It is always a consideration whether the further use of an older device does not require less energy or water than the production of a new, energy-efficient device. Therefore, the energy requirement along the entire product life cycle (from production to use to disposal) must be considered. Companies need the competence to weigh up the right time for a new purchase of devices, but also the determination to then purchase the most sustainable and not only cheapest devices.

LED 'light bulbs' are now available for really all lamps, even with pleasantly warm light colors. Also, think about the lights outside - are they LED as well?

We have to use all suitable areas for photovoltaics (PV), as the variants on open spaces restrict nature and agriculture. A trend is PV on stilts (Agri-PV), so that it can still be gardened or cultivated underneath. But that costs building material. Photovoltaics has become amazingly inexpensive today thanks to cheap panels from China. Unfortunately, there is hardly any money to make from the feed into the power grid, currently about 8 cents per kWh in Germany. Therefore, PV should always be combined with its own electricity storage (own step, see below) so that as much electricity as possible is consumed by yourself. This then saves approx. 25 to 35 cents per kWh (depending on your tariff), which we would otherwise have to pay to the electricity provider. In this way, your own PV system, adapted to your own electricity consumption, pays off after just a few years. If you have a car, you should take into account its consumption (even if it is not yet an electric car). Then the savings are much bigger. The banks like to give loans for PV, quite often it is also being subsidized. In addition, there are also providers who take over the costs and virtually rent the roof area and offer discounted electricity in return. Such providers then form so-called virtual power plants with other houses and their batteries. For such a dependency, you should inform yourself well about what is best for you.

Motion detectors make sense in all rooms including outdoor areas, where we potentially let the light burn for too long, for example in the hallway, basement, garage, etc. Of course, it is important that the light does not stay on for too long.

Standby power consumption is often reminded and extrapolated. For example, if a screen consumes 5 watts in standby, that is 120 watt hours (Wh) per day, i.e. about one eighth of a kilowatt hour (35 cents/kWh). Companies can quite easily calculate for themselves what savings potential all their computers, screens, beamers and even routers have if they do not use StandBy.

Modern lamps require little electricity, and yet it is worthwhile not to let them burn unnecessarily, for example when we are not in the room for a long time. Corridors, toilet rooms, cellars often have the light burning unnecessarily. In some indoor and outdoor areas, companies also sometimes have the light on too long or too early.

Appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers must specify a value for water consumption when buying new. It is therefore worthwhile to compare water and energy consumption equally and also to research corresponding test reports..

We can use rainwater at least for garden irrigation in the case of unproblematic materials of the roof. With significantly more effort also for washing machine and toilet flushing. Even if it takes quite a long time economically before it's worth it, it's a good thing.

Building materials such as concrete, plaster, steel or even aluminum have a high ecological footprint and mean many greenhouse gases. The foamed insulation materials are also in the criticism. In addition, the negative consequences of conventional paints and adhesives are often unknown, which then lead to toxic exhaust gases in waste incineration plants due to ultimately ineffective filters. Natural building materials and colors are significantly more expensive, although the non-natural materials are often extremely expensive when it comes to disposal. So it is the good feeling, the better smell and the healthier building biology that make us do the right thing here.

Solar thermal energy makes it possible to heat water over part of the roof area most of the year and then use it for hot water or even to support heating. It is quite inexpensive in the actual purchase - only pipes have to be laid and the heat for the hot water or heating must be transferred via a heat exchanger. Since solar thermal energy works mainly in sunshine, it is often suggested to install PV modules on the same surface and to electrically heat water over them. The yield in kW is higher with solar thermal energy, but the installation of PV is easier.

Air conditioning systems are also gaining in importance in temperate latitudes. Intelligent construction and ventilation and the use of thermal protection roller blinds can avoid these power guzzlers. In warm regions, a corresponding education of the guests can take place. Often a fan is also useful.

