Munich Re's annual report is carbon-neutral

Offsetting all the emissions connected with our 2007 annual report is part of our carbon neutrality strategy: Munich Re buys emission credits from an Indian wind power project

Carbon dioxide emissions are produced at every stage of our annual report: the manufacture of the paper and its transportation to the printers, the consumption of energy and materials at the printers, and the distribution of our annual report throughout the world. These emissions can be reduced – but they cannot be completely eradicated. For its 2007 Group annual report, therefore, Munich Re has taken compensatory measures designed to avoid CO₂ emissions elsewhere.

To compensate for its own emissions, Munich Re is purchasing emission credits from a wind power project in Maharashtra State, India. The positive effects of this project go beyond feeding green electricity into the local grid: the installation of these plants also expedites the electrification of rural areas and hence supports sustainable economic growth in the region. Furthermore, the promotion of renewable energy sources like wind power is one of the defined goals and objectives of the national development plans aimed at eliminating the problem of chronic electricity shortages. The project meets the stringent requirements of the Gold Standard.

We consider offsetting the emissions connected with our 2007 annual report to be part of our carbon neutrality strategy. Our Munich site will be carbon neutral as of 2009, our entire international reinsurance organisation will have followed suit by 2012.

In the handling of the compensation measures we are supported by 3C Group – The Carbon Credit Company.