Mr. Reichert, what is behind the "KLIMAfit" campaign?
"KLIMAfit" is a project in which companies learn how to draw up their own greenhouse gas balance sheet. They are guided by experts from a consultancy agency. This balance sheet helps companies to identify where they are causing particularly high levels of climate-damaging emissions. This knowledge makes it easier to reduce emissions and costs, as weak points can be identified and targeted countermeasures developed.
The special thing about "KLIMAfit" is that the companies are not only supported by consultants, but are also part of a group of participants from different sectors in the same region. We call it a network project because the exchange with each other offers further added value. The project is funded by the State Ministry of the Environment. At the district administration office, the economic development department and the climate protection team are the points of contact.
What kind of measures can be taken to improve the energy efficiency of companies?
The aim is to avoid emissions and, where this is not possible, to at least reduce them. Which measures make sense depends heavily on the type of company and can also be determined from the greenhouse gas balance. In the case of service companies, it is often the consumption of electricity or heat at the workplaces. Here, the use of efficient technologies such as LED lighting or heat pumps can be a first step. In addition, the roofs can be used to generate renewable energy, for example through photovoltaics, or to reduce the use of air conditioning systems with a green roof.
For transport companies or manufacturing companies, the major levers are more likely to be in processes that involve combustion or in which process heat or cooling is required. Gradually converting vehicle fleets to electric drives, ideally powered by green electricity, is a major step towards reducing emissions. The use of river water for cooling processes or the recovery of waste heat are further possibilities. There are many examples of this in practice.
Why is it worthwhile for companies to improve their carbon footprint and operate sustainably?
Companies that make serious efforts to become climate-neutral can set themselves apart from their competitors. End customers are becoming increasingly aware of these issues, but low-emission products are also becoming more and more interesting for corporate customers. Ultimately, end products, such as vehicles, can also become low-emission in the sum of their supplied parts. The pressure is already increasing within some value chains. Incidentally, employees are also increasingly sensitive to these aspects and are consciously looking for employers who pursue climate-friendly concepts. From an economic perspective, it is also becoming increasingly important to reduce emissions and fossil dependencies - and not just since the war in Ukraine. The price of fossil fuels and the associated emissions will rise in the coming years as resources and CO2 certificates become scarcer. In addition, the so-called EU taxonomy provides for companies with particularly sustainable activities to be rewarded with better conditions on the capital market. Larger companies in particular are already subject to a reporting obligation, the importance of which will increase in the coming years. Taking a serious look at accounting and reducing emissions today is therefore also financially advantageous. For many, "KLIMAfit" is a first step towards systematically tackling the issue.
