Avoiding harm and harnessing opportunities: e-waste in Ghana

• Conserving natural resources, including energy, water, waste and materials such as paper, is one of the top issues in our materiality matrix.
• GIZ uses two different environmental management systems (one in Germany and one abroad) to take account of the specific conditions prevailing in Germany and in the countries where we operate. Both management systems are based on GIZ’s environmental mission statement. Environmental management
• Environmental management system in Germany: In Germany, GIZ uses the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), which is an extension of the ISO 14001 environmental management standard. EMAS is the world’s most exacting certification for corporate environmental management and requires companies to make continuous, annually verified improvements in their environmental performance. The overriding priority is to steadily reduce GIZ’s environmental impacts and provide evidence of this reduction. GIZ does so in an annual Climate and Environmental Report on the progress made towards achieving our environmental goals. This is presented in an Environmental Statement to the responsible Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) having already been validated by external EMAS environmental auditors. The Chair of the GIZ Management Board acts as the company’s EMAS environmental management representative. Our Environmental Management Officer is based in GIZ’s Sustainability Office. The Officer launches and monitors all necessary steps within the company that are relevant for the EMAS system and coordinates implementation of environment-related measures laid out in the Sustainability Programme in close consultation with other units. (NH-Governance of GIZ). Our registered offices in Bonn and Eschborn and our representation in Berlin first gained EMAS certification in 2013. Other buildings in Berlin, Bonn and Feldafing were included in the scheme over subsequent years.
• Environmental management system in partner countries: To record our progress in the field of sustainability in the countries in which GIZ operates, we use the Corporate Sustainability Handprint^® (CSH). The CSH provides the GIZ workforce with a uniform framework for corporate sustainability and therefore also for environmental management. GIZ has collected climate and environmental data every year in all its partner countries and country offices since 2018. While the quality of data is not yet comparable with the data for Germany, it is steadily improving. When we record environmental data, we distinguish between an ‘environmental footprint’ and an ‘environmental handprint’. While an environmental footprint measures water consumption, for instance, and CO₂ emissions, the handprint documents active contributions towards sustainability, such as using solar panels rather than generators and arranging carpools for commuters. It also covers issues like raising awareness of health issues, diversity and human rights, and ensuring sustainable procurement. GIZ encourages its teams on the ground to optimise their sustainability balance sheet.
• Risk management: Under EMAS, environmentally relevant opportunities and risks are analysed at least once a year and are made an active focus. Wherever possible, objectives and measures are established in order to harness opportunities and minimise risks. At project level, GIZ has introduced a systematic appraisal process that allows us to identify external risks and unintended adverse impacts at an early stage. We can thus plan our projects accordingly, ensuring that people and other protected resources can be shielded more effectively. The Safeguards+Gender Management System is used to ensure that the projects of all commissioning parties and clients are environmentally and socially compatible. Climate, which is one of the safeguards, investigates the impact of a project on climate change, in terms of GHG emissions, and considers the need to adapt to the consequences of climate change. The assets protected by the environmental safeguard include people; biological diversity (animals, plants, microorganisms, etc.); ecosystems and their services; soil, water and air; cultural assets and other objects; and interactions between these assets.
• Objectives: What used to be the Environmental Programme has been incorporated into our new Sustainability Programme. This essentially addresses the entire GIZ workforce in Germany and in the countries where we operate, and many of its elements concern environmental protection and climate change mitigation. The environmental elements of the Sustainability Programme thus focus primarily on climate management, resource efficiency and mobility.

