German workforce) are treated in the same way as our collective bargaining employees when it comes to wage increases.7. What is the percentage of employees in a trade union or other workers' organization?
8. In the course of the reporting period, what was the percentage of women in:
Optional commentThe share of women in upper management at Symrise worldwide is 34.0 %. Definition of upper management: all employees worldwide who are employed in the first three management levels, including the Executive Board. For the Executive Board only, the share of women is 0 %. The share of women in the Supervisory Board (non-executive board) is 33.3 %. For more information, see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 405.9. What was the average ratio of the basic salary and remuneration of women to men (comparing jobs of equal value) during the reporting period?
Optional commentGender-independent remuneration is a matter of course at Symrise. The amount of remuneration is determined exclusively by the employee’s qualification and value contribution to the company. Symrise pays its employees on the basis of collective wage agreements concluded with the respective labor unions. Each initial classification or later reclassification is subject to review by the works council. Through this double-checking, we make sure that gender plays no role in determining remuneration. Every year, we conduct analyses at all our major sites to prevent gender-specific disadvantages in remuneration. In addition, to review gender equality in the area of remuneration, an in-depth equal pay analysis was carried out in Germany in 2021. The unadjusted gender pay gap is 1.2 %. Comparable job groups were formed and pay differences were analyzed against the backdrop of whether there is possible discrimination in this area. For this purpose, aspects such as length of service, age, schooling and vocational training and instruction were considered, along with the requirements level and professional position. The non-profit FPI Fair Pay Innovation Lab recognized Symrise for its fair pay in the reporting year. Differences in pay that are reflected in the absolute level of pay result from the type of activity, such as shift work with corresponding shift remuneration, but are not determined by gender. For example, at Symrise in Germany, currently only four women work in rotating shift operations with regular evening shifts and corresponding shift remuneration. Otherwise, only men work in these areas and therefore receive higher remuneration as a result of shift bonuses as the wage agreement base pay. In addition, one must always take into account the high percentage of women in part-time work, which gives rise to the impression that women earn less overall.10. In the course of the reporting period, how frequently were workers injured (injuries per hour worked)?
Optional commentWe developed the Symsafe project in 2021 with our subsidiary TESIUM to improve occupational health and safety performance. The focus is on a sustainable safety culture. This includes empowering every employee to recognize sources of danger and to act on their own initiative. The intention is to raise the safety awareness of all employees, including contractors, reduce the number of workplace accidents and lower the accident rate MAQ (workplace accidents [> 1 lost day] x 1 million/working hours). The MAQ was 3.8 in 2021. For more information see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 403-9.11. In the course of the reporting period, what was the company’s incident rate?
Optional commentOur accident severity rate (USQ: Sick days x 1,000,000/working hours) was 51 in 2021.Response and Reporting
12. In the course of the reporting period, has the company been involved in providing or enabling remedy where it has caused or contributed to the adverse impact associated with the following labour rights issues?
13. Briefly describe practical actions the company has taken during the reporting period and/or plans to take to implement the labour rights principles, including any challenges faced and actions taken towards prevention and/or remediation.
Symrise will be affected by the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act starting in 2023 and formed the Responsible Sourcing Steering Committee (RSSC) in the reporting year to implement its own due diligence. The RSSC is a decision-making body consisting of global purchasing managers, representatives of the Corporate Sustainability department and sustainability experts from the divisions. It defines the processes for supplier assessments and implementation of the resulting measures to ensure that assessment criteria are completely embedded in the business processes. Operational implementation takes place in the purchasing areas, as does monitoring of the defined measures with the suppliers. The RSSC is building on a solid foundation: We have been working for several years to ensure that suppliers comply with our sustainability standards through systematic supplier management and compliance with our responsible sourcing policy. The RSSC is tasked with establishing a coherent and sustainable Responsible Sourcing Management that meets the expectations and requirements of our stakeholders and makes the supply chains of Symrise robust. Three RSSC working groups are developing specific measures with timelines and KPIs for this purpose, incorporating the EcoVadis, AIM Progress and SEDEX recommendations – thus defining a roadmap for 2021 to 2023. The RSSC’s strategic objectives include the introduction of a responsible sourcing policy, which includes a Code of Conduct for