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By 2025, 40 to 45 percent of the electricity consumed in Germany should come from renewable energies.

This is what the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) provides.

This goal has already been achieved with 46 percent.

65 percent are targeted by 2030.

"It won't be easy," said Thomas Kusterer, Chief Financial Officer of EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG.

The construction of new wind farms, for example, is making slow progress.

A wind energy park takes around five and a half years from planning to completion.

"It has to be faster."

Kusterer is nevertheless convinced that green electricity can also be produced without subsidies.

Projects like the “EnBW He Dreiht” offshore wind farm in the North Sea, which is being built without EEG subsidies, have shown that.

Four years ago, EnBW made the promise to provide affordable green electricity.

This is what Kusterer still stands for today.

Thomas Kusterer, Chief Financial Officer of EnBW Baden-Württemberg AG

Source: Philipp Nürnberger

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Unpredictable electricity price developments are a risk: “A CO₂ market price would be important in order to have long-term investment security.” One thing is certain: more electricity will be needed in the future.

"We need additional capacities in order to be able to produce renewable energies." Hydrogen would be an option: "There is still a long way to go."

Internal combustion engines will continue to exist

Sustainability is one of the greatest challenges in car manufacturing. At Porsche, it is anchored in the corporate strategy. "Sustainability is always a joint effort," said Albrecht Reimold, Board Member for Production and Logistics at Porsche AG. “We decide together with the suppliers where the energy comes from and how materials are designed. Our Zuffenhausen site is already working CO₂-neutrally, ”says Reimold.

Electric cars are now established on the market.

With the fully electric Taycan, Porsche is on course.

"This puts us at the top of the world", says Reimold.

“It was a big decision to do recycling.” The Taycan, for example, uses recycled fibers that are made from recycled fishing nets, among other things.

The eco-Porsche can be charged from eight to 80 percent in just 20 minutes.

"Others are still attached to the charging station after two hours."

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Even if electric drives are the order of the day - Reimold does not believe in a ban on cars with internal combustion engines.

There will always be regions in Europe where the prerequisites are not met.

“Sustainability has to come from the heart and not through regulations.” The task now is to design the vehicles of the future.

“We always have to be at least four or five years ahead,” says Reimold.

"It's like in sport: you must never rest."

Smoking without risk

Sustainability also has a social component.

Philip Morris wants to create a smoke-free future, stop selling cigarettes and replace them with less risky alternatives.

"We have managed to develop a product that is 95 percent less harmful," said Markus Essing, Managing Director Germany & Austria at Philip Morris.

Markus Essing, Managing Director Germany & Austria at Philip Morris

Source: Philipp Nürnberger

Unlike e-cigarettes, “Iqos” is not supposed to vaporize a nicotine-containing liquid, but rather heat tobacco without burning it.

"This is much more sustainable in terms of consumer health," says Essing.

But e-cigarettes are also significantly less harmful to health than conventional tobacco cigarettes.

More than 100 million people around the world now use e-cigarettes.

Of course, none of the variants is completely risk-free, admits Essing.

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There is huge potential in terms of consumer education.

"The state can create market transparency." With the labeling of packaging one can reach 17 million smokers in Germany.

“We have a clear vision and rely on products with reduced risk.

There is no plan B. “Biodegradable filters are being discussed for conventional tobacco cigarettes.

There are systematic solutions for Europe: “We want to create a smoke-free future.

People should stop smoking or smoke at a reduced risk. "

Pricing for the climate

Climate protection is no longer an option for companies, but a must.

"Without immediate countermeasures we will steer into a catastrophe," emphasized Stefan Schaible, Global Managing Director at Roland Berger.

“The CO₂ pricing is one of the best means there is.” 100 euros per ton is a realistic price to achieve the climate targets.

"Currently only 20 percent of the emissions are priced, that is not enough."

Stefan Schaible, Global Managing Director at Roland Berger

Source: Philipp Nürnberger

Energy-intensive industries such as cement, aluminum and metal production are hardest hit. "You have to build a bridge here as a politician so that companies invest and then gradually take out the subsidies." In retail, a lot is about product differentiation. Schaible: "There is a great willingness among consumers to do something about CO₂-friendly products."

In order to avert the fundamental threat to humanity, there is no alternative to switching to renewable energies. “Don't close your eyes to the future,” advises Schaible entrepreneurs. “Companies have to do their homework when it comes to digitization and sustainability.” Many are already on the right track. “A continuous marathon”, but the signals were recognized. “In the future, the value of a company will also be reflected in its climate protection activities,” believes Schaible.