Munich Re Foundation From Knowledge to Action
EN

2025 carbon footprint

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    We take responsibility for climate protection through various measures, not only in our projects, but also in our day-to-day organisational activities. For example, we try to reduce the number of flights by using video conferencing, travel within Germany is usually by train, and duplicate travel is avoided. In addition, there are a number of other measures here at our Munich location for which our founder Munich Re is responsible. These also include the transformation to green electricity and heating. Nevertheless, the projects, conferences and office operations of the foundation inevitably cause unavoidable CO2 emissions. These are recorded in the form of a CO2 footprint and offset with the help of a compensation project. 

    CO2 emissions in total 

    In 2025, the total emissions of the Munich Re Foundation amount to 647 tonnes of CO₂. In addition to our own emissions, we also calculate the emissions caused by participants’ travel to and from events organized by us. As a result, events often account for the majority of our emissions — this was also the case in 2025, with around 600 tonnes (93%). Emissions from operating the office (electricity and heating) as well as business travel were comparatively low, at 10 tonnes (2%) and 37 tonnes (5%), respectively.

    CO2 emissions from events

    To determine the emissions caused by an event, the journeys of all participants and speakers are included in the balance. In comparison, the short-term operation of event venues is marginal and does not carry significant weight. With around 599 tonnes of CO₂, the “International Conference on Inclusive Insurance” in Quito, Ecuador, accounts for the largest share (99.8%). This is due to the sometimes long flight distances of the approximately 430 participants. The series of dialogue forums in Munich contributes significantly less to emissions. At 1.2 tonnes (<1%), it represents a small share, as participants generally come from the greater Munich area. Other events hosted by the foundation in 2025 were held virtually.*

    CO2 emissions from business operations

    CO2 emissions from business operations (office and business travel) amount to just under 47 tonnes of CO2: 10 tonnes for the office (electricity and heating) and 37 tonnes for business travel. Air travel accounts for around 99% of these emissions.*/** 

    Development of CO₂ emissions

    Compared to the previous year, the foundation’s total emissions increased by around 80 tonnes of CO₂. This rise is mainly due to the “International Conference on Inclusive Insurance” held in Quito, Ecuador. In contrast to the conference hosted in Nepal the previous year, the event in Quito generated around 85 additional tonnes of CO₂. The decisive factor was the different geographical location of the venue, which resulted in longer intercontinental travel distances for many international participants and consequently higher travel-related emissions.

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    * Emissions from air travel were calculated using published figures from the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA). The transfer distance to and from airports for each journey by plane was taken to be 100 km. For train journeys, a distance of 50 km was taken for transfer to and from the station.

    ** To calculate the emissions of the head office, 1.83 t CO₂ per employee (FTE) were used. This figure is taken from the Munich Re Corporate Responsibility Report 2024.