London, UK, 12 November 2024 — GKN Automotive, a global leader in drive systems, has achieved a prestigious Gold rating from EcoVadis, a respected independent sustainability assessor, marking a substantial rise in the company’s environmental and social impact achievements. This rating, placing GKN Automotive in the top 1% of participants within its industry and the top 5% of all companies assessed by EcoVadis, underscores the brand’s unwavering commitment to sustainability across all aspects of its operations.
This accomplishment is particularly notable, as GKN Automotive has progressively advanced from a Bronze rating in 2022 to Silver in 2023, and now, to the distinguished Gold level in 2024. The rating reflects the organization’s dedication to evolving its sustainability strategy year after year. As Chief People, Communications, & Sustainability Officer Dr. Clare Wyatt noted, “This recognition is a great validation of all the work we are doing across our sustainability strategy and the collective effort from colleagues across our organisation to ensure sustainability is embedded throughout the business.”
Key Drivers Behind GKN Automotive’s EcoVadis Gold Rating
GKN Automotive’s sustainability journey has included significant steps in 2024, enabling the company to enhance its practices and secure this Gold rating. Among these initiatives are:
Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)-approved Net-Zero Roadmap: This ambitious plan aligns with global climate goals, guiding GKN Automotive toward achieving net-zero emissions and integrating carbon reduction targets that match or exceed industry standards.
Renewable Electricity Commitment: GKN Automotive marked a key milestone in its energy strategy by signing its first Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Recurrent Energy. This agreement signifies a move towards renewable electricity in its energy mix, strengthening GKN’s position as a leader in sustainable energy use within its sector.
Enhanced Sustainable Procurement: To encourage responsible sourcing, GKN introduced a Supplier Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) platform, empowering the company to ensure its suppliers meet robust environmental and ethical standards. This platform not only advances GKN’s sustainable procurement goals but also encourages accountability across its supply chain.
Improved Reporting Processes: In its annual sustainability report, GKN Automotive has enhanced its reporting mechanisms, reflecting transparency and a commitment to sharing progress with stakeholders. These updated processes align with the latest standards, providing stakeholders with clear insights into GKN’s environmental and social impact.
EcoVadis’ Rigorous Assessment and GKN’s Continued Improvements
The EcoVadis assessment evaluates companies across four core categories—Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement—assigning each an overall score out of 100 based on 21 criteria. GKN Automotive’s overall score saw an impressive increase of six percentage points since 2023, rising from 68% to 74%. The most significant growth was observed in the Environmental category, where GKN achieved a 20% improvement, reflecting the impact of its new sustainability initiatives and strengthened environmental practices.
Future Goals and Opportunities for Further Growth
For GKN Automotive, achieving the EcoVadis Gold rating represents not just a validation of its current efforts, but also an opportunity to refine and expand its sustainability objectives. As Dr. Wyatt emphasized, “Being a sustainable business is critical to our long-term future, and this improved rating reflects our work to position our business—as well as our customers’—for this future. Importantly, this assessment further enables us to identify areas for improvement and ensure we’re clear on the steps in reaching our long-term goals.”
With its Gold rating, GKN Automotive has solidified its standing as an industry leader in sustainability and a forward-thinking organization dedicated to addressing environmental and social issues. As the company moves ahead, it remains poised to further its role in sustainable innovation, offering a model of success in an industry increasingly defined by its commitment to positive change.
