Environmental management
As a service provider for sustainable development, GIZ has set itself demanding environmental targets. In realising them, it works to the highest level of certification.
GIZ sets out its environmental targets in its Sustainability Programme and Environmental Programme. These targets are based on Germany’s National Sustainable Development Strategy, but the Environmental Programme also incorporates the results of several rounds of GIZ’s Stakeholder Dialogue on Sustainability.
In Germany, GIZ aligns its environmental management with the requirements of the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). EMAS audits the sustainability of individual company sites and is the world’s most exacting certification for corporate environmental management. It sets clear standards, requires ongoing improvements in environmental performance and provides incentives for GIZ’s environmental management work.
Outside Germany, environmental management is organised on a decentralised basis and is the responsibility of country directors and project or programme managers. It is implemented using the company’s own Corporate Sustainability Handprint® (CSH).
Additional information
Additional information
GIZ locations are certified by environmental protection programmes. One of these programmes is the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). It certifies that companies engage in sustainable business practices and take their responsibility for the environment seriously. Additional GIZ sites have been validated since EMAS was launched in 2013 at our main buildings in Bonn, Eschborn and Berlin. This certification is reviewed and reissued every three years. The Meander Building and Campus Forum in Bonn, all GIZ buildings in Eschborn, offices and GIZ-Haus in Berlin and the training sites Kottenforst Campus in Bonn-Röttgen and the International Training Centre in Feldafing are currently certified in accordance with EMAS.
GIZ’s new buildings are constructed in compliance with the standards of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). New buildings are built at least in accordance with the requirements for DGNB gold certification. Building 5 in Eschborn, the Meander Building in Bonn and the seminar building at Kottenforst Campus received the gold certificate. The Campus Forum in Bonn was even awarded platinum, the highest level of the certificate.
GIZ strives to accommodate staff members who cycle to work: In recognition of this, a few locations have also been certified by the German Environmental Management Association (B.A.U.M.) as bike-friendly. Our site in Bonn received the highest honour: the gold ‘FAHRAD-fit’ certificate. The Kottenforst Campus training centre and sites in Berlin have been awarded the silver FAHRRAD-fit certificate.