suppliers, and a due diligence process. A key area of responsibility is also integrating sustainability aspects into the qualification, evaluation and further development of suppliers. We also require our suppliers and business partners to uphold basic human rights. Before a new supplier is accepted as a business partner, it must pledge in writing that it will maintain and comply with the provisions of the Symrise Code of Conduct. The international supplier screening platforms Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX) and EcoVadis are valuable tools: They allow us to more easily assess suppliers and disclose our own data to customers. For this reason, since 2012, we have requested that our most important suppliers register with SEDEX and disclose their data there. In 2020, we additionally started to include suppliers on the EcoVadis platform. In this way, we leverage the benefits of both platforms to identify risks and opportunities for our suppliers. Alternatively, agricultural production suppliers can also indicate their FSA rating; we expect at least the FSA standard in silver. The FSA seal (Farm Sustainability Assessment) stands for sustainably produced raw materials and is awarded by the non-profit organization SAI (Sustainable Agriculture Initiative). Furthermore, since 2014, many suppliers of natural substances – which are strategically important for Symrise – have been evaluated through the Union for Ethical Biotrade (UEBT). This ensures ethical procurement of the products sourced. We carry out audits for suppliers that pose an especially notable risk (as defined by SEDEX and EcoVadis), that have crucial raw materials or that have had problems flagged in the assessment. Suppliers from whom we require certification by specific audit companies such as UEBT, SAI or FSC are also visited on site if high risks are present. Suppliers with medium and low risks are subject to regular assessment by SEDEX and/or EcoVadis or by audit companies such as UEBT, SAI and FSC. Between 120 and 150 (2020: 142) supplier audits were performed by trained and experienced internal supplier audit teams – the exact number was not available at the time of the editorial deadline. Additionally, we request at least 50 suppliers annually to carry out SEDEX/SMETA audits by verified, independent audit agencies. We also receive around 100 SMETA unsolicited audit reports from our suppliers from SEDEX. We can track the implementation of identified corrective actions from the audits through to verification in the SEDEX database.Environment
Commitment
1. Does the company have a formal policy on the following environmental topics?
Optional commentClimate Action, Air Pollution, Waste and Energy & Resource Use are included in the Environmental Policy. The Environmental Policy, Forest Policy, Water Policy, Land Policy are all available under: https://www.symrise.com/sustainability/reports-policies-standards-audits/#our-sustainability-policies.1.1. For each environmental policy, is it:
Prevention
2. In the course of the reporting period, has the company engaged with affected stakeholders or their legitimate representatives in relation to the following environmental issues?
3. What type of action has the company taken in the reporting period with the aim of preventing/mitigating the risks/impacts associated with these environmental topics?
Optional commentFor more information see Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/downloads/SYM_gri_2021_EN.pdf): GRI 302, GRI 303, GRI 304, GRI 305, GRI 306.4. How does the company assess progress in preventing/mitigating the risks/impacts associated with the following environmental topics?
4.1. For each environmental topic in which the company sets timebound goals / targets, what kind of targets has the company set?
4.2. For each environmental topic in which the company sets timebound goals / targets, how is progress against target / goal tracked?
5. In the course of the reporting period, has the company been involved in providing or enabling remedy for any actual impacts associated with the following environmental issue(s)?
Climate Action
6. What were the company’s gross global greenhouse gas emissions for the reporting period?
Scope 2 Emissions
Scope 3 Emissions
7. What percentage of the company's revenue was invested in R&D of low-carbon products/services during this reporting period?
Optional commentCalculation basis: R&D investments for low-carbon products / services originate from the year 2020, see CDP Report 2021 (https://www.symrise.com/fileadmin/symrise/Corporate/Sustainability/Our_performance/CDP_Climate_Change_Questionnaire_2021.pdf).8. Has the organization acted to support climate change adaptation and resilience?
Optional commentFor a few years, we have been working on backward integration for strategic raw materials, considering environmental and social aspects. Apart from that, we report on climate-related risks and opportunities in our Sustainability Record and in our CDP Questionnaire. See our Sustainability Record (https://www.symrise.com/sustainability/reports-policies-standards-audits/index.php?eID=tx_securedownloads&p=681&u=0&g=0&t=1650010967&hash=5497715c0b8cbd457d0833d41c92a2bc207a5049&file=/fileadmin/symrise/Downloads_reports/sustainability/GRI_Balances/EN/SYM_Sustainability_Record_2021.pdf): GRI 308, TCFD-Index. See our CDP Questionnaire (https://www.symrise.com/fileadmin/symrise/Corporate/Sustainability/Our_performance/CDP_Climate_Change_Questionnaire_2021.pdf).Energy / Resource Use
9. Please report the company's renewable energy consumption as a percentage of total energy consumption in the reporting period.
