What is Klimaschutz-Unternehmen?

We’re an asso­ci­a­tion of German compa­nies dedi­cated to protecting the envi­ron­ment, founded in 2009 by the Part­ner­ship for Climate Protec­tion, Energy Effi­ciency and Inno­va­tion. As a joint project of the Federal Ministry for the Envi­ron­ment (BMUV), the Federal Ministry for the Economy (BMWi), and the Asso­ci­a­tion of German Cham­bers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), we were funded through the National Climate Protec­tion Initia­tive. The aim of the project was to bring together compa­nies whose outstanding climate protec­tion achieve­ments make them role models for the economy as a whole. ebm-papst was one of the initiative’s four founding members.

In 2013, Klimaschutz-Unternehmen became a regis­tered trade asso­ci­a­tion with a cross-industry struc­ture. The members, various compa­nies of different sizes, are expected to take our combined knowl­edge of climate protec­tion and energy effi­ciency measures and spread it to the wider busi­ness commu­nity. With 69 members right now, we see ourselves as a pioneering initia­tive, and develop tools and measures to help with energy effi­ciency in busi­ness. Our goal is to initiate concrete climate protec­tion projects that can also be imple­mented by other compa­nies. One of the prime exam­ples is our “Energy Scouts” project, which has achieved enor­mous reach thanks to the commit­ment of our trainees.

What added value does ebm-papst see in being a member of this initia­tive?

Member­ship in Klimaschutz-Unternehmen provides a number of bene­fits for us. We gain clarity and assur­ance as to which solu­tions and measures are actu­ally sustain­able, while also prof­iting from the valu­able transfer of knowl­edge. The members all exchange ideas about tried-and-tested climate protec­tion solu­tions, learn from the expe­ri­ences of other compa­nies, and gain new incen­tives for our own commit­ment to sustain­ability.

I firmly believe that each and every one of us can make a contri­bu­tion by not just talking about it, but also taking action ourselves.

Markus Mettler, Tech­nical Oper­a­tions Manager & Deputy Chairman Klimaschutz-Unternehmen

Member­ships of ebm-papst

Find out more about Klimaschutz-Unternehmen and other asso­ci­a­tions ebm-papst is involved with.

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We also host work­shops and events where we learn about exciting ideas from compa­nies and start-ups outside the group. This sharpens our focus on new prod­ucts and busi­ness models. Having a direct line to the Federal Ministry for the Envi­ron­ment (BMUV) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) also enables us to bring a busi­ness perspec­tive into poli­tics.

What moti­vates you person­ally to get involved in climate protec­tion?

I enjoy networking and promoting the topic of sustain­ability both inter­nally and exter­nally. After all, when it comes to climate protec­tion, you don’t always have to rein­vent the wheel. You can also learn from other compa­nies. My motto is, “Mache, net schwätze!” (Don’t just talk about it. Do it!) I firmly believe that each and every one of us can make a contri­bu­tion by not just talking about it, but also taking action ourselves.

Instead of waiting for someone else to tackle a problem or issue, you can do a lot your­self. Like Meat Loaf sang, “If you wanna get it done, you gotta do it your­self.” So just get started. Every­thing else will work itself out along the way.