The area we need for rooms and outdoor places means the area that is sealed, the building material that is needed, and most often the room that needs to be heated. If we use the rooms here, possibly sublet them or share them with others (e.g. co-working spaces), we take big steps towards sustainability. Especially in the course of home office, the shrinking of company space is not a step backwards, but a progress.

Car sharing can be organized with your own fleet - also across areas and, if necessary, also for private use after working hours or on weekends.

Local public transport and also long-distance transport by train and bus (in the case of bus, the road infrastructure is still required) means considerably less energy and resource requirements than individual transport with cars or motorcycles. Long-distance buses only perform so well because they are limited to well-used routes, while the train also runs at unfavorable times and has to connect remote places, which then leads to less than half-full trains. Companies can carry out business trips with public transport and encourage or even promote customers and employees in the use of public transport.

What has recently been a successful model in some countries and cities is still a problem in Germany: to give cyclists priority over car traffic. The willingness to ride a bike, even in bad weather, is higher than ever. E-cargo bicycles make it possible to at least do without the second car. A company can do a lot from the bicycle shelter with charging possibility via the company bicycle.

Especially older e-bikes have to be charged more often and in many families the bikes are simply not in order because no one has tools or even a functioning pump. The employer could also set up a repair station here.

No question - leaving the car and taking the bike is a proud feeling and healthy. If you don't want to exhaust yourself - for example on the way to work, you can consider an e-bike. If you have a lot to transport, a cargo bike. Often we can also share a cargo bike with others. And if you shy away from bad weather, you will find great cycling clothing today, which completely refutes the argument. Here, companies can promote their employees.

Many routes and times are not served by public transport. It is often worthwhile to drive in the car together with others. Even if the car is left at home and the times have to be adjusted, it can make us proud to do the right thing with a view to a better world. In addition to carpooling in the circle of acquaintances, there are also portals that organize carpooling - often also for longer trips. As an employer, the municipalities can organize something for their employees here.

We are used to the fact that everything is packed and we don't care much about the packaging. For some foods, the packaging is more expensive in the production than the content. Paying attention to the packaging sends a signal to manufacturers and retailers. Refills are an option as well. For food, there are so-called unpackaged shops or at least the possibility of using deposit containers (own step) or cotton bags brought along for loose vegetables and fruit. To fill up the pantry or to cater for events, attention should therefore be paid to the packaging. Office supplies can be delivered unpacked in deposit boxes (e.g. from Memo).

Consistently separating waste, including green waste, glass and paper, is not as self-evident as can be assumed. Many make little effort here and don't really know what belongs in which bin. The residual waste bin also costs the public sector a lot of money, while the recyclable and green waste bin are free of charge. But also special waste, such as batteries, incandescent lamps, electrical appliances, etc. must be disposed of properly.

Non-recycled paper is often cheaper, but means cutting of forests, contamination of water during production and a high energy requirement. Recycled paper for toilet paper, writing paper, packaging, envelopes, wrapping paper, etc. should be a matter of course today. But we have to pay attention to it and choose it. Recycled paper is also snow-white, but it should then not be bleached with chlorine but oxygen.

Saving paper helps to protect forests - recycling paper also ultimately means more demand for fresh pulp from trees. We don't even need to print many things in the first place, but can save them on devices that we already have. For internal processes but also for dialogue with customers, digital forms should continue to prevail.

Compost toilets are quite controversial - not only because of the proximity to their own faeces, but also because of hygiene, germs, or drug residues. On the other hand, we can no longer give finite artificial fertilizer to the fields and at best collect a little of the nutrients through the sewage treatment plant in order to lead the rest into the seas at the end or to burn the sewage sludge. Compost toilets with microorganisms can ferment faeces and return the nutrients and organic material in cycles of agriculture and the garden. Public compost toilets and also sustainable festivals follow this approach. In terms of approval in the gray area, really comfortable compost toilets are also possible in houses. Odor formation occurs only through the urine. Therefore, compost toilets separate it from the faeces (hence the name separating toilet). Urine is a great fertilizer - we only have to dilute it and of course only apply it to the plants when they also grow. Otherwise, the nitrates will end up in the groundwater with the rain.

