Sustainability

Sustainability Report 2022

The Zur Rose Group can point to significant progress in its second year of reporting. In addition to an improved governance structure, the measurement of the carbon footprint and a focus on diversity and inclusion, clear and ambitious sustainability targets were set for the first time.

The sustainability approach

For the Zur Rose Group, one thing is clear: sustainable entrepreneurship and profitable growth go hand in hand. Responsible business conduct, social responsibility, environmental protection and high ethical standards form the basis for business success.

Developing and implementing sustainability measures covers the entire Group and requires close cooperation across all of Zur Rose Group’s departments and sites. The sustainability approach is based on four strategic pillars: Healthier People, Sustainable Planet, Caring Company and Reliable Partnerships. In each of these pillars, Zur Rose has set itself key targets that are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Zur Rose is also committed to the United Nations Global Compact.

Clear progress and clear targets for the future

The first Sustainability Report set the framework and a strong foundation for the Zur Rose Group’s further efforts to drive forward the various aspects of sustainability. This year’s second Sustainability Report provides a transparent overview of the progress the Group has made since then. It also illustrates the ambition to anchor sustainability even more strongly throughout the company and to involve all stakeholders – including employees.

For the first time, Zur Rose has set itself firm sustainability targets: among other things, the aim is to reduce CO₂ emissions by 4.2 per cent annually and to work towards the long-term goal of climate neutrality. In the coming years, the intention is also to reach even more chronically ill people with the relevant services and further develop the platform for the digital healthcare ecosystem. In the long term, one thing is certain: the Zur Rose Group is committed to working towards achieving its vision so that everyone can manage their health in one click.

The sustainability targets are also linked to Executive Board remuneration. By doing this, the Zur Rose Group is underscoring its ambition in terms of sustainability and taking responsibility for all stakeholders – employees, customers, shareholders, healthcare partners and communities.

Improved governance structure strengthens relevance

In order to give the topic of sustainability even more weight as a key strategic pillar, Zur Rose further consolidated and expanded its governance structure in 2022. Among other things, the Group Head of Sustainability now reports to the full Executive Board. In addition, a new Sustainability Steering Committee is developing ideas and driving forward measures at the operational level.

Energy efficiency through optimisation

The ongoing operational consolidation of brands at the Heerlen site in the Netherlands is also creating sustainability potential. As part of the ongoing optimisation process, it was possible to track relevant metrics such as waste management and energy consumption. In addition, 5,000 solar panels were installed on the roof of the new logistics facility in Heerlen and efficient LED lighting was installed inside.

Raising awareness of diversity and inclusion

Zur Rose held the first Group-wide D&I Week in summer 2022, which consisted of various presentations, workshops and panel discussions. More than 300 participants from across the entire Zur Rose Group developed an awareness and understanding of how to drive forward the transformation towards an inclusive company.

Zur Rose also evaluated all positions Group-wide for the first time in 2022. Among other things, the analysis created a basis for evaluating gender representation at each management level as well as the gender pay gap. The pleasing result was that there is no gender pay gap, that is statistically significant, when looking at the entire Zur Rose Group. In future, the Zur Rose Group will therefore focus on ensuring this in each of its main regions (Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain).

Climate Action Month: >170 trees planted

September 2022 was all about Climate Action Month. By involving all employees, we succeeded in anchoring the topic of sustainability even more firmly within the Zur Rose Group. Using a digital solution, more than 85 ideas from more than 540 employees across the Group were collected to answer the initial question of how Zur Rose can become more sustainable. Many of the suggestions can be tested and implemented directly. Zur Rose also planted two trees for each idea submitted, through its partner, the Oro Verde Tropical Forest Foundation.

Selected highlights

Healthier People

Chronic Care Services launched: Thyroid and erectile dysfunction

>18

million interaction letters sent

Sustainable Planet

172

trees planted as part of Climate Action Month

5,000

solar cells installed at the Heerlen site

Caring Company

1.1%

gender pay gap for comparable positions

different nations represented among our employees

Reliable Partnerships

>150

industry partners – mostly manufacturers and suppliers – took part in the first DocMorris Partner Day

Supplier Code of Conduct developed in cooperation with industry partners

Sustainability Report

In addition to detailed insights into the sustainability approach of the Zur Rose Group, you will also receive a transparent overview of the progress made in the four pillars – Healthier People, Sustainable Planet, Caring Company and Reliable Partnerships – during the year under review.

Sustainability Report

Setting sustainability targets

For the first time in 2022, the Zur Rose Group set itself specific, measurable short-, mid- and long-term targets in each of its four strategic pillars: Healthier People, Sustainable Planet, Caring Company and Reliable Partnerships. These are not only closely interwoven with the strategy, but also linked to the compensation of the Executive Board.

Healthier People

2023

We commit to increase the number of pharmaceutical information letters.

We will increase the services for chronic disease patients.

Mid-term

We will further expand our chronic disease services and build out our digital health ecosystem platform.

As new services are launched, we will commit to specific goals.

Long-term

We commit to working towards achieving our vision of enabling everyone to manage their health in one click.

Sustainable Planet

2023

We commit to reduce CO₂ emissions at our sites by 4.2% per year (Scope 1 & 2).

Mid-term

We commit to reduce CO₂ emissions at our sites by 25% until 2030 (Scope 1 & 2).

Long-term

We commit to work towards net zero by 2050.

Caring Company

2023

We commit that >95% of Zur Rose Group’s management has been trained in our core cultural principles.

We will reduce the gender pay gap in all major regions (Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain) to below 5%.

Mid-term

We commit to train >90% of our extended management in our core cultural principles.

We will reduce the gender pay gap in all major regions (Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain) to below 3%.

Long-term

We will train all of our colleagues in our core cultural principles.

We will achieve equal pay for all genders in all major regions (Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain).

Reliable Partnerships

2023

Finalise and publish our Supplier Code of Conduct.

Mid-term

75% of our suppliers have agreed to the Supplier Code of Conduct until 2025.

Long-term

All of our suppliers have agreed to the Supplier Code of Conduct by 2030.