Compass for a sustainable future

A future in which nature and the climate are protected, fewer people suffer hardship and society holds together – that’s what Germany wants to contribute to with its sustainability strategy. It has now been relaunched and is setting the pace for the energy transition and climate protection.

Read more

Supply chain law: EU Parliament pushes for “fair” IT

Electronics manufacturers must no longer be allowed to harm people and the environment with impunity, the EU Parliament demands. This should apply to the entire value chain.

Read more

Sustainability strategy overhauled: Sustainability Council welcomes new focus on the major transformation topics

In a first statement, the German Council for Sustainable Development welcomes the fundamental general overhaul of the German sustainability strategy. “It is particularly important that the Federal Government has for the first time identified so-called transformation areas,” says Dr Werner Schnappauf, Chairman of the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE). “Climate neutrality thus moves to the centre of sustainability policy, but land consumption and broadband expansion, for example, are also given high priority.”

Read more

 

 

Are you really investing in a smaller carbon footprint?

Do corporate carbon emissions data enable investors to mitigate climate change‘. Vitali Kalesnik is a partner and senior member of Research …

“Digital Now” – New funding for the digitization of SMEs

To make it easier for SMEs to implement digitization, the new “Digital Now – Investment Support for SMEs” funding program offers financial grants to stimulate corresponding investments in small and medium-sized enterprises – including craft enterprises and the liberal professions.

 

Read more

Germany exceeds climate target

The Corona crisis has put a big dent in Germany’s greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, a target that had long been written off is now likely to be exceeded. But experts warn: A pandemic cannot replace climate policy.

 

Read more

What are the CO2 emissions of a New Year’s Eve rocket?

Admittedly, finding reliable figures on this is difficult. But we assume that, according to statistics, an average of 20,000 tons of black powder with a CO2 equivalent of 4600 tons were sold in Germany last year. This corresponds to a CO2 equivalent of 0.23 tons per ton of black powder.

In Germany, category F2 rockets are usually sold. These have a net explosive mass of 20 grams. This means that the CO2 equivalent of a rocket is 4.6 g CO2e per rocket. This is equivalent to driving a mid-range car 29 meters.

But fireworks can also be done digitally, e.g. with the currently free software FWSim. Assume a rocket explodes digitally for 10 seconds on a 50 inch TV. This has a power consumption of 71 watts; thus 71 Wh. With a CO2 equivalent for the electricity mix Germany with 0.55 g CO2 per Wh, the TV has a CO2e of 39.05 g per hour and 0.011 g CO2e per second. With an explosion duration of the digital rocket, this is then 0.11 g CO2e per rocket. By the way, if you power your TV set with electricity from renewable sources, you have a CO2e of 0.007 g CO2e per rocket.

And is a digital firework more sustainable than a real one? Probably yes, it protects the environment, flora and fauna and it is cheaper. Whether a digital firework is as much fun, everyone has to decide for himself.

Happy new year!

Note: This is not a scientific study, but only an assumption. The numerical values can deviate from reality. Therefore, no liability is assumed for the calculation and the given numerical values.

Bundestag decides Extension of deadline for the registration of third party quantities

On 17.12.2020, the amendment of the EEG was passed by the Bundestag. This means that the deadline for the introduction and implementation of a metering concept for the recording of third-party electricity volumes has been extended. This is justified, among other things, by supply difficulties for the required measuring equipment as well as the publication of the guideline for measuring and estimating of the Federal Network Agency. Affected companies must have created and implemented a measurement concept in accordance with the requirements of §§ 62a and 62b EEG by 01.01.2022.

PeoplePlanetProfit become an Associate member of ResponsibleSteel

We have been a proud ResponsibleSteel member since December 2020. A non-profit organization for members from all stages of the steel supply chain. ResponsibleSteel has developed an independent certification standard and program aligned with the ISEAL Codes of Conduct.

 

Read more

CO2 price calculator for companies

As part of the German government’s climate package, it has been decided to introduce a CO2 price for fossil fuels from 2021. With the CO2 price calculator of the IHK organization, you can calculate the change in costs for your company.

 

Read more