Climate protection, sustainability

The Reginee Energy Efficiency Network OWL is part of the nationwide Initiative Energy Efficiency Networks (IEEN).

The network is a joint initiative of the federal government, associations and organisations of the German economy.

The initiator and organiser of the project is the VEA – Association of Energy Buyers.

8 – 12 companies take part in joint meetings three times a year over a period of 4 years and work out potential energy savings.

They share their experiences on the subject and identify topics on which they would like more information.

The participant meetings take place in one of the partner companies each time, so that each participant gets an impression of the other participating companies, intensified by company tours.

The VEA organises the meetings. At each meeting, there are specialist presentations on topics requested by the participating companies. Information is also provided on innovations in energy economics and energy law. The VEA also organises efficiency advice.

The energy efficiency consultation is a component of the network. Here, each participating company is individually assessed to determine which energy-saving measures would be useful.

This provides each company with a package of measures that it can implement in the short, medium or long term, depending on the investment costs.

The topics for the specialist presentations are chosen by the participating companies. There is a sample list of possible topics (see below). These could be energy management systems, battery storage, compressed air, waste heat utilisation, etc.

An online platform enables the participating companies to obtain additional information and exchange ideas.

Climate-neutral together by 2030

Schildmeyer has joined the climate initiative of the East Westphalia Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Bielefeld and the Lippe Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Detmold, which was launched in spring 2022.

The region wants to take a bold step forward!

“With this initiative, we want to involve the highly committed companies and ‘thought leaders’ in OWL on the one hand and motivate other companies looking for an accelerated approach to the topic on the other. Our initiative will show that the economy is not slowing down when it comes to climate protection, but is courageously forging ahead. Because many companies in OWL are already taking responsibility for climate and environmental protection,” says IHK President Wolf D. Meier-Scheuven.

Ambitious target set!

The ambitious goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2030 was developed together with company representatives from both CCIs. The German government has agreed on the target year 2045, the EU on 2050.

Promote consistent action!

Sustainability and climate protection are undoubtedly megatrends and require consistent action. “Many companies are looking into their own climate neutrality and want to achieve this goal in the foreseeable future. We are actively addressing this with our offer of our own climate initiative for the OWL economy,” says IHK Managing Director Petra Pigerl-Radtke.

Accept self-commitment!

Companies don’t need much to take part in the initiative: “The companies have to sign a self-commitment that contains a few rules,” says Petra Pigerl-Radtke, explaining the deliberately simple process. In order to achieve climate neutrality, individual company energy efficiency is to be improved and the use of renewable energies expanded.

Help with accounting!

“We provide a balancing tool with which the participants in the OWL climate initiative can determine their carbon footprint for the company location once a year and thus provide us with data for the overall balance sheet,” adds IHK Managing Director Stefan Sievers. “The company-specific balance sheet data is also the basis for voluntary benchmarking.”

Create a platform for exchange!

The initiative is primarily intended to serve as a platform for sharing good solutions on the road to climate neutrality. Stefan Sievers. “We want to show what is possible and how it can be done.” In addition to the climate initiative, the two regional CCIs also organise the annual “Energy Scouts OWL”.

In the competition, 168 trainees explore energy-saving potential in 40 companies. Both IHKs also organise ongoing events in the environmental and energy sector and offer individual consultations for member companies.

Author: Volksbank Herford-Mindener Land

What does Schildmeyer expect from participating in the climate initiative?

Christiane Kemper replies: We hope to exchange experiences with other companies, especially as other companies from the furniture industry are also represented in the initiative. Why reinvent the wheel when another company has already gained experience?

For our next big project, replacing the heating system in Plant II, we will definitely be networking and exchanging ideas with other companies to find the best solution for Schildmeyer. Because one thing is certain, we won’t be using gas heating again.

Of course, participating in the climate initiative is also good for our image. More and more of our customers are asking about sustainability endeavours in our company and Schildmeyer already has a lot to offer in this respect.”