What sustainable development means to us
The United Nations' 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the associated 169 sub-goals is a comprehensive programmatic framework for the realisation of a globally sustainable society - it is the global community's future contract for the 21st century.
As a water supply and wastewater disposal company, Ruhrverband makes a significant regional contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which the international community wants to achieve by 2030 in order to ensure sustainable development. In addition to SDG 06 ("Clean Water & Sanitation"), nine other SDGs have been identified that influence the Ruhrverband's business activities or which in turn influence its business activities.
Health and well-being in the workplace / for the region
- Supply of good raw water for drinking water production
- Offer local recreational areas (reservoirs, dams, forest)
- Employee satisfaction and motivation
High-quality education
- Training / promoting young talent - RV as a regional employer
- Environmental education for the region
Gender equality
- Compatibility of family and career
- Promotion of women
- Diversity and equality
Clean water & sanitary facilities
- Efficient wastewater treatment and stormwater treatment
- Further wastewater treatment through reduction of trace substances
- Advice for commercial members on efficient water utilisation / water reuse
Affordable and clean energy
- Expanding environmentally friendly in-house energy generation
- Participation in the local market with renewable energies
- Climate-friendly mobility
Sustainable cities & communities
- Promote consultation on the sponge city concept and the "climate-resilient city" product
Sustainable consumption & production
- Affordable water and wastewater for citizens
- Social, ecological and regional criteria in procurement and awarding contracts
Climate protection measures
- Flood management (small rivers, prepare canal networks for heavy rainfall)
- Increasing the climate resilience of the dam system (heavy rainfall and drought prevention)
- Optimising the operation of wastewater treatment plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Climate neutrality as a corporate goal
Life under water
- Watercourse restoration for the protection and development of aquatic ecosystems
- Promotion of biodiversity in water
- Fisheries management from an ecological perspective
Life on land
- Natural and sustainable management of our forests: Reforestation with drought-resistant, site-adapted tree species
- Reduce land consumption/promote land unsealing
- Push politically for the transition to ecological agriculture
We want to meet the needs of current and future generations. The focal points of our public services include efficient wastewater disposal, the supply of good quality raw water for drinking water production, flood risk management, increasing the climate resilience of the dam system and all associated adaptations to climate change.
Environmental and climate protection are efficiently supported with the help of new technologies. The preservation of biodiversity and species diversity in and around our waters is a key objective. The Ruhrverband has also formulated the goal of achieving a balanced greenhouse gas balance by 2030 in its corporate strategy. Overall, sustainability is a central pillar of our core business.