Pina Earth x SÜDVERS: Case Study
Regional expertise with global impact. Pina Earth and SÜDVERS have this idea in common. With Pina Earth's climate protection projects, SÜDVERS supports forest conversion projects that are geared towards regional ecosystems. In this way, SÜDVERS makes an effective contribution to global climate protection.
Sustainable management and keeping an eye on future generations - this is what characterizes SÜDVERS as a second-generation family business, also for its customers. SÜDVERS is an international insurance broker, risk manager and financial services provider with a focus on medium-sized, family-run companies from various industries. With 19 locations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, it is important for SÜDVERS to be close to its customers. At the same time, SÜDVERS is networked worldwide in order to provide international key accounts with expert advice on all issues.
SÜDVERS also pursues a mobility strategy with SÜDVERS FLEET and supports companies in maintaining a reliable and cost-efficient vehicle fleet.
"As a family business, we don't think in terms of quarterly figures, but in terms of generations. That's why our top priority is to plan for the long term so that the next generations can also benefit. We offer the security and reliability of a German medium-sized company and at the same time drive transformation forward. In doing so, we want to consistently generate added value for our customers and create an attractive working environment for our employees. A contribution to ESG / climate change, sustainable management and social responsibility are the cornerstones of this strategy, alongside the pursuit of long-term, profitable growth." - Ralf Bender, Managing Director of SÜDVERS
The concept of sustainability can be found in several areas at SÜDVERS. In addition to its own aspiration to leave the family business stable for the next generation, this also applies when dealing with customers. For example, SÜDVERS also takes sustainability risks into account in financial investment products and advises customers on the advantages and disadvantages of individual products with regard to climate protection. In its own strategy, SÜDVERS pursues the goal of living sustainability in the three areas of environment, social affairs and corporate governance, not least in order to be an attractive employer for employees.
"We do not see ESG/CSRD as another compliance requirement from "above", but rather see this topic as a key differentiating factor for the future:
1) Environment: We will continuously reduce ourcarbon footprint. Initially, the focus will be on reducing emissions by optimizing air conditioning and using more energy-efficient technical building equipment in our offices. The increased use of e-mobility is also under review. In addition, we would like to reduce the remaining emissions with offsetting projects such as the Pina Earth initiative.
2) Social: SÜDVERS supports charitable associations throughout Germany and regularly donates to international and accredited aid organizations. We are committed to equal treatment, diversity and cultural diversity. We offer our employees flexible home office options as well as a variety of sports groups, training courses and individual internal events.
3) Governance: SÜDVERS will implement comprehensive governance and compliance guidelines in 2024. This is about audit security, transparency and, above all, conformity with regulatory and legal requirements. For employees, it is about knowing their own area of responsibility and using it in the interests of SÜDVERS on their own responsibility and, if necessary, in coordination with other colleagues. This is currently about giving SÜDVERS the tools for efficient and fair company management in which everyone can take responsibility for their tasks."
- Ralf Bender, Managing Director of SÜDVERS
In order to set an example for its customers, SÜDVERS has set itself the long-term goal of gradually reducing the emissions of its buildings and vehicle fleet. However, implementing these measures will take time. Time, which is in short supply in the fight against climate change. For this reason, SÜDVERS is already endeavoring to take responsibility for remaining emissions.
After the initial calculation of itscarbon footprint, SÜDVERS looks for effective climate protection projects in order to make a contribution to climate protection. In addition, the contribution to climate protection projects should also have a positive impact on SÜDVERS' EcoVadis ESG rating. The EcoVadis ESG rating evaluates companies based on their environmental, social and governance practices. To this end, individual corporate practices relating to labor and human rights, ethics, sustainable procurement and the environment are evaluated. The rating can be improved through individual measures, such as investing in certified climate protection projects.
"It was essential for us to absolutely rule out greenwashing. We were therefore looking for a reliable partner whose projects bind CO2 in the long term. It was also important for us to be able to understand the calculation methodology. Another criterion was a connection to Germany or a direct local contribution. In Pina Earth, we are lucky to have found an ideal partner that fulfills all of these criteria." - Marcus Gartenleitner, Risk Manager & Controller at SÜDVERS
In Pina Earth, SÜDVERS has found a partner that follows the same principle: regionally committed and globally active. With Pina Earth's regional climate protection projects, SÜDVERS makes an effective contribution to climate protection in German forests in order to convert them into climate-resistant mixed forests. In this way, a local contribution is in harmony with global climate protection.
All climate protection projects developed by Pina Earth are validated by TÜV Nord and can be positively counted towards the EcoVadis rating.
The long-term, multi-year partnership between Pina Earth and SÜDVERS provides forest owners with a stable source of income to finance climate protection measures. For SÜDVERS, this means secure long-term access to regional climate protection in line with its own values.
"In Pina Earth, we have a partner that is a perfect fit for us. A modern, meaningful, German company that operationally implements one of the most important problems of our time with a win-win solution approach for everyone involved. We see three benefits from the partnership:
1. customer loyalty
2. New possibilities in addressing customers
3. increase in the employer attractiveness in the "war of talents"
- Marcus Gartenleitner, Risk Manager & Controller at SÜDVERS
Dr. Christine Rzepka has been Marketing & Communications Lead at Pina Earth since 2023. In her articles, she shares recommendations and practical insights on credible sustainability communication and provides insights into Pina Earth's technology-based approach to regional climate protection. Before joining Pina Earth, she worked in other start-ups in the FinTech and EdTech space, in technology consulting and in academia as part of her PhD in Information Systems.
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