"Sustainability reports are just a piece of paper - our products are the real climate protectors. Without mandatory reporting, our companies would have much more time and money to develop parts for environmentally friendly technologies," says the German Steel and Metal Processing Association (WSM). It expects the campaigners to take a clear turn towards the future.
Pragmatism instead of bureaucracy
The representatives of around 5,000 mostly medium-sized companies miss pragmatism and foresight in German industrial policy. According to the association, the turnaround towards the future can only succeed if future industrial policy cuts red tape, streamlines regulations and frees companies from the time and cost guzzler 'sustainability reporting'.
Companies lose time due to regulations
Companies in the WSM sectors have already achieved a lot in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "We are talking about family businesses that have an eye on the future even without regulations. They are very interested in averting ecological crises and also have ideas for doing so. However, sustainability reports slow down this willingness to innovate - they take up countless working hours," says WSM Managing Director Christian Vietmeyer.