ERGO initiatives

The ERGO Insurance Group has implemented a considerable number of operational ecology ideas in recent years. Since 2005, a central coordination office has been responsible for consolidating and coordinating the environmental protection activities of the ERGO companies.

D.A.S.’s head office, completed in 1994, boasts a wide range of automatic, state-of-the-art systems, including, where feasible, natural window ventilation, which reduces the need for air-conditioning. A construction benchmark confirms the exceptional energy savings achieved, consumption having been well below that of comparable but more recent buildings. The use of district heating with a high proportion of cogeneration substantially reduces primary energy requirements.

UK-based D.A.S. also strives continuously to reduce the environmental impact of its business operations in the areas of energy, mobility and resources. It obtains energy from renewable sources, sorts waste into 24 different categories, uses recycled paper, and holds seminars to promote staff awareness of good environmental practices at home and in the office.

DKV has had an environmental protection working group since 1992. The Group has instigated the development and implementation of a wide range of environment-related measures (including operational ecology savings, a waste-separation system and keeping staff informed about environmental protection). Environmental considerations were also of paramount importance in plans for the extension to DKV’s head office in Cologne. These included energy-saving improvements to the construction and use of the building (with features such as a double facade, rainwater catchment and green roofing). Neither PVC nor tropical woods were used.

From 2008, we plan to start upgrading the air-conditioning, heating and cooling systems at DKV’s H1 head office building. Efficient techniques will be used to reduce water and energy consumption. We expect as much as a 30–40% reduction in primary energy consumption and a significant fall in carbon dioxide emissions.

DKV’s Spanish subsidiary, DKV Seguros, has been active on the environmental front for many years. It has adopted a number of operational economy measures aimed at conserving resources, and is involved in various environmental projects.

Hamburg-Mannheimer will completely overhaul its building services in the next few years, reducing its high air-convection rates and cutting energy consumption by some 50%. Since 2001, the company has been a member of the "Initiative Pro Recyclingpapier". The initiative is made up of a number of commercial enterprises seeking to promote the more widespread use of recycled paper. This environmentally sound commodity now accounts for around 98% of Hamburg-Mannheimer’s overall requirements.

Victoria’s head office combines long-term economic benefits with eco-friendly technical systems and processes. For instance, 26 of the 28 floors of its office tower do not have conventional air conditioners. The offices can be ventilated by natural means thanks to the building’s external glass skin and an inner façade with windows that open. In summer, warm air rises and is cooled when it comes in contact with the ceilings, which are chilled by a constant flow of cold water.

An innovative control system helps to minimise energy consumption. When staff are absent, the system automatically switches off the electrical appliances and allows the ambient temperature to fall. It also closes radiator valves automatically when the windows are open. Energy requirements are largely covered by cogeneration from a gas-fired, block-type thermal power station. This is both environmentally sound and highly efficient.