The road to zero: Finzelberg reduces CO2e emissions by 25 percent in 2021, will be climate-neutral in Scopes 1, 2 and 3 from 2025

Finzelberg and all the other companies in the nature network have set themselves the goal of producing no carbon footprint, both at their own sites and in their supply chains around
the globe. Finzelberg is a pioneer within the group: it will be the first division to achieve climate neutrality – by 2025, a full five years earlier than originally planned. Finzelberg has published TÜV- certified proof that it reduced its CO₂e emissions by a total of 4,300 tonnes within a single year.

Consistent reduction efforts
Finzelberg is pursuing its goal with dedication and great success. Following thorough scrutiny of the 2021 carbon footprint calculations, TÜV Rheinland has confirmed that Finzelberg reduced its
emissions by 4,300 tonnes, or 25 percent. The independent certification body checked that the data in the carbon footprint were genuine, plausible, complete, and in line with the international Greenhouse Gas Protocol. In 2021 Finzelberg left a carbon footprint of almost 13,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in Scopes 1, 2 and 3 (not including procured raw materials). “I am deeply impressed by the success the Finzelberg team have had with their commitment to sustainability over the past decade,” says Finzelberg CEO Michael Braig. “It makes me very proud that our staff have demonstrated such passion, tenacity and creativity in the pursuit of the company’s sustainable development.”

Finzelberg’s climate strategy
The most important components of the group’s climate strategy are: measure, reduce, avoid. Only those CO₂e emissions that cannot be reduced or avoided should be compensated for through the promotion of high-quality, certified climate protection projects. The group has its progress on its journey
towards climate neutrality assessed by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which it joined in 2022. In 2023 it is submitting its science-based reduction targets to the SBTi for scrutiny and validation.

EMAS since 2023, energy management since 2014
Finzelberg has been consistently working to reduce its carbon footprint since 2014 – with the help of a carefully conceived energy management system. This year, the Andernach production site also underwent an audit in line with the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), one of the world’s most rigorous environmental management instruments, and passed with flying colors!

How was the result achieved?
A combination of many different measures led to the clear reduction in Finzelberg’s carbon footprint in 2021. The switch to green electricity from August 2020 undoubtedly had the biggest impact. That measure reduced CO₂e emissions by 1,100 tonnes. Other measures included:

• Improved insulation of the hot-water and steam pipes
• The introduction of reusable containers
• The installation of LED lighting
• Upgrade of the heating system in one office building
• Use of recycled paper, and printing on both sides
• The use of hand-dryers instead of paper towels

Finzelberg avoids CO₂e emissions by promoting environmentally-friendly transportation and urging its employees to make use of digital technology for business meetings wherever possible rather than traveling.

Construction of a combined heat and power plant
In the coming months, the next big climate neutrality project will start to take shape: construction of a combined biomass heat and power plant at the Andernach site. This will be the group’s biggest project to date for self-generated heating from renewable energy sources. From autumn 2024, the CHP plant will deliver up to 80 percent of the heat needed for extract production and space heating and will also generate 80 kW of green electricity. The plant will be fueled with woodchips derived from regional windfall timber and forest management waste. This will allow the company to replace 40,000 MWh of natural gas with a sustainable, local fuel source. As a result, Finzelberg will reduce its CO₂e emissions by 9,000 tonnes, taking another giant leap towards achieving the goal of climate neutrality.