After unpacked and for drinks after the tap water, the best thing we can do is to buy our food in reusable containers. (By the way, there are also reusable shipping boxes for office supplies as well as some regional delivery services). Also ask whether the containers are transported empty throughout Germany, or whether North German beer flows into the empty bottle of Bavarian beer and vice versa. Next question, what energy does it cost to clean the containers. Composite packaging or cans that are easy to recycle are the better alternative in some studies. In such studies, it is necessary to look closely at what is being compared. Ultimately, it is important to close regional cycles. Next question, whether the containers should be made of glass or plastic - glass is recycled more often, plastic is lighter and means less energy during transport.

Many things are actually thrown away, although others could still do something with it. It is more convenient for us not to repair it than to have a stand at the flea market or to have to send it for little money. But the good feeling of doing the right thing motivates. A company can avoid garbage here - even if throwing it away probably meant little effort.

Garbage collection as an event also for the clubs with subsequent meeting, possibly sponsored by the local economy, helps to get nature clean and to raise awareness. Companies can sponsor or participate as a team.

In many places, moors, streams, etc. have been lost with the settlement and intensification of agriculture. Renaturalizing this often means an enormous gain for biodiversity, climate and also flood protection.

Insect hotels or just old, higher tree stumps and dead wood on the ground, nesting boxes and, if useful, bat boxes are great ways to maximize biodiversity in your own environment. School classes can also participate here.

In the past, it was considered controversial whether birds should be fed, or whether they forget to find food themselves and instead promote the concentration of many birds in one place diseases. Today it is clear that with our well-kept gardens, leaf vacuum cleaners and perfect combine harvesters, we leave too little for the birds and they have to be fed. Many argue that we should even feed them in the summer.

It is hard to believe that the future of our diet depends on the use of pesticides and their influence on insects that have to pollinate our plants. Many pollinators are threatened with extinction and in addition to the purchase of organic, we can offer these insects flowers on our areas. In fact, some plants are neither bee-nor bird-friendly. On the other hand, fruit trees and most vegetables are already great opportunities to promote bees, bumblebees, etc. At the flower meadows there are one- and multi-year-olds.

Do we harm the regional organic farmers when crops, such as orchards, grow on public land? No, because hardly anyone will be able to take care of it themselves. Rather, the main problem is the use of land. English lawns, ornamental plants, weed destruction, etc. harm the soil and biodiversity. Instead, nature-friendly crops are needed. If a company shies away from the maintenance effort, permaculture and the cultivation of perennial plants may make sense. Also, the cooperation with beekeepers and school classes, the possibility of public gardening and sponsorships are great measures for a better world. Urban gardening is also popular when companies have raised beds on their roofs and offer employees something to relax and have a bite.

Green roofs, at least for garages and shelters, are a good attempt to do something against the surface sealing and the extinction of species. If the areas are oriented towards the sun - to the east, west or south - it can of course also be occupied with PV modules. For flat roofs, the PV modules can be set up and then still grow a little under them. There are also bifacial solar modules that allow light to pass through or also generate energy with the scattered light from the back (although of course a green area does not illuminate the backs as much as a bright tin roof).

Rare and exotic (not invasive) species often have less yields than our standard products (e.g. apples), but they are usually particularly tasty, encourage conversations with others and help to increase biodiversity. Farms should choose robust plants that can cope even with extreme weather. Diversity ensures resilience against specific diseases.

This is about living and working in the region, about strengthening the community. The birdhouse from a social workshop or the PV system from the electrician on site (if he has further training). The award criteria of the municipalities must of course be legally secure. If the work is good, a discreet advertising sign can also draw attention to the craft business in return.

