Impulse for
managing sustainability

fors.earth analyses management concepts for the further development of sustainability

CLIENT MVV ENERGIE

Challenge

The development of a management system for sustainability is an urgent key component of MVV's "Further Development of Sustainability" project. Managing sustainability by means of non-financial performance indicators is a complex topic. In addition to the identification of key performance indicators for the sustainability strategy, the implementation of a suitable management system with corresponding data, processes and analyses represents a multidimensional challenge.

Solution

To give MVV an impulse from the outside-in perspective, fors.earth developed an analysis system for the structured recording and initial evaluation of management concepts for growth investments and corporate management according to sustainability criteria. Practical applications were presented, thus creating the basis for the more detailed development of a concept suitable for MVV.

Impact

From this analysis, fors.earth derived recommendations which are to be implemented at MVV as an integrated control concept for non-financial key figures that will provide structured data and processes for controlling and planning medium and long-term goals in the area of sustainability.

A management system to anchor sustainability even more strongly at MVV

The Mannheim-based energy supplier MVV Energie already sees sustainability as a "key pillar of [its] corporate strategy". Alongside other important ecological and social issues, MVV Energie has set itself the target of becoming climate-neutral by 2050 at the latest in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. To ensure that this conviction is also reflected in its future actions, MVV intends to anchor the topic of sustainability even more firmly in its corporate management and thus in its corporate strategy and culture. For this purpose, MVV is looking for a suitable management system for sustainability, which is a complex issue due to the use of non-financial indicators.

fors.earth therefore developed an analysis system for the structured compilation and initial evaluation of management concepts for growth investments and corporate management according to sustainability criteria. On the basis of initial suggestions by MVV, adaptability, challenges in implementation, as well as advantages and disadvantages of 12 different concepts were identified, among other criteria. The analyzed management concepts included Integrated Life Cycle Management, SEEbalance®, Product Sustainability Assessment and Internal Carbon Pricing. For each concept, practical applications, preferably in the energy sector, were presented as examples. The results obtained serve as a basis for a more detailed development of a management system suitable for MVV.

As a result of the analysis, fors.earth recommended three of the highlighted concepts and suggested possible processes and timelines for a rollout. Based on these results, MVV plans to develop and introduce an integrated management system for non-financial key figures. The aim is to implement a system that provides structured data and processes for the management and planning of medium and long-term goals related to sustainabilty.