In a rapidly evolving industrial environment, where environmental responsibility is becoming a top priority, KARL HUGO has taken a major step forward by conducting a carbon footprint assessment.

Objective? To precisely measure the carbon footprint of its activities in order to better understand its impacts and define targeted and effective reduction actions. A proactive approach that reflects KARL HUGO’s commitment to combining industrial performance with environmental responsibility.

A response to new expectations

In light of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which requires companies to be more transparent about their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts, and growing customer demands for sustainability, KARL HUGO is taking concrete action. Aware of this shift, CEO Bernd Hugo has initiated several measures: ISO 14001 certification, the drafting of a sustainability report, and the company’s carbon footprint assessment. “The latter is essential both to meet our customers’ expectations and to guide our long-term environmental strategy,” says the CEO. “It gives us a clear vision and concrete levers for initiating a sustainable transition.”

Concrete data

To carry out this initiative, data collection was coordinated by Julien Pirnay, Management Engineering intern specializing in science and technology. “This crucial step involved analysing energy bills and evaluating raw material flows,” explains Julien. “As well as recording distances travelled and managing waste and packaging.” This first diagnosis now makes it possible to quantify CO₂ emissions in detail and identify the main sources. Based on the collected data, emissions were calculated in tons of CO₂ equivalent.

Understand, measure, act

“On this basis, a participatory workshop brought together KARL HUGO employees to focus on the issues of the carbon footprint,” explains Julien. The goal was to co-develop concrete solutions, drawing on field experience and data analysis. “These discussions generated pragmatic ideas by confronting data with operational reality. This laid the foundation for a sustainable approach.”

Coordinating environmental action

The next step: prioritizing the actions to be implemented, with input from technical managers, leadership, and teams. To ensure monitoring and implementation of the environmental strategy, a sustainability committee will soon be established. Its role will be to coordinate initiatives, measure progress, and embed KARL HUGO’s commitment over the long term.

By completing this first carbon footprint assessment, KARL HUGO is going beyond regulatory compliance. “Our company now has a strategic tool that supports both our environmental commitments and our competitiveness. It sends a strong message to our clients: that of a responsible, committed partner focused on a sustainable future,” concludes the CEO.