‘We aim to contribute to the sustainable development of society as a whole’: Bechtle chief sustainability manager on green ambitions
Nicole Diehlmann talks SBTi approval and Bechtle 2050 net zero target
With the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) confirming Bechtle’s emissions reduction targets meet its criteria, the VAR’s goal is now to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.
In accordance with the Paris agreement, which intends to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, Bechtle pledges to cut its absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions 54.4 per cent by 2030, using 2019 as the starting point.
The organisation plans to reduce its scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services - as well as the use of sold products – by 55 per cent for every €1,000 (£855.5) of value it creates by 2030.
Bechtle has also signed the SBTi’s net-zero commitment letter, pledging to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across Scope 1 and 2, as well as on an intensity basis for Scope 3 by 2050 at the latest.
To better understand the firm’s sustainability goals, CRN interviewed Dr Nicole Diehlmann, its chief sustainability manager.
Diehlmann explains that the company has strategically been engaged with sustainability since 2011.
Concrete reduction targets were first defined in the VAR’s climate protection strategy, which was published in 2022.
It intends to reduce Scope 1 emissions by gradually extending its fleet with all-electric vehicles by 2030.
“As early as 2014, we began gradually electrifying our company car fleet.
“Today, over 50 per cent of our vehicles are hybrid or fully electric.
“Parallel to growing our fleet of electric vehicles, it is important to expand the available charging infrastructure on a large scale and enable employees to power their vehicles near their place of work.
“The number of charging points for electric and hybrid cars at Bechtle sites has gone up considerably, and as of December 2024, there were 794 bays in operation, 166 of which are located at group headquarters in Neckarsulm.”
The VAR’s list of initiatives also covers sustainable building practices and climate-friendly energy sources (Scope 2), including the purchase of green electricity and the use of its own solar and geothermal power, she adds.
“Scope 3 emissions are produced along upstream and downstream value chains, purchased goods and services being the main culprits.”
While its sustainability strategy is binding in all 14 European countries in which it is located, each territory has flexibility.
They all have the capability to adapt the strategy according to their size, number of employees, legal requirements, or regional circumstances.
In the UK, the team has its own sustainability team and regional objectives.
“We are continuously working to improve our data quality,” she explains.
“While we are already professionally positioned in this area, we still see room for improvement.
“Through transparent and ethical conduct, we aim to contribute not only to the sustainable development of our company but also to that of society as a whole.”
In addition to working on its greenhouse gas emission, the organisation partakes in the circular economy with its dedicated department within Bechtle Logistik & Service, Bechtle Circular IT.
The department takes back used hardware, carries out data erasure, checks functionality, and redistributes the hardware; components that are no longer usable are properly recycled or disposed of.
The reseller has also been navigating through the recent uncertain macroeconomic conditions, holding the course of its green strategy.
“Our strategy remains firmly in place, as demonstrated not only by the validation of our near-term climate targets, but also by our commitment to net-zero.
“In January of this year, we published our diversity strategy.
“We continue to stand by this commitment and are actively implementing corresponding measures.”
Last year, the company earned the Ecovadis gold medal for the first time after five years of obtaining silver, rewarding its sustainability efforts.