The warming of our planet is progressing at a dramatic pace. The higher temperatures rise, the more cooling is needed, and the refrigeration industry is currently one of the main drivers of climate change. Consequently, in addition to the use of sustainable and energy-efficient refrigeration technologies using natural refrigerants, we are also committed to attempting to reduce our own corporate emissions.
Climate neutrality by 2030? Experts agree that we need to act NOW if we are still to have a chance of meeting the critical 1.5 degree warming mark set as a target in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.
Efficient Energy GmbH is leading by example and in 2020 became one of the first companies in the refrigeration industry to achieve climate neutrality: Certificate of climate neutrality (PDF) and from 2022, the clean tech company will produce its eChiller product series as climate-neutral refrigeration machines Certificate of carbon neutral products (PDF).
In cooperation with Leaders for Climate Action and Climatepartner, we calculated the CO2 emissions output by our business activities, offset them by supporting a climate protection project and took measures to reduce emissions. But that, of course, is not the end of the story – we see climate neutrality as an ongoing process in which we strive for continual self-improvement and will remain true to this Green Pledge.
To reduce our emissions permanently, we firstly took the step of calculating our business activities’ carbon footprint. The calculation and analysis help us understand the areas which account for the lion’s share of direct and indirect emissions and where action needs to be urgently taken.
Our sources or direct emissions, such as those for water and electricity consumption, our vehicle fleet, IT infrastructure and the consumption of office supplies, were compiled for 2019, 2020 and 2021. Since 2019 this let us place our overall corporate emissions at 915 metric tonnes of CO2 for 2019. A more detailed breakdown shows the prime sources of emissions in our company as being: energy consumption; mobility and our IT infrastructure.
After determining our CO2 emissions, the next step was to offset them in the framework of a climate protection project.
This is equivalent to offsetting a distance of 2,84,631 km by car, the melting of 2,745 square meters of summer ice in the Arctic, or the annual CO2 sequestration of 73,200 beech trees.
Move the slider to get even more comparisons for the emissions we offset.
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.
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.
Sustainable Development Goals
Electricity enables economic development in one of the poorest regions of the world.
The 13.26 megawatt hydropower plant is already supplying 5,000 households and many small businesses through a local microgrid.
The power plant has created jobs and small businesses, such as a soap factory.
Propagation of clean technology – further small hydropower plants are planned in Virunga.
Provision of electricity and development opportunities for all.
More safety through street lighting in the villages.
Electricity generation from a renewable source with minimal environmental impact.
Savings of 46,000 metric tonnes of CO2 per year through emission-free energy.
The project helps preserve the unique biodiversity and landscape of Virunga National Park.
Alternative jobs to the illegal coal trade help weaken militias and secure peace in the region.
Our long-term support enables sustainable development projects in the global South.
Determining the company’s emissions and offsetting them are of course important, but avoiding emissions is the real goal.
Based on the calculation and identification of the main sources of emissions, the measures implemented to reduce emissions in 2021 included the following:
The above measures alone will allow us to avoid over 40 percent of our CO2 emissions in 2021.
Where do we go from here? As the pioneer of Clean Cooling Solutions, it’s the natural next step that we, too, should take all possible measures to stop climate change. It’s important for us to identify and analyse further measures to reduce CO2 emissions and then, of course, to implement them.
This page always shows the current status of our implemented climate protection measures. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding climate neutrality at Efficient Energy, our Climate Protection Officer would be happy to answer them.
Efficient Energy GmbH helps you master the challenges of refrigeration technology. With our eChiller model series, companies benefit in the long term and sustainably from an environmentally friendly solution, which impresses with its high cost efficiency.
