The future is now: experience and shape the energy transition

Voluntary emission reductions provide an important contribution towards achieving climate targets.

cross the globe, the big nations and communities of states like the EU are working on solutions for slowing down global warming as a result of climate change. The Paris Climate Agreement and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) view the 1.5-degree target as the key figure in this context. Governments worldwide are setting themselves ambitious targets for achieving climate neutrality and are budgeting billions of euros for green economic and energy policies. The EU Green Deal, for example, is set to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.

VER certificates: important addition to the climate protection portfolio

The consequences of climate change pose enormous consequences for the economy and industry in terms of the need for reducing emissions. However, not all emissions from production or operational processes can be eliminated by immediately switching to more climate-friendly alternatives. Where it is extremely complex to prevent greenhouse gas emissions, voluntary emission reductions – or VERs for short – are intended to voluntarily offset the emissions elsewhere. They thus clearly differ from mandatory trading of emission allowances for large industries as well as the energy transport sectors. Legally required CO2 certificates are issued allowing emissions of 1 tonne of carbon dioxide each – in contrast, VERs cover the demand for voluntary carbon offsets that can be traded on the open market.