204/02
Berlin, 26 August 2002

German participants arrange a CO2-neutral trip to Johannesburg

Minister Trittin: offset achieved by means of emissions credits

For most delegates and participants in the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the journey to South Africa is a long-distance one. This is also the case for the German delegation, who ratherthan being able to sail or cycle to the Summit, will also have to fly. Nevertheless, the CO2 balance of their trip will be practically offset. As Minister Trittin announced, the journey of around 180German participants will be 2-neutral. This is possible with emissions credits.

On average, each participant and member of the German delegation will generate 7.11 tonnes of carbon dioxide during the trip to Johannesburg. In order to balance out these emissions, the GermanEnvironment Ministry has applied for emissions credits from a climate protection project in South Africa, and will withdraw these credits permanently from the market. Minister Trittin highlightedthat this project, as part of the Clean Development Mechanism, is fully in line with the Kyoto Protocol. One tonne of carbon dioxide emissions equals a price of 8 euro, which means a cost of almost57 euro for each German participant. "This corresponds to the previously uncalculated costs of our Western standards of living", explained Minister Trittin.

The flight for 180 German participants and the transport and energy consumption in Johannesburg will produce a total atmospheric pollution of 1280 tonnes carbon dioxide. The proceeds from theemissions credits total more than 10,000 euro and will contribute to a project involved in the construction of energy-saving houses in South-African townships. This project provides low-incomefamilies with access to loans to finance additional insulation measures. Not only do these families save on heating costs, the carbon dioxide emissions are reduced per house per year by 250kilograms. Minister Trittin emphasised that "the amount of CO2 generated by our journey to Johannesburg will be recouped in South Africa itself."

Further information (in German) can be found at www.klimabalance.de.