At Fair-Trade, we usually think of the label of the same name - which is no longer in disrepute. But there are also other labels - some rather greenwashing, some quite trying to do better. Fair is not always the same as organic and organic is not always fair (but some labels combine both). The importance is immense: fair working conditions in the world ensure less migration, more climate protection and a more peaceful world. Extremely remarkable is the background of chocolate and the connection between child slavery (!) And the common products from Nutella to children's chocolate to the Mars bar: https://edition.cnn.com/world/freedom-project Companies and events can therefore be pioneers for a better world themselves here in the food or in the work clothes or the hand-sewn football.

Volunteering, whether at the fire brigade, in the sports club or the help in the neighborhood, is enormously important for togetherness and society. Companies can help here to honor volunteering and accompany it through donations.

We experience what happens all over the world when the successful depend on large parts of society: radical currents get influx, the climate catastrophe is denied, hatred against foreigners but also against their own politicians is stoked. Some "ego trolls" who want to punch through their interests are deliberately playing with such a breeding ground when, for example, conservative parties speak of ideology with the progressive parties or an automobile boss is against vaccination in order not to have to close his works, or others complain against wind power and e-mobility and pro-nuclear power without any expertise. Dissatisfied citizens take this up as 'troll lemmings', feel they belong to the common enemy images and complain on social media against everything that means change towards future viability. It is the fight for so-called memes and no longer, as in the past, solely for sovereignty of interpretation, especially since the experts agree on most questions. As uncomfortable as it is, we should therefore stand against it in social media and not wave off in frustration. In our environment, we can also get together with others and talk about politics or the design of togetherness - even if many do not want to talk about politics privately at all, because they have an opinion, but not the feeling that they can support it themselves. For example, there is the Open Society Day and regionally certainly many other initiatives. Politicians can motivate, join a party, go to public council meetings, and participate in demonstrations. Having been to Fridays for Future once is an experience! Companies can show attitude! Ideology is not the opinion of the other, but what is not scientifically proven robustly (i.e. more than a single study). https://www.know-why.net/model/Ch6pG92HeaVbtguDEvK11Iw

Both organ and blood donations or even bone marrow donations cost us overcoming - until we or our loved ones are dependent on it. Here, too, the same applies - those who do it can be proud of themselves. Entrepreneurs can go ahead and release their employees, for example, if it is blood donation during working hours.They also can spread information about the topic and management can be a role model.

Societies must take in refugees - no matter how many there are. To be distinguished from this is the number of those who we can also permanently integrate into our society and also have to with regard to our economy and retirement provision or demographic change. A company should actively anticipate and help to accept people with a migration background within the scope of the legal possibilities. Linguistically, English is sometimes the lowest common denominator that can also be chosen in companies. As far as it is legal, we should help these people.

Social department stores are usually organized as a private sector or as an association. A company can support them with material and financial resources.

Bringing people together in the world is more important than ever in times of globalization. Companies can also get involved here beyond the direct economic interest.

Educational trails, information boards, exhibitions, excursions, etc., if necessary also together with schools and nature conservation organizations.

Globally, conventional cotton is an environmental problem due to the use of sprays and the high water consumption. In addition, the textile factories poison entire rivers and exploit people during conventional dyeing. In addition to ecological cotton, there are other natural fibers with sometimes much less damage to the environment. In the case of virgin wool, attention must be paid to the certification, which excludes animal suffering. By the way, there is now also outdoor clothing made of densely woven organic cotton as an alternative to the plastic fibers. Plastic fibers always allow microplastics to enter the wastewater during washing and microplastics in the environment may lead to multi-resistant super germs - a long history. With the points for clothing, if you do not buy conventional cotton, but sometimes choose recycled and sometimes organic cotton, you can give a full 3 points for both. By the way, organic is also possible with curtains, tablecloths and bed linen!!!