• Climate change mitigation, energy and climate change adaptation are important topics in our materiality analysis in accordance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) (E1: climate change adaptation; E1: climate change mitigation and energy). A significant aspect, in addition to energy, is the issue of emissions, details of which can be found under GRI 305: Emissions 2016.
• Information on environmental management at GIZ can be found under GRI 301: Materials 2016.
• GIZ intends to reduce the energy it consumes by 20 per cent per employee in Germany and by 10 per cent outside Germany by 2025 compared with 2019. Measures such as energy efficiency analyses and energy consumption checks to identify actions will help to achieve our goals.
• To promote sustainable development, GIZ also intends to make more use of renewable energy. The aim is to increase the installed capacity of photovoltaic (PV) plants to 150 kWp in Germany and to 400 kWp outside Germany by 2025.
• Total energy consumption and the energy mix vary widely between GIZ Germany and our operations abroad. In Germany, our energy consumption figures primarily involve electricity and heating/cooling energy. Heating and cooling energy alone accounts for just over half of consumption. In our partner countries, fuel for company vehicles and generators accounts for a large share.
• However, power supply remains precarious in many of our partner countries, making emergency generators indispensable. In Germany, generators are only used to supply emergency power during maintenance work on the power grid.

• Almost all the power used at GIZ locations in Germany is green. In 2023, some 93 per cent of the electricity used was generated from renewables. The consumption of conventional electricity stems from the use of spaces shared with other tenants, such as reception areas, underground car parks and lifts in leased properties. Wherever possible, we are replacing conventional light bulbs with LEDs at all locations. We are also optimising ventilation systems to save power.
• As a general rule, GIZ measures electricity consumption at all locations where GIZ staff work in our partner countries. Since most countries do not yet generate enough on-grid electricity from renewables, we cannot achieve the same percentage of green electricity supplied to our offices outside Germany as we do in Germany. However, GIZ offices are always looking at where and how it makes economic and environmental sense to use PV systems in our locations abroad. Since the target was set, the number of country and project offices installing or planning to install PV systems has been steadily increasing. Energy efficiency measures are an important aspect: the lower the basic electricity demand, the better the chances of meeting demand in the event of power outages with appropriately dimensioned PV systems and also of reducing the use of diesel generators for peak loads. This is also associated with greater energy security for GIZ locations in fragile contexts. Measures related to energy efficiency and renewable energy therefore complement each other.
• New PV systems were installed at several locations in our partner countries in 2023, for example in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mexico and Albania.
• Many locations in Germany have gradually switched to using biomethane for heating since 2021. In 2023, a further building in Eschborn was connected to this system. Geothermal systems are used in Bonn and Eschborn and at Campus Kottenforst. Additionally, new PV systems and heat pumps were installed at Campus Kottenforst in 2023. There are also plans to step up the use of renewable energy at some locations, for example by installing additional heat pumps and PV systems. This is accompanied by energy-efficient refurbishments such as better insulation.
• Mobility: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant decrease in fuel consumption for cars outside Germany since 2020. In order to keep fuel consumption low in the future, options for establishing context-specific vehicle pooling systems are being explored. In addition, the cross-project procurement and use of motor vehicles are to become standard practice. In Germany, we are prioritising the transition to electromobility. In 2023, two new electric minibuses were put into operation to replace older diesel-powered vehicles. As a result, over half of GIZ’s manageable fleet of 11 vehicles is now fully electric.

