The Sustainable Development Goals
in focus 

There are numerous examples that demonstrate how far DEKRA has gone to integrate the SDGs into its own measures and targets. Due to our role as an expert services company that provides on-site support for our partners and customers, business travel is a necessity. Furthermore, we have labs, test halls, and offices that require energy for their operation. All of this results in climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions. DEKRA has therefore set out to significantly reduce its CO2 emissions, thereby contributing to SDG 13 (“Climate action”). Measures being taken include minimizing the impact of our business travel on the environment and replace travel with virtual meetings whenever possible. It is also important to mention our increased use of digital collaboration tools and the optimization of our vehicle fleet with respect to alternative drives. 

In terms of energy usage, all of the electricity used in our buildings will come from renewable sources by 2025, in line with our commitment to the RE100 Initiative. In the European countries where DEKRA operates, the switch to renewable electricity was completed in 2021, which demonstrates our contribution to SDG 7 (“Affordable and clean energy”). We are implementing projects to increase our own production of renewable electricity, with a focus on photovoltaics, and looking to improve our energy efficiency, which is a high priority for DEKRA. We are also supporting our customers in various ways, for example by advising them on climate action and carbon accounting, or conducting technical inspections of renewable energy plants.

With our expert safety services, we are also contributing to SDG 3 (“Good health and well-being”), and it is in this respect that our vision to be “the global partner for a safe, secure and sustainable world” is clearest to see. After all, safety is a basic requirement for ensuring the sustainable development of society, the economy, and the environment. A concrete example of this is our commitment to safety in road traffic (SDG 3.6) – through conducting around 28 million vehicle inspections in 23 countries every year, through our innovative accident research, and through the international DEKRA Road Safety Report. The SDGs that are pertinent to DEKRA are discussed in greater detail in a separate chapter at the end of this magazine, where we also examine the risks resulting from our business operations in relation to the SDGs.