"We have to rethink and invest": Entrepreneurs join forces to protect the climate

Created: 05/25/2022, 05:40

By: Sabina Brosch

Climate-conscious: 20 companies from the districts of Munich and Ebersberg have joined forces in the Small Theater Haar © Sabina Brosch

20 companies from the districts of Munich and Ebersberg have joined forces to form the “The Climate Neutrals” alliance.

They want actions to speak, not words.

District

– Together against global warming, for energy self-sufficiency and climate neutrality – 20 companies have set themselves the goal.

Initiated by the Energy Agency Ebersberg-Munich, they founded the alliance "The Climate Neutrals".

"We entrepreneurs have to rethink and invest, politics and administration have to create the framework for rapid implementation," demanded Christoph Lohmüller from the company "Riedl Zügerbau" from Feldkirchen.

He is certain that companies will only survive if "we change".

We have known about climate change for many years, "but we acted as if there was no tomorrow".

Lohmüller's company uses about ten percent of the energy that a wind turbine produces.

Therefore, his goal is to actively support ground-mounted photovoltaic systems (PV) and wind turbines.

These are major projects for which “we as an individual company are too small, but which we create together, for example in the climate-neutral alliance”.

“Now, however, we have pressed the reset button”

In order to advance climate protection and the energy transition, societal transformation processes are needed.

"It is all the more gratifying that companies are now leading the way as shining examples, initiators and role models," praised District Administrator Christoph Göbel (CSU).

Years ago, his own house, the district office, did not implement the energy vision that had been set.

On the contrary.

"It was frightening how consumption increased by 25 percent between 2006 and 2014," said Göbel.

“Now, however, we have pressed the reset button.

We have also become a member of the Energy Agency and, among other things, we are dealing with the topic of decarbonization.”

The facts show that companies also have to do something.

Industry and trade are responsible for 42 percent of the CO2 emissions in the district of Munich, in the district of Ebersberg it is 34 percent.

"The annual per capita CO2 emissions in the district of Munich alone are 9.7 tons," says Göbel.

His Ebersberg colleague Robert Niedergesäß (CSU) sees the prospering districts as responsible for ensuring that the future remains intact and "we all have to do our part." This is not only important ecologically, "but also economically".

Three of the first hour are (from left) Erich Schweiger from the Schweiger Brewery, Christoph Lohmüller from Riedl Elevator Construction and carpenter Johannes Rumpfinger.

© Sabina Brosch

Large and small companies from different sectors, from Aying to Zorneding, who have already taken steps towards climate neutrality, have come together to form the “climate neutrals”.

According to Erich Schweiger from Markt Schwaben, his brewery has been working with green electricity for 20 years, has a 900 square meter PV system on the roof and has converted its fleet to electric or hybrid cars.

"Planned a combined heat and power plant with a wastewater treatment plant that produces biogas."

"We can't go on like this anymore"

Johannes Rumpfinger has also roofed his carpentry shop in Hohenlinden with PV systems, the cars are electric, now the climate-neutral conversion of the heating to pellets follows.

"By 2030 we want to be energy self-sufficient." His most important drive to become more climate-neutral are his three children.

He emphasizes: “We can no longer continue as before.

But now it is no longer just about talking, but about acting.”

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As a basis, a greenhouse gas balance for all actions of the "climate neutral" takes place, which the Energy Agency prepares for the companies.

This is followed by on-site visits, "during which we work out a reduction schedule together," said Willie Stiehler, Managing Director of the Energy Agency.

The reduction should primarily be achieved through measures in operation, the residual emissions are offset by compensation.

This can be climate protection projects in developing and emerging countries as well as a contribution to regional projects.

"Anyone who puts their own company on the path to climate neutrality today is making the right strategic decision for the future," says Stiehler.

More news from the district of Munich can be found here.