The goal is clearly defined, the pace is picking up. “The challenge to become climate-neutral by 2050, which has come about as a result of the goals set out by the European Union, is a big one,” says Thilo Brückner, Managing Director of the VDMA Electronics, Micro and New Energy Production Technologies (EMINT). All areas of economy and society must take steps to reduce their emissions. “We must all do our part, and do it today, not tomorrow.”
But whilst many big corporations are advancing rapidly under great publicity, small and medium enterprises (SME) often still struggle. According to the energy efficiency index, for which the University of Stuttgart surveys hundreds of companies from many different industries twice a year, almost half of the companies are unaware of their potential energy savings.
Those who wish to address the topic of climate protection need in-depth know-how and human resources. “While sustainability departments are being set up in some larger companies, SMEs act out of intrinsic motivation and because they are convinced that they should. According to a VDMA study, they have so far not allocated responsibilities or created designated departments,” says Thilo Brückner. That is also confirmed by a recent survey of 285 SMEs conducted by the Handelsblatt Research Institute in cooperation with the German National Association for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (BVMW). It showed that becoming carbon neutral was a high priority for two thirds of companies. 22% have embarked on a company-wide project with the aim to be carbon neutral and 30% have plans to do so. However, 53% say they lack the resources and skills to achieve this.
For that reason, the VDMA offers particular support to SMEs with creating and building awareness within their company, addressing climate neutrality as well as demonstrating initial approaches to actively reduce individual greenhouse gas emissions. The VDMA will also be in attendance with an exhibition booth at The smarter E in Munich. It will also get involved with the topic of climate-neutral companies at the EM-Power Forum.
An increasing number of companies consider climate neutrality a goal of great strategic importance. EM-Power will provide extensive information and put a spotlight on “climate-neutral companies” to identify the most highly promising solutions. In the Special Area for Climate-Neutral Companies at EM-Power Europe, experts will be on hand to explain how emissions can be calculated, reduced and offset. The topic will also be addressed at the EM-Power Forum under the title Exit Strategies – How Companies Can Become Climate-Neutral. Attendees are guaranteed to receive new inspiration and practical tips every day.
Power supply from renewable energy that is simultaneously sustainable, reliable and cost-effective is an important component of climate neutrality. Power purchase agreements (PPA), a direct contract between electricity producers and consumers, could be a solution for this. Companies can find out more at Grüne PPA - Chancen und Herausforderungen für Industrie und Energiebranche (Green PPA – Opportunities and Challenges for Industry and Energy Sector) that will be held alongside EM-Power Europe on May 12, 2022.
Would you like to learn more about how companies and neighborhoods can become climate-neutral? Then visit our topic page "Climate-neutral companies" .
At EM-Power Europe from May 11-13, 2022, there will also be a special area "The path to a climate-neutral company" where up to eight exhibitors can exclusively present their expertise in the areas of balancing, reducing and offsetting emissions.