Procurement and environmental protection
It is a stated aim of Hannover Re to keep the negative ecological impacts of its business activities as low as possible. The focus of our environmental efforts is on reducing CO2 emissions caused by supplying power and heat to our premises as well as by our business travel. In addition, we make every effort to use (raw) materials in our offices in the most economic and environmentally friendly manner possible. In our procurement we pay close attention to compliance with social and environmental standards when it comes to selecting products and vendors.
Not only that, Hannover Re is a partner in numerous initiatives for climate and environmental protection such as the “Ecological Project for Integrated Environmental Technology” (Ecoprofit) and the “Climate Alliance Hannover 2020”. The energy-saving successes already achieved are regularly publicised in the relevant project publications.
Since 2008 the company has also compensated for the CO2 pollution caused by business flights through voluntary offsetting payments to the international organisation “atmosfair”, thereby supporting selected climate protection projects in developing and emerging countries. We pay similar voluntary offsets for the CO2 emissions from train travel in Germany as well. In addition, we purchased RECS (Renewable Energy Certificate System) certificates from our electricity supplier to promote the use of renewable forms of energy. From 2012 onwards Hannover Re will cover the power requirements at its Hannover location exclusively through renewable energies.
Hannover Re reviews other activities that contribute to the conservation and sustainable preservation of resources within the scope of regular Business Excellence assessments.
The carbon dioxide emissions of 8,123 tonnes caused by Hannover Re in 2011 at the Hannover Home Office location were 98% offset. All in all, CO2 pollution increased by 438 tonnes or 5.7% relative to the previous year. In the year under review, as in past years, Hannover Re again participated in the survey conducted as part of the “Carbon Disclosure Project” (CDP). The CDP serves to gather and publish qualitative data on the subject of climate change in order to motivate investors, businesses and countries to contribute actively to climate protection. Through our involvement we receive information on where we stand with our efforts to economise – especially as regards carbon dioxide emissions – relative to international standards.
The table on the following page breaks down Hannover Re’s consumption and emissions and presents the total figures for electricity, heat, water, paper, waste, business trips and CO2 emissions.
| Resources consumed at Hannover Home Office | 20112 | 20102 | 20092 | 20081 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Karl-Wiechert-Allee 50 and Roderbruchstraße 26, Hannover
2 Karl-Wiechert-Allee 50, Roderbruchstraße 26 and infant daycare centre, Hannover
3 Radiative Forcing Index: 2.7 |
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| Electricity (in kWh) | 8,214,917 | 8,055,429 | 8,014,946 | 7,624,709 | 6,041,890 |
| Heat (in kWh) | 1,859,119 | 2,383,918 | 2,314,009 | 2,051,501 | 1,749,160 |
| Water (in l) | 14,464,500 | 14,722,000 | 12,100,000 | 14,505,000 | 16,571,000 |
| Paper (in sheets) | 9,172,180 | 9,074,300 | 8,488,368 | 9,174,260 | 8,934,350 |
| Waste (in kg) | 257,400 | 297,000 | 327,000 | no data | no data |
| Business trips (in km) | 17,658,598 | 16,018,500 | 15,179,745 | 14,766,598 | 13,379,064 |
| CO2-emissions3 (in kg) | 8,123,000 | 7,685,000 | 9,005,000 | 9,838,000 | 9,917,000 |