Asendorf / district of Diepholz. Climate change – thematically endless expanses. The Asendorf association Climate Protection Activities, or Climproact for short, has come up against it. Trees are planted on the club’s own property (we reported), so-called e-fuels are provided. Now the climate protection association wants to support its member companies in setting up a climate management system and in creating an ecological footprint.
“The planned climate neutrality in the European Union also affects German companies,” explains Climproact chairman Wolfgang Witt. According to him, the EU wants to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 55 percent by 2030. “That can only be done in step with companies and consumers.” Only: There is still no binding legislation in Germany on the climate neutrality of companies. However, specifications and rules for this will probably also be defined in the near future for small and medium-sized companies such as the Diepholz district. “Guard rails and standards for active climate management are already available today in detail,” says Witt.
The Asendorfer climate protectors have expanded their know-how accordingly. Representatives of the association took part in a series of advanced training courses in the field of climate management. You have been certified to have knowledge of requirements, standards and concepts for achieving climate neutrality.
Wolfgang Witt reveals some of the knowledge he has acquired. “On the way to climate neutrality, companies must first calculate their emissions and present them in a carbon footprint,” he has learned. The carbon footprint primarily shows direct emissions, but also indirect emissions from the purchase of performance-related energy. But the indirect emissions of the upstream and downstream processes should also be taken into account in the climate balance.
“Since the downstream activities in particular are often difficult to calculate, many companies opt for a cradle-to-gate approach,” says Wolfgang Witt. According to him, this means that emissions are taken into account from the creation of a product to delivery, ie “from raw material extraction to the factory gate”. The emissions after delivery to the factory gate – for example transport, use or disposal – can also be taken into account, but are more complex to determine.
Companies whose interest has now been aroused: Climproact supports the establishment of a climate management system and the creation of an ecological footprint. But only member companies. “The ecological footprint can be created for the company as well as for products,” explains Wolfgang Witt. Whatever: Avoiding emissions always comes first, followed by emissions reduction. The offsetting of emissions can only be considered subordinate, i.e. participation in climate protection projects.
“This still young division needs a lot of knowledge and is subject to a high level of permanent change,” advises Witt to get help. Help from the Asendorf climate protection association Climproact. Because: “It’s worth it. Successful climate management offers great opportunities to position yourself as a company for the future.” Interested companies can find more information on the Internet at www.climproact.org.
