On October 21, the 5th edition of the Sino-Swiss Business Awards (SSBA), an event organized by the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in China (SwissCham China), in cooperation with the Swiss Embassy and Swissnex in China, was held in Beijing. ABB won the Social Responsibility, Diversity and Education Award for its excellence in sustainability and corporate responsibility, and prior to this was also nominated for the Sustainable High-Tech and Financial Solutions Award.
Sustainability holds the key to this year’s Sino-Swiss Business Awards.
“With their Chinese partners, Swiss companies’ expertise on climate change, water management, green finance and financial resilience can help them live up to the commitments of the Paris Agreement, and to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations,” Swiss Ambassador to China Bernardino Regazzoni said in his opening remarks at the Sino-Swiss Business Awards.
“The solutions they have developed are what we celebrate here today,” he said at the event, during which winners in eight categories were announced. The award ceremony and gala were attended by approximately 450 diplomatic, political and business dignitaries.
“At ABB, we actively contribute to a more sustainable world, leading by example in our own operations and partnering with customers and suppliers to enable a low-carbon society, preserve resources, and promote social progress. As part of our sustainability strategy 2030 we have defined a range of targets that include not only our own employees, but also the communities in which we operate. As part of our engagement, we are providing impactful support for community-building initiatives across three pillars: education, diversity and inclusion, and care in the community”, said Theodor Swedjemark, ABB Group’s Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer.
Lars Eckerlein, General Manager of ABB (China) Ltd. said, "It is a great honor to receive this prestigious award, which is a recognition of the efforts ABB contributes to build a better world and its leading performance of corporate social responsibilities. As a pioneering technology leader with innovation history spanning more than 130 years, ABB in China is committed to leading by example in driving social progress with leading technology and responsible operations to achieve a more productive, sustainable future.”
Sustainability is a key part of ABB’s Purpose and of the value that the company creates for all of its stakeholders. This is reflected in ABB's efforts to help the energy, industry, transport and infrastructure sectors to reduce emissions and protect resources through its energy-efficient products, technologies and solutions. To echo China’s decarbonization ambitions, ABB is accelerating digital innovation, and working with Chinese customers and partners to support the transition of industries into low-carbon and sustainable growth. For example, ABB
- Promoted the development of clean energy by providing converters for 10MW offshore wind convertor project of Dongfang Electric Corp., installing rooftop solar power systems at ABB factories, and working with local partners to accelerate the wide use of hydrogen.
- Helped industry customers improve productivity to reduce energy intensity per capita, e.g., by delivering more than 10 million high efficiency motors and drives to Chinese customers, achieving accumulated energy savings of more than 475 billion kWh.
- Reduced the paint waste and pollution by deploying the innovative PixelPaint technology in automotive manufacturing which applies 100 percent of the paint to the vehicle surface, and refurbish aging robots through recycling program.
- Provided electric vehicle charging, Azipod electric propulsion system, turbocharger and other solutions to support the development of fully electric and low carbon transportation.
- Supported the construction of smart cities by deploying gas leak detection system in more than 30 Chinese cities, providing electrification and smart building control system for Chengdu Tianfu Airport and drive for the air conditioning system of Shanghai Library.
ABB’s key goals is to partner with customers and suppliers to reduce their emissions and to achieve carbon neutrality in its own operations by 2030. The company has defined the ambitious target of helping customers to reduce their annual CO2 emissions by more than 100 megatonnes by 2030. In China, three ABB companies have been certified as "National Green Factories" and more companies have cut the greenhouse gas emissions by half in operation through solar power generation and energy management.
Wherever it operates, ABB strives to create safe, fair, equitable and inclusive working environments in which its people can succeed and develop. An open job market enables its people to manage their own careers within the company. ABB Classroom in the Air provides a virtual learning experience and engage employees to enhance skills by self-learning and best practice sharing. ABB has a target of doubling the number of women in senior management roles to 25 percent as part of the company’s comprehensive diversity and inclusion framework. ABB’s efforts are widely recognized with more awards including the 2020 Employer Excellence China, the 2021-2022 China Healthy Workplace Certification, and the Best Employers in Greater China 2021.
ABB has participated in various charity activities, such as supporting education, caring for senior citizens, planting trees, volunteering in communities, hosting electrical safety seminars and supporting the fight against epidemic. In the field of education, ABB has donated about RMB 16 million accumulatively via ABB-New Great Wall Fund, 16 years in a row, benefiting nearly 5,000 students from 46 universities and colleges. ABB is actively strengthening cooperation with universities and supporting talent cultivation by hosting the annual ABB Cup Innovation Contest. ABB Group executives have been members of mayor’s or governor’s advisors in Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing and Guangdong, proposing forward-looking advices to support China’s economic transformation and sustainable growth.
After four successful editions in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019, this is the fifth edition of the Sino-Swiss Business Awards in Beijing. In different categories, the Awards celebrated the efforts of many Swiss and Chinese companies, particularly for their leadership, transparency, and commitment to sustainable business practices. Companies also showcased distinct results and high level of dedication to the Sino-Swiss business community, Swiss foreign trade and the promotion of Switzerland in China and vice-versa. ABB was awarded the Innovation of the Year 2013 and the Industry 4.0 Innovation and Creativity Award in 2019.
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com
