Due to the legal uncertainties arising from the lack of implementation of the CSRD into German law at the time of reporting, the Executive Board of Continental AG, in coordination with the Supervisory Board, has decided to fully apply, for the first time, the ESRS resulting from the CSRD as a framework in accordance with Section 315c (3) in conjunction with Section 289d HGB for preparing the combined non-financial statement in accordance with Sections 315b and 315c in conjunction with Sections 289b to 289e HGB. The information for Continental AG pursuant to Sections 289b to 289e HGB is thus also fulfilled. For Continental AG as the parent company of the Continental Group, no separate framework in accordance with Section 289d HGB was used, as the approaches, results, targets, performance indicators and risks reported for the Continental Group also apply equally to the parent company. Therefore, no further information beyond that reported for the Continental Group is required. Accordingly, Continental does not consider the use of a framework for the parent company to be useful.
Continental points out general uncertainties with regard to interpretation issues in the use of the ESRS as a framework for non-financial statements.
The following information refers to the respective sections and subsections of the sustainability report and the management report in general, in which the information for the combined non-financial statement as required by HGB can be found.
A description of the Continental Group’s business models can be found in the General disclosures (ESRS 2) section of this sustainability report in the subsection Strategy, business model and value chain and in the Corporate profile section of the management report under Structure of the Continental Group.
Environmental matters
The approaches pursued by Continental with regard to environmental matters are described in the management approaches as follows:
- Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, Scope 3 emissions, portfolio resilience and transition, Climate change adaptation, Supply chain resilience and transition in the Climate change (ESRS E1) section,
- Environmental protection in own operations, Environmental protection in the supply chain, Product-related aspects regarding environmental protection and Substances of concern and very high concern in the Pollution (ESRS E2) section,
- Responsible purchasing and upstream value chain and Downstream value chain in the Biodiversity and ecosystems (ESRS E4) section, and
- Circularity and waste in own operations in the Resource use and circular economy (ESRS E5) section.
The results of the approaches pursued in relation to environmental matters are described as part of the impacts, risks and opportunities as well as the metrics in the sections on Climate change (ESRS E1), Pollution (ESRS E2), Biodiversity and ecosystems (ESRS E4) and Resource use and circular economy (ESRS E5).
Employee matters
The approaches pursued by Continental with regard to employee matters are described in the management approaches as follows:
- Labor standards, Adequate wages, Work-life balance, Training and skill development, Secure employment and social dialogue, Employee privacy and Occupational safety and health in the Own workforce (ESRS S1) section, and
- Workers in the value chain in the Workers in the value chain (ESRS S2) section.
The results of the approaches pursued in relation to employee matters are described as part of the impacts, risks and opportunities as well as the metrics in the sections Own workforce (ESRS S1) and Workers in the value chain (ESRS S2).
Social matters
The approaches pursued by Continental with regard to social matters are described in the management approaches as follows:
- Affected communities in the Affected communities (ESRS S3) section, and
- Technical and product compliance and Safe mobility in the Consumers and end-users (ESRS S4) section.
The results of the approaches pursued in relation to social matters are described as part of the impacts, risks and opportunities as well as the metrics in the sections Affected communities (ESRS S3) and Consumers and end-users (ESRS S4).
Respect for human rights
The approaches pursued by Continental with regard to respect for human rights are reflected in the management approaches as follows:
- Labor standards, Adequate wages, Work-life balance, Training and skill development, Secure employment and social dialogue, Employee privacy and Occupational safety and health in the Own workforce (ESRS S1) section,
- Workers in the value chain in the Workers in the value chain (ESRS S2) section and Affected communities in the Affected communities (ESRS S3) section, and
- Technical and product compliance and Safe mobility in the Consumers and end-users (ESRS S4) section.
The results of the approaches pursued with regard to respect for human rights are described as part of the impacts, risks and opportunities as well as metrics in the sections Own workforce (ESRS S1), Workers in the value chain (ESRS S2), Affected communities (ESRS S3) and Consumers and end-users (ESRS S4).
Anti-corruption and anti-bribery matters
The approach pursued by Continental with regard to anti-corruption and anti-bribery matters is described in the management approaches in the Business conduct and corporate governance (ESRS G1) section.
The results of the approach pursued with regard to anti-corruption and anti-bribery matters are described as part of the impacts and risks as well as metrics in the Business conduct and corporate governance (ESRS G1) section.
Material risks
For a description of non-financial risks and how they are managed, please refer to the Risks and Opportunities report in this management report. Beyond this scope, no additional non-financial risks were identified in accordance with Section 289c (3) HGB. The risks and opportunities described in the topic-related sections of the sustainability report are based on the application of the ESRS framework and the definition of double materiality anchored therein, and therefore explicitly go beyond the definition in the HGB.
Performance indicators
Non-financial and sustainability-related performance indicators in accordance with HGB are defined as part of the key performance criteria in the remuneration system in the Corporate profile section of the management report under Sustainability management. These do not constitute the most significant non-financial performance indicators within the meaning of Section 289c (3) HGB. The most significant key performance indicators for the Continental Group consist exclusively of financial indicators, and can be found in the Corporate management and Outlook for the Continental Group sections of this management report.
Correlations with the consolidated financial statement
Where necessary for an understanding of the context, reference is made in this sustainability report to the figures and additional explanations provided in the consolidated financial statements.
