Sustainability

Sustainability with an international perspective
As an international consulting and audit firm, we consider sustainability-related aspects across our global operations. To support this approach, we have defined priorities and measures in the areas of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). Together, they provide a framework for the continued development of our activities.
Dr. Felix Madeja
Managing Partner
Business Graduate, Tax Consultant, Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Kathrin Rosenberg
Partner
Attorney at Law (Germany), Group General Counsel
Patrick Neubauer LL.M.
Manager
Compliance Manager
Head of Governance, Risk, Compliance & Sustainability
Sarah Schmidt
M.A. Sustainability Economics & Management
Teamlead Sustainability

Responsibility in an international context

With locations in over 50 countries, we bring together different perspectives and experiences. This diversity is also reflected in our ESG activities. Selected international frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), provide guidance and help shape our approach.

International aid and environmental projects


Movement with impact

We regularly swap our office outfits for sports shoes! Whether through international challenges or local running events, our employees demonstrate team spirit, perseverance and a strong commitment to making a positive contribution. These activities support both employee wellbeing and charitable causes. Because with every sporting event, we donate to the Rödl Employee Fund for Children’s Aid.

School construction in India

Through our support of the Cause to Connect Foundation, we contribute to the construction of a school in a rural area near Pune, India. There, people without access to education receive practical training – from basic knowledge of English and local languages to craft skills.

STADTRADELN

Since 2020, we have been cycling for a good cause in the Germany-wide STADTRADELN campaign. Our teams get on their bikes and not only strengthen their fitness. Every kilometre contributes, as RÖDL converts this sporting commitment into support for the employee foundation.

Esportes para Vida

Together with Cacau, the Rödl Employee Fund for Children’s Aid supports the "Esportes para Vida" project in Brazil. It is directed at children and young people from the socially disadvantaged neighborhoods of Mogi das Cruzes and offers space for sporting and community activities.

Growing together

A visible outcome of local initiatives: our employees in Poland and India participated in a variety of activities, including initiatives through which more than 1,400 trees were planted.

Environment

Our business activities have an environmental impact. We therefore seek to promote the responsible use of resources through a range of measures and initiatives.

To better understand these impacts, we have been recording our greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol since 2019.The data collected serves as a basis for identifying opportunities to use resources more efficiently and deriving suitable measures.

Our measures

Renewable energies

At almost all of our German offices, we source electricity from renewable energy sources backed by Guarantees of Origin. The use of electricity from renewable energies is a component of our approach to integrating environmental aspects into operational decisions. In addition, we inform our employees about topics such as energy consumption and resource conservation and support awareness of these topics in their everyday work.

Mobility

Whether it’s commuting to work, a business trip or a company car, mobility is an integral part of our everyday business life. Our mobility approach is designed to accommodate different needs and modes of travel. Public transport, our company bike leasing programme and clear travel planning guidelines are all part of this approach.

Wherever possible, rail connections are taken into account for business trips. At the same time, we are expanding the charging infrastructure at our sites and electrifying our company fleet step by step. In this way, we are creating the conditions for a wide range of mobility solutions within our company.

Responsible use of resources

Digital applications support the collaboration of our teams across locations and countries. They facilitate the exchange of information and enable virtual meetings. And yet: The personal exchange with our clients remains indispensable for us.

The way we use digital tools also plays a role. For this reason, we encourage employees to adopt a mindful approach to energy and resource consumption in their day-to-day work. After all, many small decisions contribute to a more conscious and efficient use of resources.

This approach is also evident in the handling of our IT equipment. Smartphones, laptops and printers are not disposed of at the end of their useful life, but are returned via leasing contracts or passed on to partners. The aim is to extend the useful life of the devices and promote reuse.

Social

Successful collaboration depends on people being able to contribute their strengths, take responsibility and continue developing professionally. We therefore focus on topics that shape our interaction within the company – from health and training to diversity and equal opportunities. By supporting selected projects and initiatives, we foster social engagement and help ensure that societal considerations extend beyond our immediate business environment.

Development opportunities

New responsibilities, evolving requirements and individual aspirations continuously create opportunities for learning and development. We see continuous learning as an integral part of everyday work. Our offering includes technical training, leadership and communication programs, as well as digital learning and support resources, for example on mental health and conflict management.

These offerings are complemented by talent and career programs for different target groups. They provide opportunities to build competencies, strengthen networks across functions and shape individual development paths within the company.

Work-Life-Balance

Achieving a good balance between professional and personal commitments can support individual well-being and create greater flexibility in everyday life. To support this, we offer flexible working time models and the opportunity to work remotely from selected European countries for a limited period.

We also offer a range of family-friendly support services. These include an on-site childcare center and holiday childcare at our Nuremberg office, as well as partnerships with childcare providers at many of our other locations.

Health & Wellbeing

To support the physical and mental well-being of our employees, we offer a range of services and resources. These include sports activities, ergonomic workplace arrangements, digital support platforms, and an internal confidential contact point for personal or professional matters.

These offerings are complemented by training initiatives such as Mental Health First Aid. These initiatives provide insights into mental health and psychological challenges that can arise in everyday working life and promote awareness of a considerate approach to such topics.

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity is reflected in the experiences, perspectives and ideas people bring to their work. Together, these perspectives enrich collaboration, strengthen dialogue and broaden the exchange of ideas. Equal opportunities, mutual respect, and protection against discrimination therefore form important foundations of our working environment.

As a member of the Diversity Charter, we regularly engage with topics related to diversity and inclusion. Initiatives such as the international RÖDL Diversity Week provide opportunities to highlight different perspectives, share experiences, and gain new insights.

Through our Diversity Network, employees can contribute topics, exchange experiences, and actively participate in discussions on diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities.

Social commitment

Through the Rödl Employee Fund for Children’s Aid, we support children and young people facing challenging circumstances. Beyond this, our teams participate in a range of social projects and initiatives related to education, culture, and sports at both national and international levels.

Governance

Effective cooperation requires a reliable framework. Whether in decision-making, day-to-day collaboration or everyday interactions, clear processes, transparency and integrity are firmly embedded in the way we work.

Global Code of Conduct

Our Global Code of Conduct defines basic standards and principles of conduct that guide our actions worldwide.

Responsibility for human rights and the environment

Responsible business conduct encompasses a variety of aspects. Among them are human rights and environmental matters, which we take into account in the course of our business activities. Our main principles in this regard are summarized in the Declaration of Principles on Human Rights and Environmental Protection.

Reporting channels

Stakeholders can report information relating to human rights or environmental matters through our designated reporting channels. An anonymous channel is also available for this purpose. All incoming reports are reviewed confidentially and processed in accordance with the applicable processes.

Compliance and reporting offices

For us, sustainability is not a destination but a perspective. It encourages us to consider opportunities and challenges in a broader context and to take a long-term view.

Dr. Felix Madeja, Managing Partner