Technological solutions for ecological problems
Ecological globalization calls for the economical use of resources and the prevention of pollution on all continents. As we see it, anyone who thinks ecologically has to act technologically.

Bosch has always been an advocate of efficient energy conversion – converting diesel or gasoline into mechanical energy in cars, or oil and gas into heat for the home. We were quick to see how our automotive technology in particular could be used to help protect the environment and conserve resources. In the wake of the first oil crisis in 1973, we developed our 3-S program to make driving safer, cleaner, and more economical. This program has culminated in our current slogan “Invented for life.” But our activities to protect the environment and the climate do not stop at automobiles. Our expertise in the area of metering, governing, and control means that we can help save energy and reduce emissions not only in automotive technology, but also in industrial technology and in consumer goods and building technology.

• We have set up such a broad regional and sectoral base that we can provide technological answers to the challenge of climate change that go beyond Europe and the automobile.
• We have branched out into new fields in order to promote technologies for harnessing renewable energies.

Environmental management at our locations
In both product development and production, we are working on minimizing environmental impact and continuously improving environmental protection. For this purpose, we have introduced an environmental management system at all our 292 manufacturing sites around the world. It is based on the ISO 14001 international standard for environmental management. So far, 213 of these locations have been certified by an independent organization. By 2020, we aim to cut CO2 emissions by at least 20 percent from their 2007 level.

Climate change as an opportunity
It is certainly no disadvantage for us that all countries are now committed to developing tougher regulations for climate protection as a result of the change in public awareness. We welcome these developments. Ultimately, any step taken to protect the environment and conserve resources reduces the risk of uncontrollable changes, helps promote a system of sustainable management, and counters the public’s fears for the future. Indeed, in some countries political bodies consult us when they want to sound out the technical feasibility of standards. For example, we advised SEPA, the Chinese Environmental Protection Agency, on the introduction of emissions regulations for vehicles.

The increase in binding regulations is also leading to rapid growth in the worldwide market for environmental technologies. Supplying a suitable solution for each country presents us with a business opportunity. Customers and investors are calling for greater transparency when it comes to actions taken to protect the environment and measures to limit greenhouse-gas emissions. If, as predicted, environmental aspects play a major role in corporate strategy and company value in the next five years, Bosch stands to benefit from the megatrend of environmental protection.

We won several awards in 2006 and 2007 for our ongoing commitment to the environment.

Eco Manager of the Year
In November 2006, Franz Fehrenbach, chairman of the Bosch board of management, was named Eco Manager of the Year by the environmental foundation WWF and the German business magazine “Capital.” In fall 2007, he invited all previous winners of the title to Stuttgart to discuss the growing importance of sustainable economic activity. The CEOs of twenty-five small, medium-sized, and large German companies took up the invitation. “Ecomanager Day,” which was a Bosch initiative, is now to take place as an annual event.

Awards for environmental protection
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) presented Bosch with an award for its wastewater and rain water treatment and for raising the environmental awareness of its associates in India. In Slovenia, BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH received recognition as the country's most eco-friendly company. In recent years, the company has cut its water consumption by 50 percent, reduced its product-specific energy consumption by 21 percent, and lowered the amount of waste generated per product by 34 percent.

At the start of 2007, the Environment Committee of Wujin in China presented our subsidiary Bosch Rexroth with an award for its commitment to the environment. We have also received awards for our innovations: In Germany, our CO2 sensor was recognized by the ADAC automobile club in the category “Innovation and Environment.”  Bosch was also awarded a prize by the Brazilian Association of Automotive Engineering for its Denoxtronic system for exhaust gas treatment.