This is about workwear or, for example, in the tourism sector clothing with advertising. Even large, conventional clothing stores sometimes take back old clothes and promise to produce new yarns from them. Often the problem is the quality of short-lived clothing, which is then difficult to recycle and yet ends up in the waste incineration plant or on the dump in developing countries.

This is about workwear or, for example, in the tourism sector clothing with advertising. In particular, the manufacturers of outdoor clothing now use recycled PET bottles for their yarns and they also do without the worst chemicals, such as PFCs. Nevertheless, the question is always whether we have to wear clothes that are designed for the Himalayas in everyday life. Because synthetic fibers also release microplastics from the plastic fleece sweater to the wastewater. Some use a washing bag that is supposed to collect these plastic fiber remains.

This is about workwear or, for example, in the tourism sector clothing with advertising. Vegan shoes and belts are no longer distinguishable from their leather variants. And who pays attention to the fact that the tanning processes do not allow heavy metals to enter the environment or that the leather is certified accordingly? We should be careful with some plastics, such as PVC with plasticizers, which are also not good for the environment.

All major drugstore discounters now have natural cosmetics in all areas - from deodont to lipstick to sunscreen (although sustainable sunscreens are a real challenge, as tests prove again and again). On the one hand, natural cosmetics are usually healthier, and on the other hand, no non-degradable substances enter the environment. In the tourism sector, it is accordingly about the soaps in the toilet facilities and on the rooms including shower gels.

Green IT starts with the devices and goes on to the power consumption from streaming to the use of IT to increase efficiency. The devices are about the use of used or refurbished devices, repairable devices, the recycling of materials and the minimization of questionable raw materials.

Many devices from vacuum cleaners to cordless screwdrivers to TVs are amazingly inexpensive today. Relying on valuable devices that last a long time, or even buying used devices, helps to save raw materials and energy.

Unfortunately, many devices can no longer be repaired at all, for example if the control unit breaks down from the washing machine and costs more than a new washing machine. And yet there are workshops that also repair mobile phones, washing machines, lawn mowers, etc. - and even if it is as expensive as a new device, it is the good feeling of having done something for a better world again.

This does not refer to the skater track or the artificial turf sports field, but motorsport, skiing on artificially snowy slopes, kiting in bird protection areas, sailboats with biocides on the underwater ship, golfing with high use of water and pesticides, quad rides into nature, skydiving, etc. Of course, these hobbies are fun, which is why it is rewarded if we actively choose the more environmentally friendly alternatives here and thus achieve a rethink with others.

Especially at the beginning of the supply chains, there is a lot of environmental pollution but also land robbery (expropriation such as clearing). Paying attention to standards here makes raw materials and precursors expensive. But transparency in complying with and exceeding standards can make a decisive contribution to the better marketing of end products today.

Heat is generated in many production processes. This should be used - at least for your own rooms and the need for hot water, or even for district heating.

To minimize material requirements, on the one hand, the product itself can be lightweight, for example according to the principles of bionics. On the other hand, during production, an optimization of the blanks, the throwing away or complex melting of material can be prevented. This also includes the optimization of quality, which avoids incorrect productions.

Recycling materials are sometimes more expensive - but in the future we will be dependent on the so-called anthropogenic warehouse. However, companies can already advertise with it today. Design for Recycling means that your own products are also as easy to recycle as possible.

Durable products are more expensive in production and companies naturally want to sell new products again after the warranty has expired, partly with planned obsolescence. Many companies also plan the product life cycles (PLZ) accordingly and dose the progress of their products, so that there are regular reasons for new purchases. Dancing out of line here to offer durable, repairable products with a long spare parts warranty also justifies a higher price for a product that they are then proud of for more and more people in the world.

Even organic products often come in small disposable packaging. Here, every producer should look at what is possible in terms of deposit systems (also for transport), recycled cardboard and simply less packaging.

Part of the governance criteria are the possibilities of employees to be part of the company and its decisions, to co-own parts of the company and to have transparent strategies.