BSH has set itself the target of becoming the benchmark for the sector – including its handling of ecological and social issues within its sphere of influence. In order to capitalize on new opportunities, BSH concentrates on three action areas:

1. Energy efficiency: To contribute to the efficient use of resources and to climate protection and to set standards for the industry worldwide with energy-efficient and innovative product and production solutions.
2. Responsibility for our products: To continuously improve environmental protection and health and safety throughout the product lifecycle in dialog with politicians, retailers, consumers, suppliers and disposal contractors.
3. Knowledge transfer: To offer the best possible living and working conditions to people over the world through the transfer of BSH standards and experience in production, product design, training and professional development.

BSH reported the carbon footprint of its Group operating activities for the first time for the base year 2006. The calculation method is in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development/World Resources Institute (WBCSD/WRI). The carbon footprint includes all of a company’s CO₂ emissions: In addition to the "direct emissions" (Scope 1) of the production and office sites, it also includes the "indirect emissions" (Scope 2) that result from the generation of electricity and heat by external suppliers. A third category (Scope 3) covers "other indirect emissions" caused by travel, customer service activities, and the transport of goods to customers. 
The 2010 carbon footprint amounts to 475,000 metric tons of CO₂ (adjusted prior-year value: 400,000 metric tons). Around eleven percent of this total comes from direct emissions linked to oil and gas consumption at the BSH factories. Indirect emissions resulting from energy consumption at the production and office sites account for 58 percent of total CO₂ emissions. Business travel accounts for around ten percent, goods distribution logistics and customer service activities for 21 percent. BSH started ascertaining the factory-specific carbon dioxide emission values for electricity and district heating using data obtained directly from the power generation companies in 2008. Figures for previous years are based on the country-specific data provided by the International Energy Agency (IEA).