The international community has agreed that global warming must be limited to below 2 degrees Celsius - or even better still to 1.5 degrees - to prevent catastrophic consequences. However, the current pledges made by individual states are only sufficient to limit global warming to a maximum of 4 degrees. Closing this ambition gap will require additional and substantial commitment from businesses and citizens. We have recognized that voluntary emission reductions and the compensation of unavoidable emissions are essential to effectively counteract climate change. That is why we have decided to neutralize our CO2 emissions and thus want to make a contribution to a future worth living. Because we not only want to analyze the problems, but also tackle and solve them.

According to the principle of the "Clean Development Mechanism" described in the Kyoto Protocol, greenhouse gases that are emitted in one place on earth and cannot be avoided should be saved by climate protection projects in another place. To finance these, companies buy certificates for corresponding climate protection projects from the six available project sectors (biomass, cooking stoves, solar energy, forest protection, hydropower and wind energy). Each certificate represents 1 ton of CO2 saved by the respective project. There are numerous climate protection projects worldwide, most of which support renewable energy projects. The initiators of these projects receive emission credits for their commitment, which can be traded in the form of climate protection certificates. The amount is measured, for example, by comparing it with the emissions that would have resulted from the construction of a coal-fired power plant.

We commissioned the external sustainability consulting firm Fokus Zukunft to calculate our company's footprint. The emissions balance was calculated using the official Greenhouse Gas Protocol guidelines.

Within the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, emissions are divided into Scopes 1, 2 and 3, each of which covers different types of greenhouse gas emissions. Scope 1 includes direct emissions from own energy plants. Scope 2 includes emissions that are indirectly caused by the provision of energy to the company. Scope 3 emissions are other indirect emissions that occur along the entire value chain.

The calculation of greenhouse gas emissions includes the seven main greenhouse gases defined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Kyoto Protocol: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).

Not all of the seven main greenhouse gases are equally effective. Methane, for example, is 21 times more harmful to the climate than CO2, nitrous oxide 310 times and sulphur hexafluoride even 14,000 times. In order to compare the emissions, all greenhouse gases are therefore converted to CO2. These are then referred to as CO2 equivalents.

The initiators of climate protection projects - mainly renewable energy projects - receive emission credits for their commitment, which can be traded in the form of climate protection certificates. The amount of emission compensation is measured, for example, by comparing it with the emissions that would have resulted from the construction of a coal-fired power plant instead of generating renewable electricity.

The climate protection projects we purchase are accredited, approved and controlled according to one of the three internationally recognized certification standards - VCS (Verified Carbon Standard), UN CER (Certified Emission Reduction of the United Nations) or the Gold Standard developed by WWF. The validation of the project results, in terms of the CO2 savings achieved, is certified by independent testing bodies such as TÜV.

The purchased number of CO2 certificates will be decommissioned. This is important because this decommissioning is a prerequisite for the design and marketing of CO2-neutral companies and/or products. Without decommissioning, a CO2 certificate could possibly continue to be traded on the voluntary market, which would not result in any additional reduction in emissions.

2021/2022
With a total number of 908 certificateswe support hydroelectric power project in India, which has been certified by the United Nations through CER and a wind power project in Turkey, which is certified through the Gold Standard. You can find the project descriptions at: https://www.fokus-zukunft.com/klimaschutzprojekte.html

2020
With a total number of 1385 certificates we support a hydropower project in Uganda which has been certified by Verified Carbon Standard. You can find the exact project descriptions at:
www.fokus-zukunft.com/klimaschutzprojekte.html

Climate change is a global issue, so it does not matter where CO2 emissions are emitted or saved, in the end the sum of greenhouse gases is decisive. In Germany, the reduction or compensation of CO2 is very expensive, but in emerging and developing countries the compensation is cheaper. The Kyoto Protocol, which is binding under international law, therefore stipulates that so-called climate protection projects that avoid or store greenhouse gas emissions should take place where they are most economical. Accordingly, there are many projects in newly industrializing and developing countries, as the potential for savings through new technologies is still very high there and they can be used much more cost-effectively. In addition, the conditions for renewable energy plants (solar, wind, hydro and biomass) are often much more advantageous there. Furthermore, the projects in emerging and developing countries contribute to improving the economic, social and ecological situation and support the realisation of the sustainability goals of the United Nations. For emerging and developing countries, emissions trading is a key driver for the transfer of clean technologies and sustainably oriented economic development.

1. Contribution to the goals of the government, the European Union and the sustainability goals (SDG) of the United Nations

2. Raising awareness among employees, suppliers and customers regarding the handling of finite resources. This changes positively the way energy and other resources are used in the company and in people's everyday lives.

3. Entering the growth market of "sustainable companies". The "climate-neutral" status enables us to distinguish ourselves in our market segment.

4. This currently enables us to play a pioneering role, positioning our company as progressive, innovative, partner-like and forward-looking.

5. Promotes awareness of the energy revolution.

6. Due to the status as a climate-neutral company and the range of services it offers, the company becomes a partner for its customers in the above-mentioned topics.