Climate change is a major challenge that our planet is facing, which is caused by the steady accumulation of man-made greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO₂), in the Earth's atmosphere. Climate protection and the economical use of energy, resources and materials are therefore important tasks of our time, and have been firmly anchored in both our corporate and sustainability strategies. Our focus is on reducing CO₂ emissions – for our customers and for ourselves.
When tracking emissions, we follow the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol for short), which is considered the most internationally recognized standard for tracking and accounting for greenhouse gas emissions. It categorizes emissions into Scope 1 emissions (direct emissions), Scope 2 emissions (indirect emissions from final energy purchases such as electricity and district heating), and Scope 3 emissions (other indirect emissions along the value chain).
Over the next few years, Festo will be massively reducing its carbon footprint. We have already made enormous progress in 2023 with regard to scopes 1, 2 and 3.8: Since 2024 – two years earlier than planned – the entire Festo Group has been CO2-compensated in Scope 1. Furthermore, we plan to reduce Scope 1 emissions by around 30 percent by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2040. In Scope 2 and 3.8, the Festo Group has already been carbon-neutral since 2024.
We are also continuing to invest in energy efficiency measures and the further expansion of photovoltaics (PV). We are also continuing to invest in energy efficiency measures and the further expansion of photovoltaics (PV). PV systems were added at 20 further locations in 2023. The total PV output at Festo has thus increased by over 60 per cent and now amounts to 13.8 megawatts peak.
Festo calculates its Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) across all three scopes of the GHG Protocol. Four categories – 3.10, 3.13, 3.14 and 3.15 – were identified as irrelevant for the carbon footprint of Festo. These categories were therefore not taken into account.
The results can be found in the table Greenhouse gas emissions 2023 (in t CO2eq). The calculation shows a clear result: 99 percent of emissions are caused within categories 3.1, 3.4 and 3.11. A detailed list can be found in our Sustainability Report.
Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions for 2023 are shown in the following two charts. The figures below show the total energy requirement related to sales and the sales-related emissions of Scope 1 and 2.
The selection of noncritical raw materials, the use of lightweight construction methods to limit the amount of material used, and production in ISO 14001-certified facilities contribute to resource conservation and a low carbon footprint.
Energy-saving products and solutions as well as training and services help our customers save resources and energy and can make an important contribution to mitigating climate change. The high quality and long life of our products reinforce this positive impact.
Selecting and using the “right” products is the key to high energy efficiency; examples can be found in our sustainability report as well as on our Sustainability in Automation page.
Compressed air generation, the supply network, and also the condition of the components that consume compressed air have a major impact on energy consumption. Companies that take advantage of our Festo Energy Saving Services have a skilled partner at their side. More information on this can also be found in our sustainability report.
Optimized for our customers, the results of the Festo Energy Saving Service can be used via New service portal .
Festo offers sets of wear parts and consumables or the ability to repair many of its products. This can extend the product’s service life.
Our metal-containing products are highly recyclable; in addition, we are working on meeting the increased requirements for a future circular economy.
On the path to our customers’ carbon-neutral factory, cross-company industrial solutions are needed that go far beyond our own product range. As a component supplier, Festo can have the greatest impact on climate change mitigation by reducing its Scope 3 emissions – specifically when customers use the products it sells. This requires specialists with the expertise to optimize the entire pneumatic system.
Festo Energy Saving Services – a customized range of services in accordance with DIN EN ISO 11011 (“Compressed Air Energy Efficiency Audit”) – are based on this holistic view. This serves to identify and best exploit compressed air savings potential at the customer’s premises, which also optimizes their entire energy management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001.
Our customers learn how to use a newly purchased product safely and professionally through a variety of instruction manuals and descriptions. Notes on possible misuse as well as information on maintenance, cleaning, care, and disposal help the user avoid expensive and climate-damaging costs. This also extends the service life of the products. Various tutorials clearly explain how users can, for example, replace spare parts kits on their own.
Material savings and resource conservation already play an important role in the early phases of product development. When selecting materials, our focus is on using as low-CO2 and non-hazardous materials as possible. In addition to protecting human health, it is necessary for the recycling of materials that they do not contain any impurities that prevent the production of high-quality secondary raw materials. Other topics in this field of action are our contribution to a circular economy and the responsible procurement of raw materials.
Festo’s purchasing structure is characterized by the procurement of semifinished products, components, and finished products. Alongside plastic, aluminum is one of our most important materials. Since the environmental impact of remelted secondary aluminum is significantly lower than that of primary aluminum, we aim to use as much secondary aluminum as possible.
The processes involved in product approvals are described in internal guidelines. Festo must comply with applicable law so that the products are considered safe. There are different regulations and laws on product safety around the world to allow products to be placed on the market. This requires the respective approvals in the different regions.
Our Application note (English language only) contains an overview of these issues and further information on material compliance topics that could affect Festo products.
We have introduced environmental management systems at all existing production sites and have had them certified in accordance with ISO 14001. As part of this process, we are working on how we can use materials and supplies more efficiently, reduce waste and be economical with our use of water. The latest reference data can be found in our Sustainability Report.
Our environmental compliance activities ensure that we establish safe processes. This allows us to identify errors as quickly as possible, correct them, and avoid them in the future. We continuously improve our environmental performance throughout the life cycle of our products.
Festo has never committed any serious violations of environmental law. Short-term instances not subject to sanctions during which wastewater or emission limits are exceeded may occur. Appropriate countermeasures are always taken. If we are required to report instances in which threshold values have been exceeded to the relevant authorities, we always do so.