Optional commentIn 2021, Symrise's overall energy consumption was at 7,205 TJ. The consumption of external electricity amounted to 1,144 TJ (15.8 %). All external electricity was sourced from renewable sources. For more information, see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/downloads/SYM_gri_2021_EN.pdf): GRI 302.Technology
10. What percent of the company's revenue came from environmentally friendly products / services during this reporting period?
Sector-specific Questions
11. Which sector(s) does the company operate in? If diversified, choose top 3 by revenue.
Sector-specific: Water
12. Please provide details regarding the company's water withdrawal and consumption (own operations) during the reporting period.
Water withdrawal (volume of water in megaliters):
Water consumption (volume of water in megaliters):
Optional commentWater withdrawal: Symrise differentiates between groundwater (2,736 megaliters), surface water (835 megaliters), municipal water (2,810 megaliters) and other (143 megaliters). The percentage entered under "Percentage of water consumed in regions with high or extremely high water stress (%)" considers water that is withdrawn/consumed in areas with "water stress" and not only "high or extremely high water stress". So far, Symrise has not reported on water consumption as the difference between water withdrawal and water discharge. However, reporting on this topic is to be expanded in the future.13. Please provide details about the company’s water intensity of products in regions with high or extremely high water stress.
Sector-specific: Forest, biodiversity, and land use
14. Please report the number and area (in hectares) of sites owned, leased, or managed by the company in or adjacent to protected areas and/or key biodiversity areas (KBA).
15. What area (in hectares) of natural ecosystems was converted during the reporting period in areas owned, leased, or managed by the company?
16. Is the company supporting or implementing project(s) focused on ecosystem restoration and protection?
Optional commentSee Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 304.Sector-specific: Air pollution
17. Where applicable, please report the company's emissions of the following pollutants during the reporting period.
Optional commentOther: methane (CH4): 48 t. Sulfure oxide is emitted only in limited, immaterial quantities from the production of our products; Additional information: VOC emissions are less than 500 t per year, the exact amount is not available.Sector-specific: Waste
18. Please report the company's total weight of waste generated in metric tonnes during the reporting period.
19. Please report the percentage of the company's waste that was hazardous waste (i.e., hazardous waste ratio) during the reporting period.
20. Please report the company's estimated metric tonnes of single-use plastic consumed wherever material along the value chain during the reporting period.
Optional commentOur goal was to phase out the use of single-use plastics at all sites before mid-2021. We have achieved this goal.Overall Environment
21. Briefly describe practical actions the company has taken during the reporting period and/or plans to take to implement the environment principles, including any challenges faced and actions taken towards prevention and/or remediation.
Emissions: In 2021, Symrise developed a Science Based Target aimed at a maximum global warming of 1.5°C, which meets the highest level of ambition currently possible. The target was approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative in February 2022. Symrise aims to reduce GHG emissions (Scope 1+2) by 80 % by 2028 compared to 2020. Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services are to be reduced by 30 % by 2030 compared to 2020. We achieve our climate goals through various measures: Since 2020, for example, we have demonstrably sourced our global external electricity requirements from renewable sources. Furthermore, we continue to review power purchase agreements (PPAs) and thus promote the energy transition. We continuously increase energy and process efficiency at all production sites and also support high-quality certified climate protection project all over the world. We started the CDP Supply Chain Program in 2017 to work with our suppliers on a more sustainable value chain. Our suppliers with the highest risk status on climate, water and forests were again requested to follow the CDP Supply Chain Program in 2021. Strategic suppliers, in particular, are eligible for the program. As significantly more suppliers were defined as strategic in the reporting year, almost twice as many suppliers were invited to participate in the CDP supply chain program compared with the previous year. Energy: Through various energy and process efficiency measures, we saved almost 60,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in the reporting year: These include our cogeneration plant at the Holzminden site, which reduces our emissions from energy generation by around 20,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents annually. By expanding our production capacities for synthetic menthol, we avoid emitting around 35,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents. The reason for the high savings is the carbon footprint of the synthetic variant, which is approximately ten times smaller than of natural menthol. Ongoing measures by our local Total Productive Maintenance teams are continuously also replacing energy-intensive consumer equipment such as motors, ventilation or heating systems, compressed air systems and boilers for the production of steam and cooling with more efficient alternatives. In the reporting year, we also converted all used packaging materials used by Symrise in Germany to carbon-neutral: The carbon footprint of packaging material amounting to 12,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents was offset via REDD+ projects in Brazil and