Research projects for sustainability

We do research that really matters. And few things matter more these days than activities that aim for a sustainable transformation of industry and everyday life. Some good examples of sustainability research projects at Bosch.
Why our research on sustainability is crucial
Global warming and climate change continue as unbroken trends. The emission of anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHG) – the root cause of climate change – is at a record high, despite all climate targets. And projections describe ever more clearly the negative impacts that can be expected from climate change. This increases political pressure to accelerate climate action. The United Nations (UN) have accordingly formulated benchmarks for states and industries. Bosch Research is taking these seriously, following the company’s motto: With our world-class researchers, we do research that really matters, that impacts the everyday life of Bosch customers for the better. It is our aim to provide answers to the pressing climate issue, and to offer some good research examples of sustainable practices. Accordingly, here are three main research issues we need to consider in order to start a transformation of industry towards electrification, defossilization and use of renewable energy, as well as maximum increase of energy efficiency.
Three main research issues
The latest scientific assessments and the UN Secretary-General’s call for climate action as well as the European New Green Deal, focus on reaching net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 or earlier.
Strong improvement will be needed in both energy efficiency and reduction of collective average carbon intensity – compared to historical developments – in order to achieve the climate targets.
Key trends of upcoming changes in the energy system will include e-mobility, including the electrification of transport and the electrification of building heating – along with increasing the energy efficiency of electrified industrial processes.
Our approach to today’s challenges
Bosch Research does not do research for its own sake. We want to come up with solutions that really make a difference which is why sustainability considerations are crucial. At Bosch Research, we have a lot of scientific answers to questions in this context. We understand sustainability as a “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland 1997), and therefore addresses intra- as well as inter-generational fairness.
Sustainability as such is the result of a balanced harmony of three spheres: economic, ecological and social. A business is sustainable if it persists in acting in a value-preserving and resource-efficient way respecting social needs, rather than striving only for short-term profit. Find out more about economical, ecological, and socially responsible actions of the Bosch Group.
Sustainability as a triad of economy, environment and society

Sustainability projects in various research areas
For Bosch Research, sustainability is not just a buzzword. That’s why we do not only look at the three spheres of sustainability–we have also established several fields of innovation following their needs, such as electrified mobility, chemical energy conversion and sustainability innovations for resource and energy efficiency.

Our research is organized in different fields of innovation. Three of them directly address the topic of sustainability. Read more about our projects at the following sites.