As a service provider in the field of international cooperation, GIZ is a role model for responsible action. Our aim is to help shape a world that will enable future generations to lead safe, secure and dignified lives. For us as a company, this means organising our operational processes sustainably.
© GIZ
Systematic progress on the path towards sustainability
Sustainability is the key to decent living conditions worldwide. It is also a key strategic factor in the future of our company. Our new Sustainability Programme is a systematic continuation of our path towards greenhouse gas neutrality.
In 2025, our Sustainability Programme was comprehensively updated, thereby opening a new chapter on our path to greenhouse gas neutrality. The programme covers the period from 2026 to 2030. Experience gained from the previous programme allows us to implement what we have set out to do in an even more focused manner. As a company, our goal is to be greenhouse gas neutral in all areas no later than 2050, including running our offices and business trips.
Although continuity is at the core of the new programme as we continue to address the key themes of the Sustainability Programme 2021–2025, it is still flexible enough to allow for any adjustments that might be needed up to 2030, in response to changing framework conditions.
Sustainability as an economic success factor
Corporate sustainability, particularly with regard to climate action, is a question of credibility for us. We act sustainably while also improving our economic performance. This is an important precondition for guaranteeing effective and efficient technical cooperation in times of limited resources and growing global challenges. Delivering sustainability within the company and developing it continuously on a strategic level is therefore a key component of GIZ’s Corporate Strategy.
‘Sustainability is the guiding principle of GIZ and therefore crucial to the implementation of our Corporate Strategy. Through an efficient and effective Sustainability Programme, we are creating a credible basis for the transformation of GIZ.’
Focal points of the Sustainability Programme
The Sustainability Programme 2030 focuses on three fields of activity:
- Climate & Energy
- People & the Workplace
- Data & Cost-effectiveness
Specifically, this means the following:
- We intend to make our business model greenhouse gas neutral no later than 2050.
- As an employer, we create a diverse, non-discriminatory and inclusive working environment, and as a commissioning party, we support our suppliers in upholding human and labour rights.
- We continue to systematically digitalise our ESG processes to ensure the targeted and efficient management of our sustainability performance.
We implement the programme effectively and efficiently by setting straightforward priorities and assigning responsibilities clearly within the executive management and key business areas. We track progress in all three fields of activity in a measurable way and document it externally.
Greenhouse gas emissions: our targets for 2030
Climate & Energy is one of the programme’s three fields of activity. We have set ourselves ambitious interim targets on the path to achieving greenhouse gas neutrality. By 2030, our aim is to cut our direct emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), for example from company motor vehicles, by 46 per cent compared with 2019, and to reduce indirect emissions, for instance from business trips, by 27 per cent. We have developed these targets in line with the requirements of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The reduction targets set under our previous Sustainability Programme with a view to meeting the Paris Agreement have already been validated by the SBTi.
© GIZ
Company climate transition
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) supports companies in transitioning to greenhouse gas neutrality. The number of companies globally with climate targets scientifically validated by the SBTi already stands at 10,000. Specifically, SBTi experts examine whether the targeted reductions are consistent with the Paris Agreement. Participating organisations are required to systematically collect and disclose their climate data. The organisations need to be transparent and publish on an annual basis the progress made towards their targets.
30 %
reduction in direct greenhouse gas emissions: GIZ’s carbon footprint since 2019
Key interim goals achieved
We achieved key targets in 2025. The preliminary estimate of the data* for the 2021–2025 period shows that we are right on track in terms of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Both the 30 per cent target under the SBTi for cutting direct emissions (compared with 2019) and the 10 per cent target for reducing indirect emissions will be achieved.
* The final evaluation of the climate and environmental data for 2025 will not be available until mid-2026.
Focus on the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases
Direct greenhouse gas emissions are primarily generated in our properties and by our vehicles. The potential for savings in this area is greatest in the partner countries. The GIZ Management Board therefore launched an in-company initiative specifically promoting climate action measures in our offices around the world. In 2025, we took a major step forward with its implementation.
Following a successful pilot phase, we expanded the initiative in 2025 to cover the offices with the highest emissions. A total of 17 countries are now participating, including large-scale emitters such as Ethiopia, India and South Africa. The offices can install climate-friendly technologies, such as solar energy systems or low-emission air conditioning systems, quickly and with a minimum of red tape. Car-sharing models, the switch to electric vehicles, measures aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and green electricity procurement are also improving the carbon footprint. The participating offices decide for themselves what measures they implement and share their experiences across the company.
3 questions for Stefan Roth
‘We are leading the way in Ghana with our solar equipment.’
Stefan Roth is Head of Finance and Administration at the Ghana country office. In this interview, he explains how GIZ is setting an example with solar modules on the terrace roof.
What has the country office in Accra done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
In 2025, we installed a new, considerably larger photovoltaic system. We have continued to use the existing (older, less powerful) solar modules from the roof of the country office on a carport and a covered terrace.
As a result, we can now meet more than 60 per cent of our electricity requirement from solar energy. In addition, we have begun to gradually convert our vehicle fleet to electric cars.
© GIZ Ghana / Ingrid Biwole
© GIZ / Niger / Bureau National
© Oussama Hussein
© GIZ Albania
A particular challenge for GIZ is the influence of indirect emissions, so-called Scope 3 emissions. These include business trips by plane, which are often necessary in order for GIZ to be able to provide its services. To optimise mobility, we have introduced a so-called greenhouse gas budget. This voluntary transparency tool focuses specifically on reducing flight emissions and raises the environmental awareness of staff and managers.
We completed the first annual cycle of the greenhouse gas budget in 2025. Various divisions, accounting for around a third of domestic flight emissions, took part. In terms of results, the units clearly exceeded their self-imposed reduction targets of just under seven per cent on average. They succeeded in cutting their greenhouse gas emissions caused by air travel by 9.4 per cent on average against the previous year. Key to this positive result was, on the one hand, the reduction in air travel as a whole. On the other hand, staff prioritised economy and premium economy flights to an even greater degree than in the past when travelling long haul. These are deemed to be lower in emissions as the emissions from a flight are spread over more passengers who take up less space. In terms of achieving our climate goals, this is a clear success.
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