sustainability-respect-for-the-planet

Respect for the planet

We contribute to creating a sustainable, vibrant and responsible society for generations to come. But we can only do it if we leave as small an environmental footprint as possible and reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).

In 2021 we joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), who approved our targets in 2023, and since then we have taken important steps.

We take a proactive approach to lowering our footprint and any negative impact on the environment. As a Group in constant growth, decoupling our emissions and environmental impact from that growth is key to meeting our targets. To that end, we work on the environmental optimisation of our operations and our products, and we strive to achieve ambitious goals for emissions reductions.

* The results and targets are measured against our 2019 baseline

  • icon_-renewable-energy
    Renewable electricity

    2024 performance
    35% renewable energy

    2030 target
    50% renewable electricity

    2050 target
    100% renewable electricity

     

  • icon_emissions
    Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions

    2024 performance
    8% reduction in scope 1 and 2

    31% increase in scope 3

    2030 targets
    46% reduction in scope 1 and 2

    46% reduction in scope 3

    2050 target
    Net-zero emissions

  • climate-targets-icon
    We have launched a transition plan detailing the different mitigation actions set by the Group to reach our climate targets
  • electric-fleet-round
    We have launched a plan for fleet electrification to speed up the replacement of combustion engine vehicles with electrical vehicles
  • scope-3-baseline-icon
    We have improved our scope 3 accounting methodology and restated our baseline and historical emissions
  • plast-reduction-ha-filters-round
    We have reduced plastic consumption of the containers of the hearing aids’ filters by 53%. See more product circularity initiatives

SBTi, a solid commitment behind an acronym

The basis and early steps
Our commitment to reduce our impact on the environment comes from our firm belief that to truly care for people’s health and well-being, we must care for the environment. Therefore, we have set ambitious goals and taken concrete actions.

Aware of our impact, we have tracked emissions, from our own operations, such as emissions from electricity consumption or our company fleet since 2009. As a growing company, we face the challenge of decoupling our emissions from our growth. This means that we must optimise our operations and products to reduce our footprint while we grow our business.

SBTi enters the scene
In 2021 we took an important step to join the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), an initiative that encourages companies to set science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This commitment aligns our goals with the latest climate science, helping us contribute to the effort to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Fast forward to 2023, our targets were officially approved by SBTi.

The Group commits to reducing absolute scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions by 46% by 2030 and scope 3 GHG emissions by 46% by 2030, in both cases from a 2019 baseline.

This approval was a significant milestone, marking our progress and providing a clear path forward. This has since materialised in different plans and concrete lines of action.

our-road-to-net-zero-sus-rap-2023

Where we are heading
Currently 94% of the company’s emissions come from the extended value chain. This insight underscores the importance of engaging with our partners and suppliers in our journey towards net-zero emissions.

Our business areas Hearing Aids and Diagnostics steer this effort, and in 2024 Hearing Aids launched their Supplier Engagement Programme, with the initial objective of working together with their direct suppliers to deliver on Demant’s climate targets. Our Diagnostics business area has also worked with supplier engagement and has obtained concrete results in lowering emissions from transport – in 2024 the business areas reached a 16% emissions reduction from transportation.

These are examples of how we are advancing on the journey to deliver on our climate targets. Every initiative in our transition plan is an important step towards our ultimate goal: net-zero emissions by 2050.


Closing the circle

We are committed to advancing the principles of circular economy. Our actions span from resource efficiency and the use of secondary raw materials to value retention and responsible end-of-life management.

Below, we highlight some of the initiatives we have undertaken to advance our progress in product circularity in our hearing aids and diagnostic devices. These efforts require forward-thinking, creative solutions and proactive collaboration between Demant and our suppliers.

Testing, Sharing, Caring
We have developed a special test hearing aid that can be used by multiple individuals over a trial period. After each trial, it is returned to us, thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the next user.

Re-thinking packaging
Is it possible to reduce the carbon footprint of each charger packaging of our hearing aids’ unit by 80%? Yes, it is. We have launched a new plastic-free charger packaging across our four hearing aid brands worldwide. Our Diagnostic business area has incorporated recycled materials into its packaging, using recycled polyethylene plastic in the plastic bags and carboard containing up to 98% of recycled materials.

More innovation, less plastic
Each of our hearing aids comes with a small plastic container for storing replaceable filters that keep earwax out of the device. These filters need to be changed often, so we’ve redesigned the container to use less plastic. By improving the moulding process and redesigning the container, we’ve cut plastic use by 53% per unit.

Prolonging lifespan
We perform numerous repairs to ensure our users’ hearing aids stay in great condition and extend their lifespan. Maintenance and repair services are available for all hearing aid models and brands for up to five years after they are discontinued. For our diagnostic devices, we offer maintenance services to our customers to ensure that normal wear and tear does not affect their usability or quality. We also provide worldwide repair service if required.

Onboarding new materials
We have introduced a new material for the inlets inside our hearing aids, eliminating the use PFAS in this component. This change makes our inlets easier to recycle. We continuously work towards eliminating these chemicals without compromising the quality and safety of our devices. Additionally, we have been using recycled plastic in our diagnostics devices since 2014 in collaboration with our largest supplier. This material comes from waste generated during our supplier’s internal plastic production.