The chemical industry is a key driver in implementing the Kyoto protocol

The ball is now in the court of the carmakers, their suppliers and the chemical industry: they not only must demonstrate environmental awareness in their thoughts and actions, but also assume a major responsibility in keeping the impact of their activities on the environment as low as possible. And they must contribute to finding new ways of solving growing regional as well as global environmental concerns. In this spirit, Germany, as a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol, voluntarily agreed to reduce climate-relevant emissions by 21 percent between 1990 and 2012.

In rising to the challenge, the German chemical industry alone has set a target for reducing emissions by 45 to 50 percent within that same timeframe. Today, we’re already at the 40 percent mark. In addition, the German auto industry is committed to the principles of sustainable development and corporations within the German Automobile Industry Association (VDA) have promised to reduce the fuel consumption of cars marketed in Germany by 25 percent by 2005 – with 1990 levels as reference.

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