The overall goal is still to avoid emissions

Effective climate action starts with accurate data

We can only make progress on climate action on the basis of accurately measured data, which is why GIZ records all its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Both EMAS and the CSH provide data for calculating GIZ’s GHG emissions, which we publish annually. In doing so, we are guided by the international Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP). It distinguishes between direct and indirect emissions in three ‘scopes’: 

• Scope 1: Direct sources of GHG emissions that are owned or controlled by the company, such as fuel for motor vehicles or heating energy; 
• Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased energy such as electricity or district heating/cooling;
• Scope 3: Other indirect emissions that lie along the value chain and therefore also within the responsibility of the company.

¹ In the sense that it generates net zero greenhouse gas emissions: the emissions that GIZ cannot avoid are offset by retiring high-quality climate certificates from projects where greenhouse gas emissions were successfully reduced.

Our GHG emissions in Germany and abroad in 2020

Our GHG emissions in Germany totalled 7,598 tonnes in 2020. Compared with 2019, the GHG emissions produced by our staff in Germany were 74 per cent down in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic was the main factor in this reduction, with its drastic impact on office-based activities and travel. GHG emissions resulting from remote working are not included in the figures. Mobility accounts for some 63 per cent of all GHG emissions in Germany. These emissions fell by 82 per cent compared to 2019, in spite of the increased workforce. GIZ’s Germany-based workforce rose by 9 per cent compared to 2019. GHG emissions per capita inside Germany were 77 per cent down as a result of the pandemic. GIZ therefore significantly exceeded its goal for 2020 of reducing per capita emissions in Germany by 3 per cent. We want to preserve these achievements even after the pandemic. In 2020, various steps were taken to ensure further progress in the years to come, irrespective of any future impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the right track outside Germany

Even though challenges still exist in terms of data availability and quality, good progress is being made with mapping GHG emissions at the country offices using the CSH. At 43,711 tonnes, absolute GHG emissions outside Germany are roughly six times higher than in Germany. This is due to the large number of locations and staff. But here, too, we have seen a reduction in emissions, which were 62 per cent lower than in 2019. Per capita emissions were 2.31 tonnes (which marked a reduction of 64 per cent compared to 2019). Again, the main factor behind this reduction was the drop in travel and office-based activities, just as it was in Germany. To place the reductions in Germany and abroad in context, it should be pointed out that the business volume in 2020 was 9 per cent higher than in 2019.

² The improved quality of data and modified methodology used in calculations mean that these figures may deviate in part from figures previously published. More information is available in Climate and Environmental Data.