Climate neutrality a major priority
To encourage others to practise sustainable management, you have to be prepared to play your part. Munich Re has set itself the target of achieving climate neutrality at its Munich offices, where half its international reinsurance workforce is based, by 2009. The entire reinsurance group, currently numbering more than 50 locations and 7,000 staff worldwide, plans to realise this objective by 2012.
The primary aim is to increase energy efficiency. By 2012, carbon emissions per employee are to be cut by 10% against the base year 2006. This can be achieved through intelligent power management (shutting down workplace PCs at night), efficient IT installations, and increased videoconferencing. In addition, it means upgrading our office premises by installing better insulation and state-of-the-art cooling systems. We are also investing in futuristic technologies such as solar cells and heat recovery.
On a more prosaic note, Munich Re Munich and ERGO have initiated a scheme to cut down on the number of documents printed.
We are pledged to reduce CO2 emissions by using green power in place of fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal. Green power is obtained from renewable sources (the sun, wind, water) and does not produce emissions. Furthermore, Munich Re is investing in photovoltaic systems. Also in the pipeline are support for reforestation projects and a new biogas plant for our Schloss Hohenkammer location, which will then be completely independent from external power providers. Finally, we will purchase emission credits to offset unavoidable emissions. However, our overall objective is to achieve carbon neutrality as far as possible through our own projects and internal measures, and to regard emission credits very much as a last resort.
Our environmental communications are aimed to a large extent at our employees. Every employee should be familiar with our environmental agenda, its individual milestones and measures. Information on recent developments can be obtained from our internal media as well as at presentations and special events.
In addition, we have made considerate progress at the head office of our reinsurance group in Munich towards reducing the environmental impact of our business operations.