Madagascar. We initiated another four projects resulting in a savings of approximately 2,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in 2021. Symrise is currently evaluating eight projects aiming at avoiding a total of 50,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents within two years. CSB: Since 2010, we have been aiming to continuously reduce the chemical oxygen demand (CSB) in our wastewater. By 2025, we want to increase in the efficiency of the chemical oxygen demand in wastewater by 4 % annually or by a total of 60 % compared to the base year 2010. In the year under review we were able to achieve an efficiency increase by 34.8 %. Waste: Symrise joined the 10x20x30 initiative in 2021. Ten of the largest food manufacturers and supplies are members, which have each partnered with 20 of their key suppliers to reduce food losses in the supply chain by 2030. All participating companies aim to cut food losses and waste in half in their operations by 2030. They also measure and publish their food losses and waste inventories and take steps to reduce waste. There is great potential for reducing food waste, especially in the Taste, Nutrition & Health segment. Therefore, the former Nutrition segment has defined two fields of action within its waste reduction strategy. First, in line with the goals of Symrise, the segment is committed to continuously reducing its waste production globally by 4 % annually by 2025 in relation to value added. Second, initiatives for processing byproducts are to be reviewed by the special innovation team in the Taste, Nutrition & Health segment, the Business Incubation Group (BIG). BIG includes what is known as platforms that address various topics and perform projects. One of these is the Side Streams Upcycling Platform. In addition, the Taste, Nutrition & Health segment set food waste reduction goals in the reporting year based on the World Resources Institute (WRI) guidelines and in line with SDG 12.3. The goal is to reduce food waste by 50 % by 2030 compared to the 2016 baseline. To date, the Naturals business unit (formerly Diana Food) has used its organic waste to make animal feed, cosmetics, compost and biogas. Currently, the business unit and the Side Streams Upcycling Platform are working to further optimize the environmental, social and economic value of the byproducts generated. One result, among others, is that the byproducts generated at our French meat plant have been reduced by 30 % in three years in terms of value added. Currently, another program is focused on cranberry acid sugar, which is produced in our Canadian plant. Health-promoting active ingredients are extracted from the sugar, which are to be used for personal care in the future. The project aims to achieve a 20 % waste reduction in cranberry products from byproducts in terms of value added.Anti-corruption
Commitment
1. Does the company have an anti-corruption compliance programme?
Optional commentFor more information see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 205; and our Code of Conduct (https://www.symrise.com/sustainability/reports-policies-standards-audits/#our-sustainability-policies).2. Does your company have policies and recommendations for employees on how to act in case of doubt and/or in situations that may represent a conflict of interest, e.g. with regard to gifts and hospitality, donations, sponsorship, or interactions with public officials?
Optional commentPolicies and recommendations regarding anti-corruption are included in our Code of Conduct and our Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption Policy (https://www.symrise.com/sustainability/reports-policies-standards-audits/#our-sustainability-policies).Prevention
3. Who receives training on anti-corruption and integrity?
Optional commentAll new employees receive training on the Symrise Code of Conduct which contains guidelines on anti-corruption and integrity. Apart from that, select employees from Purchasing, Finance, Sales and Management and all other employees who have a connection to data protection, company information or fraud and business integrity are trained on specific aspects related to anti-corruption and integrity. For more information, see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 102-16, GRI 205.3.1. How often is such training provided?
Optional commentAll new employees receive training on the Symrise Code of Conduct which contains guidelines on anti-corruption and integrity. Apart from that, select employees from Purchasing, Finance, Sales and Management and all other employees who have a connection to data protection, company information or fraud and business integrity are trained on specific aspects related to anti-corruption and integrity. For more information, see sustainability record: GRI 102-16, GRI 205 (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html)4. Does the company monitor its anti-corruption compliance programme?
Optional commentPlease see our Sustainability Record (https://symrise.com/corporatereport/2021/en/sustainability-responsibility/sustainability-record.html): GRI 205-1.Response and Reporting
5. Please report the company's total number and nature of incidents of corruption during the reporting year.
6. Within the reporting period, what measures has the company taken to address suspected incidents of corruption independently or in response to a dispute or investigation by a government regulator?
7. Does your company engage in Collective Action against corruption?
8. Briefly describe practical actions the company has taken during the reporting period and/or plans to take to implement the anti-corruption principle, including any challenges faced and actions taken towards prevention and/or remediation.
In 2021, we introduced four training courses addressing "Data Protection: Defending Against Phishing Attacks", "Protecting Company Information on Social Media: Surprise!", "Fraud and Business Integrity" and "Global Data Protection".