• In 2023, the installed capacity of PV plants in GIZ’s locations abroad increased by 120 per cent year on year. With an installed capacity of 550 kWp, the target of 400 kWp set out in GIZ’s Sustainability Programme was achieved. Compared with 2022, energy consumption increased by 4 per cent in Germany and by 6 per cent abroad. Our worldwide electricity consumption in 2023 was about 7 per cent below the 2019 level.
• Our locations in Germany and abroad vary enormously in terms of heating/cooling energy consumption. Overall, energy consumption for heating and cooling in 2023 was largely unchanged on the previous year. Consumption per employee in Germany was 1,775 kWh in 2023, which represents a reduction of around 5 per cent. Outside Germany, where heating systems are available in only a few countries or are partly based on electricity, the consumption figure is lower. 2023 saw a slight increase from the previous year to 219 kWh per employee, which is a rise of approximately 12 per cent.
• The share of renewable energy in Germany rose by 14 per cent year on year to 71 per cent due to a further building in Eschborn having switched to the use of biomethane. Green electricity accounts for a share of 93 per cent.
• Mobility: Direct energy consumption resulting from vehicle fuel plays only a minor role at GIZ locations in Germany. In 2023, the fuel consumption for GIZ’s 11 motor vehicles in Germany was 60,018 kWh.
• GIZ’s core business, implementing projects, happens at its locations abroad. The vehicle fleet consisted of 2,697 motor vehicles in 2023. The fuel consumption of these vehicles was 38,866,303 kWh. This represents a year-on-year reduction of more than 500 vehicles and around 5,000,000 kWh of energy in the field structure. In addition, GIZ is constantly working to increase the share of electric vehicles.
• In relation to the 2019 base year, the energy consumption of motor vehicles in 2023 fell by about 16 per cent in absolute terms.
• Generators: Compared with the previous year, about 11 per cent less fuel was used to power generators outside Germany. This is due to fluctuations in grid stability in partner countries.

[11] Due to improved data quality, these figures differ in part from previously published data.

[11] Due to improved data quality, these figures differ in part from previously published data.

• Climate change mitigation and adaptation are important topics in our materiality analysis in accordance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) (E1: climate change adaptation; E1: climate change mitigation and energy). A significant aspect, in addition to emissions, is the issue of energy, details of which can be found under GRI 302: Energy 2016.
• Information on environmental management at GIZ can be found under GRI 301: Materials 2016.
• Principles:
  GIZ is firmly committed to the Paris Agreement’s 1.5-degree target. The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our time, and climate action is a key concern. GIZ is helping its partners in countries of assignment to implement climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. At the same time, we are setting ourselves goals to reduce our own carbon footprint, in line with the most rigorous science-based, transparent standards and benchmarks. For GIZ’s climate management, prevention takes priority over reduction, while offsetting of unavoidable emissions is a last resort. GIZ bases its climate management on the findings of climate research. In 2021, we were the first development cooperation company to join the global Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). GIZ is thereby pursuing ambitious emission reduction goals that are broken down into different scopes, or emission sources, in line with international standards. In addition to documenting direct and indirect emissions in Scopes 1 and 2, as far as possible GIZ also records greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that occur in the upstream and downstream value chain – Scope 3. GIZ can control and influence these indirect emissions only to a very limited extent.
• Offsetting:
  The emissions that GIZ cannot avoid are offset by retiring high-quality climate certificates from projects where GHG emissions were successfully reduced. We have offset emissions in Germany since 2013 and emissions abroad since 2020. GIZ offsets all direct Scope 1 GHG emissions. It also offsets a number of easily measurable indirect GHG emissions in Scopes 2 and 3 such as those generated by energy use, air travel or commuting. For 2023, these are emissions from commuting in Germany, business trips in Germany and abroad, events in Germany, and fuel- and energy-related emissions in Germany and abroad. Other emission sources are outside GIZ’s control and can be mapped only in part using rough estimates. They are not offset.
• To offset emissions, GIZ acquires certificates from climate change mitigation projects that meet not only environmental but also social sustainability criteria. They comply with the Gold Standard requirements, one of the most rigorous international quality standards, and are verified by the United Nations Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). They also meet the requirements of Article 6 (4) of the Paris Agreement. You can find more information on how GIZ’s CO₂ emissions are recorded and offset in the Integrated Company Report 2021 and climate and environmental data for 2023.
• Objectives:
  Climate change mitigation is at the heart of GIZ’s Sustainability Programme 2021–2025, and reducing GHG emissions at GIZ locations worldwide is our top priority. By 2025, GIZ will reduce its emissions to such an extent that it actively contributes to implementing the Paris Agreement. GIZ has pledged to reduce its direct and indirect emissions – Scopes 1 and 2 – by 30 per cent by 2025 compared to 2019. 2019 was selected as the base year for the targets because from 2020 onwards the COVID-19 pandemic caused distortions. GIZ has committed to reducing absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services, fuel- and energy-related activities, business travel and staff commuting by 10 per cent between 2019 and 2025. Again, 2019 was used as the base year for measuring progress. The data is updated annually and, if new information is available, findings from previous years are corrected.
Taking 2019 as a benchmark, GIZ intends to cut its GHG emissions resulting from air travel inside and outside Germany by 25 per cent by 2025. GHG emissions from the fuel consumption of GIZ vehicles outside Germany are also to be cut by 14 per cent in this period. In addition, GHG emissions linked to commuting in Germany are to be reduced by 35 per cent by 2025.


