What are climate protection projects?
Additionally to avoiding and reducing corporate emissions, offsetting them is an essential part of holistic climate protection. CO2 distributes itself evenly throughout the atmosphere, leading to a uniform concentration of the greenhouse gas around the globe. Consequently, as a company that unavoidably produces emissions locally, it makes perfect sense for us to offset these in another part of the world in the framework of a climate protection project.
By saving CO2 emissions, climate protection projects make an important contribution in the fight against global warming, while simultaneously promoting sustainable development in the project countries. Additionally to protecting the climate, climate protection projects also contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The climate protection projects must meet strict criteria and be audited and certified by impartial organisations. This ensures and confirms that the climate protection projects are, indeed, beneficial for climate protection, i.e. that they irrefutably realise additional climate protection measures, and that the resulting reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere can be clearly measured.
Efficient Energy is promoting hydropower to preserve the habitat of mountain gorillas
Around one third of the remaining mountain gorillas living in the wild can be found in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rangers are trying to guard the region from armed militias who are enriching themselves from mineral resources, wood for the charcoal trade, and animals. Many have already lost their lives in the process. The illegal exploitation is highly lucrative and is financing a horrendous civil war.
97 percent of the population still lives without electricity and, for many, the charcoal extracted from the trees of the Virunga is the only source of energy. Without alternative ways to generate electricity, the entire forest will have disappeared in ten years.
Two small hydropower plants were therefore constructed as part of the climate protection project while simultaneously promoting healthier living conditions and improving the standard of living. With water being used to generate power without fossil fuels, the process qualifies as emission-free. A mainstreaming of renewable energy is essential if global warming is to be halted. The hydropower plants in Virunga National Park are meanwhile supplying 5,000 households and many new small startups with electricity. This fulfils an important underlying requirement for economic development and thereby more stability and peace in the region.
How the project contributes towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Additionally to protecting the climate, the project we are supporting also contributes to many of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, as such, not only has a climate protection effect, but also constitutes a development project.
The flip-sides of the UN SDG tiles below reveal how our sponsored project contributes to the respective sustainability goal.
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Sustainable Development Goals
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Electricity enables economic development in one of the poorest regions of the world.
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The 13.26 megawatt hydropower plant is already supplying 5,000 households and many small businesses through a local microgrid.
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The power plant has created jobs and small businesses, such as a soap factory.
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Propagation of clean technology – further small hydropower plants are planned in Virunga.
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Provision of electricity and development opportunities for all.
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More safety through street lighting in the villages.
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Electricity generation from a renewable source with minimal environmental impact.
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Savings of 46,000 metric tonnes of CO2 per year through emission-free energy.
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The project helps preserve the unique biodiversity and landscape of Virunga National Park.
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Alternative jobs to the illegal coal trade help weaken militias and secure peace in the region.
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Our long-term support enables sustainable development projects in the global South.