BSH reinforces environmental commitment to Middle East

The report, which was announced in Berlin presents new strategies, concepts and performance figures that focus on energy efficient and environmentally friendly household appliances.

With the report titled Environmental and Corporate Responsibility, BSH, which is one of the world's top three household appliance manufacturers, details sustainable development and climate protection through energy efficient household appliances as a corporate priority.

As one of the first companies to commit to Continuous Sustainability Reporting, BSH emphasises transparency and comparability in its commitment to environmental policies.

According to a recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the greenhouse effect on climate change in the Middle East will result in an increase in the region's temperature of up to two degrees Celsius by 2030.

And Heiko Fischer, BSH's CEO for the Middle East stressed that the environmental drive in Europe will be fully replicated in this region.

He said: "We have already made great advances in this field and are leading the way for domestic appliance manufacturers in the region. Our new range of dishwashers save up to 34 per cent more energy and uses 40 per cent less water compared to the previous range. The new washing machine range saves 35 per cent more energy and consumes 47 per cent less water. The new refrigerators use a massive 78 per cent less energy.

"Multiply this by hundreds of thousands of households across the Middle East and we believe we are really proving innovation can make a difference to the environment.

"If each household saves these levels of energy and reduces their water consumption levels, the reduction in each individual's carbon footprint can combine to significantly aid climate protection."

With sales in 2006 of over US$11 billion and a workforce totalling around 38,000, BSH Group is among the top three home appliance companies in the world measured by turnover and employees. Comprising more than 30 companies in over 100 countries, BSH has 45 factories worldwide, two of which are in the Middle East.

BSH's chairman of the board of management, Dr. Kurt-Ludwig Gutberlet, last year received a special award from the German Association of Environmental Management in recognition of BSH's consistent commitment to the environment and its role as a model of corporate responsibility. BSH was also last year awarded an environmental prize in Slovenia for being the most environmentally friendly company in the country and in Brazil for Community and Innovation related to the Environment.