GoGreen – protecting the environment

Our GoGreen programme was developed to establish a systematic approach to achieving our climate protection target. By 2020, we want to improve our carbon efficiency by 30% in comparison with 2007. This also includes emissions generated by the transport services of our sub-contractors, which make up approximately 80% of the Group’s total carbon footprint. We are the first globally operating company in our sector to have set a measurable climate protection target. Improving carbon efficiency will also minimise our dependency on limited fossil fuels, reduce cost risks associated with energy and fuels and prepare the Group for a future in which CO₂ emissions will increasingly be subject to pricing.

We determine and calculate our carbon emissions based on the internationally recognised Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol), which distinguishes between direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by an entity (Scope 1) and indirect emissions resulting from the consumption of purchased energy (Scope 2).

In the year under review, our Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions were approximately 5.6 million tonnes (previous year, according to the Sustainability Report 2009, as at April 2009: approximately 6.7 million tonnes). These emissions resulted from our direct use of roughly 520 million litres of fuel (diesel, petrol etc.) and some 1,300 million litres of kerosene. Furthermore, our facilities consumed approximately 3,500 million kilowatt hours of energy (electricity, natural gas etc.).

The decline in emissions was a product of CO₂ reduction and efficiency measures as well as the economic crisis. We also improved the quality of CO₂ data, which we now record via our financial system. Carbon emissions from sub-contracted transport services will be detailed in the next Corporate Responsibility Report, which will also include a statement on our carbon efficiency in 2009.