GreenFuture / greenweek-2024

GreenWeek 2024 

Sustainability as a driver of innovation  

The fourth GreenWeek took place from 4 to 8 November, featuring a week of moderated talks, lectures and workshops. This year’s motto was: Sustainability as a driver of innovation. Or perhaps you’re wondering whether innovation is, in fact, the driver of sustainability? 

Sustainability and innovation are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. Sustainability can serve as a strong motivation for innovation, while innovation helps to achieve sustainability objectives.

It’s not an easy question, which is why the PSU – Environmental and Work Protection department, which organised GreenWeek, invited both external guests with valuable insights on the topic and internal experts. Klaus Zellmer, Škoda Auto CEO, gave the opening remarks for the third time. “This annual event is important for both the carmaker and me – because sustainability is one of the key pillars of our strategy to ensure that Škoda Auto will be viable in the future,” said Zellmer. 

The programme was divided into five blocks: Sustainability and Innovation, Mobility for Future Generations, GreenFuture Innovation Three-Cylinder, Sustainability for Every Day, and Focus on Biodiversity. The talks and livestreams covered the Group’s Regenerate+ strategy, ESG, the Zero Impact Factory methodology, vehicle drives in a broader context, electromobility and clean energy, sustainable innovations in the GreenFactory, GreenProduct and GreenRetail areas and, last but not least, projects aimed at promoting biodiversity.

“GreenWeek confirmed our commitment to sustainability with major steps towards the Zero Impact Factory and CO₂ reduction in Production and Logistics. From the use of trains instead of trucks, saving 2,500 tonnes of CO₂ annually, to the digitisation of e-CMR (electronic loading lists – ed.), which is moving us towards paperless logistics, our initiatives are driving real change. The GreenFactory projects continue the circular resource economy, such as the project to safely return treated water back to the Jizera River, and reduce waste by 230 tonnes per year. Thanks to the FabLab, we are also extending the lifetime of our machines and reducing our carbon footprint by 980 tonnes of CO₂ per year,” said Andreas Dick, Board Member for Production and Logistics, on LinkedIn, praising the initiative and the efforts of the Škoda team.

Sustainability for every day

On 7 November, the event moved from the digital studio in Kosmonosy to the Laurin & Klement Kampus, where visitors admired the Škoda Roadiaq student car displayed in the entrance area. However, the main theme here was Sustainability for Every Day, with a particular focus on personal meetings with interested employees. Under the guidance of experienced lecturers, some attendees created a climate mosaic, learned tips for minimalist living, crafted gift bags from old calendars or used their energy to power the pedals of a smoothie bike, preparing fruit cocktails packed with vitamins and endorphins. “Together with the participants, we organised our third book and clothing swap. It was an opportunity to pass on clothes and books you no longer need or to obtain something nice in a sustainable way. Thanks to voluntary contributions, we managed to raise CZK 5,600 for the Znesnáze21 collections supported by the Škoda Auto Endowment Fund. We are deeply grateful to all the participants,” said Hana Cejnarová, Head of the PSU department. 

In the evening, participants enjoyed two documentary film screenings, Bend Down to Earth and Northern Stream. Those who like a challenge took part in a Plogging activity or started a 31-day Zero Waste challenge. The advantage is that you can begin them at any time – not just during the environmentally themed GreenWeek event.

You can view all live recordings in the Media Centre on Škoda Space, where you can also access the GreenWeek info pages.

GreenWeek through the participants’ eyes

Václav Jandík 

Product Owner Škoda Space

SB/S – HR Digitization & Digital Adoption GCC

It was a pleasure to attend one of the events GreenWeek, which that I see as a glorious happening with a significant social impact. I left pleasantly surprised and enriched by the small joys that that made me and my family happy. I am already looking forward to next year’s event.

Jaroslava Bartoňová 

Strategic projects for MGMT

ST – Organization Development & HR Management

I’m absolutely thrilled about GreenWeek, and I think there should be more events like this. It was my first time attending, but I personally participate in various charity fund-raisers. For example, in our department, we did a clothing drive for the Jistoty Domova organisation. One of the books, Talking to Animals, caught my eye, and I bought it for the son of a friend. He loves animals, so I think it will make him very happy.

Dana Kochová

IT System Procurement Support BETA+

BS – Global Series Steering Procurement

I attended GreenWeek for the first time this year and took the opportunity to visit one of the events at the Laurin & Klement Kampus. I was impressed by the variety of stands on display – it felt like there was something for everyone. Personally, I came to check out the so-called sustainable tiles, and since I like to play sports, I was drawn to the idea of “whipping up” a fruity drink by riding a bike. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event because I like to participate in similar events. They inspire me when planning events for our department.

Focus on biodiversity 

This year, participants had the opportunity to learn about three projects from the Krakonoš Gardens grant programme, supported by the Škoda Auto Endowment Fund (NFŠA), via livestream. They also explored the work of the Ivan Dejmal Foundation for Nature Conservation.  

Nature garden: outdoor classroom

Jan Kluger from the NFŠA met Pavel Světlík in Dobré in the Rychnov nad Kněžnou district, in the floodplain of the Zlatý Creek, a site devastated by the flood of 1998. Here, a wetland area featuring a system of pools with abundant aquatic vegetation was created. During the visit, Světlík described several features such as an edible forest, flower-rich meadows, a young arboretum, a fern garden, herb spirals, wild thickets, two bird observation points and numerous habitats designed for various animal species.  

Country paradise: pools

Hana Beňasová visited the Kentaurus zone in Horní Kalná to see the newly created pools shaped like a heart and a crescent moon. She was accompanied by Ondřej Nosek, who explained the morphology of the pools. “We chose the shape of a heart to reflect how my wife and I try to treat nature and shape the landscape around us,” said Nosek.  

Krkonoše Mountains: butterfly kingdom

In June, 50 male Apollo butterflies were released into the Krkonoše Mountains (read more in the December 2023 issue of Škoda Mobil). On this occasion, Kristýna Červinková from the NFŠA spoke with David Číp from the JARO International Nature Conservation Group. She also discussed the challenges of this rescue project with Miloš Andres, a breeder of rare butterfly species, at the breeding station.

Protection of the Jizerské Mountains

In the digital studio, moderator Vlasta Štrunc discussed the protection and restoration of the Jizerské Mountains landscape with Ondřej Petrovský, director of the Ivan Dejmal Foundation for Nature Conservation. In addition to planting trees to make the mountains more stable, natural and healthy, they visited the Jizera River’s peat bogs, which are gradually being restored by constructing small dams. “During rainfall, the peat bogs will better store water, helping to alleviate run-off and reduce flooding. During droughts, they will gradually release water and preserve moisture for the surrounding nature,” said Petrovský.