Munich Re Foundation - CO2 balance sheet 2008

Total CO2 emissions

The Munich Re Foundation’s total CO2 emissions came to 1,223.6 t, of which approximately 1,154 t (94.3%) related to international events. Emissions due to office activities (electricity, heating), 19.3 t (1.6%), and business travel, 50.5 t (4.1%), were low by comparison.

Fig. 1: Total CO2 emissions (t) attributable to the Munich Re Foundation

In 2008, total CO2 emissions increased by 135 t (12.4%) over the previous year. Again, this was mainly due to the increase in the number of delegates attending the Microinsurance Conference. By contrast, CO2 emissions from business travel decreased, the number of air kilometres being down by 9.6%. Total CO2 emissions from business travel fell by 6 t. Emissions from events increased by 142 t.

Fig. 2: Comparison of total CO2 emissions (t) from 2006 to 2008

CO2 emissions generated by events

Events emission figures were based on participants’ journeys and excluded short-term operation of event venues. The Cartagena Microinsurance Conference was the main source of emissions: 1,066.9 t CO2 (92.6%). However, the 16% increase over the previous year was low compared with the 50% increase in attendance figures (450 participants in all). This was because average kilometres per participant and average CO2 emissions were 27% down on 2007. In second place was the UNU Summer Academy conference, with 85.9 t CO2 (7.5%). Local dialogue forums, where emissions amounted to only 0.9 t CO2 (0.08%), accounted for a very small proportion. Total events emissions rose from 1011.9 t CO2 in 2007 to 1153.7 t in 2008.

Fig 3: CO2 (t) emissions produced by events

CO2 emissions generated by business operations

Emissions caused by business operations (office, travel) totalling 69.8 t CO2, comprise 19.3 t CO2 (28%) from office operations (electricity, heating)* and 50.5 t (72%) from business trips, mainly air travel**.

Fig 4: CO2 emissions (t) generated by business operations

* Since the data for 2008 are not yet available, the data for 2007 were used to estimate emissions caused by office operations.

** An RFI (radiative forcing index) factor of 2.7 is applied to air travel.  It is assumed that each flight involves 100 km of travel to and from the airport.

20 February 2009