GP JOULE joins UN Global Compact Network Germany: Committing oneself to acting sustainably.

With the UN Global Compact, the United Nations has created the world's largest initiative for responsible corporate governance. Participants commit to contributing to a sustainable, equitable global economy in the way they act. GP JOULE shares the values and goals of this initiative – and has now joined the UN Global Compact Network Germany.

"The UN Global Compact aims to shape a sustainable, future-proof global economy. This includes safeguarding our natural livelihoods for future generations. GP JOULE has been dedicated to this task since it was founded. We are now underlining this by joining the UN Global Compact Network Germany," says Ove Petersen, co-founder and CEO of GP JOULE.

With this step, GP JOULE pledges to align its actions with the UN Global Compact's "Ten Principles" in the areas of human rights, labour standards, environment and corruption prevention, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participating companies must demonstrate their commitment to these principles by providing an annual progress report.

Among other things, membership obliges companies to follow the precautionary principle in environmental protection, to accelerate the development and dissemination of environmentally friendly technologies, to support the protection of human rights and to stand up against discrimination. In addition, the participating companies pledge to contribute to achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. This includes, for example, combating climate change, ensuring access to sustainable, affordable energy for all or creating gender equality.

The UN Global Compact Network Germany currently comprises around 940 companies and around 60 actors from academia, politics and associations.

GP JOULE develops overarching sustainability strategy

Even before joining the UN Global Compact Network Germany, GP JOULE defined six values that serve as guiding principles for how the company acts. In addition to fair play and diversity, this also includes sustainability. "The roots of our company lie in agriculture. That’s why we know very well that sustainability means acting in such a way that you can hand over your farm to the next generation with a clear conscience. This principle has always guided us," says Petersen.

GP JOULE is already striving to keep the CO₂ footprint of the individual construction projects as well as in everyday office life as small as possible. These include, for example, paperless administration, video conferencing instead of business trips, a fleet of electric and hydrogen vehicles, and office buildings that are supplied with self-generated local heat from renewable energies where possible. And GP JOULE EPC, responsible for building PV and hydrogen plants, was recently certified by TÜV Rheinland according to ISO 14001 for its environmental management.

"Joining the UN Global Compact offers us the opportunity to bundle the many different approaches we are already pursuing and systematise them in an overarching sustainability strategy," explains Petersen. To this end, GP JOULE is now first preparing a detailed sustainability report with the support of external experts that records the status quo. In the second step, the company defines environmental, social and governance targets against which future progress can be measured.

At the same time, GP JOULE staff will take advantage of the network's training and dialogue opportunities to be inspired and put their own approach to the test. The contents of the trainings and workshops are integrated into the company's trainings and processes.

Securing the basis of life is a global task

The United Nations is not the only institution that has defined goals for sustainable business and links up responsible companies in a network. However, GP JOULE has joined this initiative precisely because it has two dimensions: the local orientation with the UN Global Compact Network Germany, which enables learning and exchange, and the global perspective of the United Nations.

"Securing the earth for future generations is a global task. That’s why we are very happy that, with the UN Global Compact, there is an initiative that stands up for the values worldwide, which is also what we base our activities on," says Petersen.

GP JOULE at the HANNOVER MESSE 2023

Visit us at the HANNOVER MESSE trade fair 2023: GP JOULE shows how a sustainable transformation towards 100% renewable energy works for everyone at stand D45 in hall 12. Visit us from 17 to 21 April and find out how we supply companies, communities and entire regions with electricity, heat, mobility and hydrogen – sustainably and safely. TOGETHER we can make the energy transition happen – fully integrated, regionally and in practice. Always 100% renewable.

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About GP JOULE
As an integrated energy supplier, GP JOULE is active in all areas of the energy value chain: from generating to using energy, from consulting to financing and project planning to construction and service. GP JOULE produces and markets wind and solar power, green hydrogen and heat and makes use of it where it is most effective: in electric and hydrogen-based mobility, in households and in industry. GP JOULE has been shaping the future of energy in Europe from Germany since 2009. With the aim of delivering a secure, independent and sustainable supply of energy. 100 % renewable energy for all.

GP JOULE was awarded the German Mobility Prize 2022 for the hydrogen mobility project eFarm.

Press contact
Jürn Kruse
Corporate Communications 
GP JOULE Group
j.kruse(at)gp-joule.de   
Phone +49 (0) 4671-6074-213 
Mobile +49 (0) 160-1540265

GP JOULE GmbH Cecilienkoog 16  •  25821 Reußenköge  •  www.gp-joule.de