• The Sustainability Programme 2021–2025 now shifts the focus more to the potential outside Germany. Photovoltaic systems are to be installed at many locations, for instance. This will reduce CO₂ emissions, save energy costs and may reduce the amount of fuel consumed by generators during power cuts.

• Scopes 1 und 2:
  • In 2023, GIZ continued the process of switching from natural gas to biomethane in Germany and further expanded the use of electric vehicles. Energy-efficient refurbishments were also initiated, including the installation of PV systems and heat pumps at Campus Kottenforst, for example. Measures conducted abroad in 2023 included installing 13 new PV systems on a total of 47 office roofs around the globe, procuring additional electric vehicles and organising awareness-raising events for employees on topics such as sustainable mobility and energy and resource consumption. Wherever possible, low-energy, climate-friendly air conditioning systems (‘green cooling’) were procured, although these are only available to a limited extent on markets abroad.

• Scope 3:
  • Step by step, GIZ is improving its monitoring system, enabling it to record other key emissions more accurately and to reduce these wherever possible. However, a number of targeted measures have also contributed to cutting emissions. Wherever possible, business travel is being replaced by online meetings or reduced by grouping appointments. This approach proved successful during the COVID-9 pandemic. Furthermore, all events now meet sustainability criteria and their GHG emissions are accounted for. Measures to raise awareness among our service providers, for instance running online training courses and including standardised information on climate-friendly travel in our contract documents, may also help to reduce GHG emissions in the value chain.

• In 2023, the degree of achievement of Scope 1 and Scope 2 climate goals was a reduction of 15 per cent. Savings in direct emissions from Scope 1 occurred mainly in Germany as a result of the switch to biomethane and of energy savings. Emissions outside Germany decreased slightly. While emissions from motor vehicles and generators fell, emissions from heating and cooling increased. Indirect energy-related emissions from Scope 2 continued to rise in 2023. This is primarily due to increased electricity consumption at locations abroad.
• Scope 3 emissions have returned to the 2019 level. Having fallen in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, emissions rose once again in 2023. Emissions from purchased services increased due to a rise in the procurement volume. By contrast, emissions from business trips fell below their 2019 level.
• Unfortunately, the effects of measures to raise awareness among our suppliers cannot be quantified at present because GIZ – like many other companies – estimates its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from procurement based solely on financial procurement volume and relatively imprecise emission factors. In other words, the volume of emissions reported here varies only according to the volume of services we purchase and is unable as yet to reflect the impact of measures.

[1] Due to improved data quality, these figures partly deviate from previously published data. This applies in particular to the year 2022.

[2] Emissions from electricity were calculated using the market-based method domestically. The location-based method is used abroad.

[5] Estimate based on financial data. These are only emissions from purchased services since these are essential for GIZ. This excludes construction services.

[6] Due to improved data quality, figures may differ in part from previously published data. An estimate was made for foreign countries for the years 2019 and 2020.

[7] Commuter traffic abroad was roughly estimated for 2019 using flat-rate values. From 2020, the values are derived from an extrapolation based on the results of an internal survey of selected locations abroad.

[8] The totals deviate in part from previously communicated figures because data quality has improved thanks to more accurate recalculations.

[9] Data for 2021 and 2022 have been recalculated based on new data.