The companies were awarded for quick and innovative measures to increase energy efficiency as well as investments in renewable energies, digitalisation and the use of green hydrogen. Creative projects of employee motivation in the field of energy and resource efficiency were also honoured with this award.
In a selection procedure, the company's achievements in climate and environmental protection inside the company have been assessed and reviewed by a panel of experts. As a result, Zedler‐Institut was admitted as one of the currently 51 members to the network of the nationwide pioneer initiative German Companies for Climate Protection. The fact that 78 per cent of employees get to work without a car, that 78 per cent of local business trips are made by bicycle, e-bike or e-cargo bike and that 48 per cent of all business trips in 2020 were made by Deutsche Bahn was praised in particular.
Managing director Dirk Zedler states: “The use of bicycles is undoubtedly climate-friendly and healthy. The target of Zedler-Institut is not only to make bicycles and e-bikes more user-friendly, more endurable and thus safer, but also to operate a business that takes as little from nature as possible.”
Good example for other companies in climate protection
Michael Kellner, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, emphasized: “With their commitment in the field of climate protection inside the company, the new climate protection companies make an important contribution to achieving the climate goals. They are therefore models inviting other companies to do the same.”
Joerg Schmidt, the chairman of the Association of German Companies for Climate Protection, pointed out: “The admittance of six more companies into our network underlines the fact that more and more companies are embarking on climate neutrality. The companies have recognised that their commitment to climate protection pays off. And in addition, the commitment to the environment and climate turns out to be a real competitive advantage.”
The Association of German Companies for Climate Protection (Klimaschutz-Unternehmen e.V.) is a cross-sector network of German industry that is committed to achieving Germany's climate policy goals with innovative solutions.
The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) have been awarding companies as Companies for Climate Protection since 2009, thereby honouring their efforts in energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies.
Author: Tillman Lambert
Photo: Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action
