Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility: Compatibility, Integration, and Fair Work

Sustainability is a crucial competitive and locational factor for businesses. The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) demonstrates how ecological responsibility, social standards, and economic performance can interact effectively. Whether it's climate protection and resource efficiency, responsible corporate governance, or fair working conditions: we bring the perspectives of the business community into political debates and highlight the reliable framework conditions that facilitate sustainable action.

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Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung
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Surveys and Figures Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

DIHK Environmental Barometer 2025: Businesses balancing environmental goals and competitive pressure

The scope of environmental policies for businesses has steadily expanded in recent years: A medium-sized company now has to comply with several hundred environmental regulations. What this means for companies is highlighted in the new DIHK Environmental Barometer.

Date of publication 09.12.2025
Rohstoffe Erzförderung
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In Focus Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

Resilient Supply of Raw Materials: Strategies for the Future

Geopolitical tensions and export restrictions from supplier countries threaten Germany's raw material supply. It is now essential to strengthen international raw material partnerships, promote domestic mining, expand circular economy efforts, and establish innovative financing models.

DIHK-Veranstaltung Gebäudesektor
© DIHK / Nils Hasenau
Press Release Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

DIHK Building Conference: "Diversity in the building sector requires flexible, open technology solutions"

The federal government must design the heating transition holistically and affordably.

Date of publication 28.05.2026
H2 Infrastruktur Symbolbild
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Position Paper Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

Climate Neutrality 2045: Ten Key Points

The decarbonisation of the economy requires, among other things, adequate infrastructure and an appropriate legal framework. In its position paper "Climate Neutrality 2045", the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) plenary assembly outlined in September 2023 the conditions that need...

Date of publication 29.09.2023
SDGs
© Yuuki Mizoguchi / Getty Images / iStockphoto
Position Paper Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

Towards Sustainability with Business

The United Nations (UN) sustainability goals concern business, society and the environment equally. Highlighting the goals that are most relevant to businesses, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) demonstrates in a position paper from March 2022 how companies and policymakers can...

Date of publication 26.09.2022
Press Release Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

DIHK Environmental Barometer: Companies demand less bureaucracy and reliable framework conditions

Environmental regulation weighs heavily on industry, construction, and trade

Date of publication 09.12.2025
EU-Wettbewerbskompass
© European Union 2025 / Dati Bendo
Position Paper Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

Shaping the Omnibus Regulation to be SME-friendly

The simplification package announced by the EU regarding due diligence and reporting obligations must bring concrete relief to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their daily operations, as called for by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mittelstand) in a...

Date of publication 13.02.2025
Press Release Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

Klimaschutz flexibler und internationaler ausrichten

The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry calls on policymakers in Berlin and Brussels to enable the economy to explore new ways of meeting global climate targets.

Date of publication 27.11.2025
Zwei Männer und eine Frau stehen vor Boxen mit sortiertem Elektroschrott
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Surveys and Figures Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

Many businesses see opportunities in the circular economy

A transformation of German economy towards a “circular economy” is viewed by many businesses as beneficial for their own operations – but only under the right framework conditions. This is evident from a survey conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK).

Date of publication 19.06.2024
blaue Kunststoff-Rezyklate in Händen
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Reaction Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

Circular Economy Strategy: Harness Opportunities Through Digitalisation

The ambitious goals of the National Circular Economy Strategy (NKWS) can only be achieved through joint efforts by politics and economy," commented Achim Dercks, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), on the key points presented on October 14...

Date of publication 14.10.2025
Stilisierter digitaler Produktpass auf einem Handy
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In Focus Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

The Digital Product Passport: Potential with Many Unknowns

For resource-scarce Germany, the transformation towards a resource-efficient and circular economy is of great importance. The Digital Product Passport (DPP), initially introduced in 2027 for batteries, can play a key role by providing critical information for the circular economy. However, this...

Press Release Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

DIHK: Federal Government undermines its own Circular Economy Strategy

On the opening day of IFAT, the world's largest trade fair for environmental technology, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) is urging the Federal Government to accelerate the expansion of the circular economy and not further delay the National Circular Economy Strategy (NKWS).

Date of publication 03.05.2026
Position Statement Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

DIHK on the Implementation of the CSRD: Improve the Draft and Relieve Companies

The German government is implementing the European guidelines for sustainability reporting (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, CSRD) into national law. The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) sees considerable need for improvement to avoid overloading companies.

Date of publication 21.07.2025
Gruppenbild der Energie-Scouts und Energy Scots von oben
© DIHK / Jens Schicke
Press Release Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

Young Professionals Advance Energy and Resource Efficiency in Companies

Rising prices for fossil fuels, volatile raw material markets, and the goal of climate neutrality: These are the challenges that the Energy Scouts and Energy Scouts from Germany and Europe address with specific measures in their daily operations. The top teams were honoured in Berlin on 12 June.

Date of publication 12.06.2026
Holzstapel an einer Weggabelung im Wald
© Katja Ziegler
Impulse Papers Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

The EU Regulation on Deforestation: What Companies Can Expect

Since the enactment of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) in 2023, there have been significant developments. Most recently, in July 2026, the EU Commission postponed the application of the EUDR and further clarified the scope of products and the informational system. An overview.